Entering his second year of college basketball, ECU guard Jeremy Sheppard comes in as a veteran.

Sheppard averaged 9.2 points per game last season as a freshman with his biggest game being an 18 point outburst against Tulane in early February.

He connected on fifty three-pointers in 148 attempts and started in 13 of the 30 games in which he played. This season he has higher aspirations both personally and for the team.

"I'm very pumped. Me and my teammates have been working hard over the summer trying to build the chemistry," Sheppard said, "The freshmen are looking pretty well so I feel pretty confident about this year."

Sheppard certainly comes in as more of a known commodity to ECU fans and those around the American Athletic Conference.

"I'm going to continue to try to improve my game and make sure the offense is running smoothly, pick it up on defense, pick up the pace and just keep everything going."

With increased experience comes more confidence for the Richmond, Virginia native who hopes to take advantage of what the early playing time last season taught him.

"It just built my confidence as a young player. I'm still learning more, so I'm still getting better," Sheppard told PirateIllustrated.com.

The Pirates showed signs of life at times last year in a 15-18 season. ECU went 12-5 in the comfortable confines of Minges Coliseum, but they had difficulty on the road where they went just 1-11 with a 2-2 record on neutral floors.

Getting off to a good start at home, where ECU will play ten of their eleven out of conference games, could prove vital to having a winning season, something that has been rare for the Pirates.

"That's really big for us. We have to win as many home games as we can which would be good going into conference play. We have to maintain, stick together and we should be fine."

The AAC has proven to be a tough league in basketball with the likes of nationally ranked Cincinnati along with UConn, Memphis, Houston and newcomer Wichita State who along with the Bearcats come in ranked in the top 25 in the preseason.

"It's going to be even stronger with them coming in. We're going to have to be more on our toes and stay as a family and listen to our coaches. With everybody working together, we should be fine.

ECU opens the season at home in Minges Coliseum against Coppin State on Sunday November 11 at 5 o'clock.