Hampton's Joyner learned much from family of coaches

Soon after Hampton and coach Ed "Little Buck" Joyner dispatched Norfolk State last weekend in the MEAC tournament semifinals, Joyner made his way to his team's locker room at Joel Coliseum.

As he walked in, he was holding the hand of one of his sons, 5-year-old E.J., and someone asked E.J. if he would be the next branch of the Joyner coaching tree. "He's got a lot more to learn in life before then," his father said, "but why not?"

Joyner, a Winston-Salem native, is still a young coach at age 38, but as the son and nephew of coaches, he's more of a veteran than his age would indicate.



Hampton has played Cinderella role before in NCAA Tournament

Bobby Collins says he has seen the highlight on TV about a thousand times in the past 10 years. Collins, who just completed his fifth season as the coach at Winston-Salem State, was an assistant coach at Hampton in 2001 when the 15th-seeded Pirates, playing in their first NCAA Division I Tournament, upset second-seeded Iowa State 58-57 in Boise, Idaho.

The clip that might make it to television again in the coming days shows head coach Steve Merfeld, now an assistant at Creighton, being lifted by power forward David Johnson after the victory.

"It doesn't seem like it's been 10 years, it seems like it was last year," Collins said earlier this week. "That's one of the most memorable things I've ever been a part of."

"Big Dance" Interviews: Hampton head coach Ed Joyner

Earlier today CHN writer Jon Teitel spent a few minutes with Hampton head coach Ed Joyner, whose Pirates won the MEAC conference tournament to earn an automatic bid. The 16-seed in the West Region, Hampton will take on top-seed Duke in a second round matchup on Friday in Charlotte. 

Jon Teitel: Your father and uncle are both Division II coaches. Who is the best coach in the family?

Ed Joyner: Right now I think my little cousin Steven is the best. He is the woman's coach Winston Salem State, and he just gets to sit around and talk to all of us!

JT: They grew up living next door to Hall of Fame coach Clarence "Big House" Gaines. Did you ever get to meet him yourself, and what is the most important thing you ever learned from him?

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Hampton Pirates get top seeded Duke

HAMPTON, VA – The Hampton University men’s basketball team, fresh off winning the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament championship, will face No. 1 seed Duke on Friday in Charlotte, N.C. in the second round of the 2011 NCAA Div. I Men’s Basketball Tournament.

The Pirates learned their fate at a Selection Show party Sunday evening in the Student Center Ballroom, erupting in raucous applause and cheers when the school’s name was announced in front of an audience of fans and boosters.

Hampton (24-8), making their first NCAA appearance since 2006, earned the No. 16 seed in the West Region. They defeated defending MEAC champion Morgan State 60-55 on Saturday in the title game for their fifth straight win.

Ex-Trenton mayor: 16th-seed Hampton will shock No. 1 Duke in NCAA Tournament

TRENTON, NJ -- Watch out, Dukies, little ol' Hampton is coming to eat your lunch! So says former Trenton mayor Doug Palmer after hearing that his alma mater is slated to open the NCAA Tournament against the defending national champion and top seed in the West.

Hampton University (24-8) is the 16-seed after winning the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title. On Friday in Charlotte, N.C., the Pirates will face No. 5 Duke (29-4), which beat North Carolina to win the ACC crown and grab a top seed for the 12th time.

But Hampton has history on its side in tournament games against powerhouses.

NCAA MEN'S BRACKET

PIRATES TO FACE DUKE IN NCAA FIRST ROUND

HAMPTON, Va. – The Hampton University men’s basketball team, fresh off winning the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament championship, will face No. 1 seed Duke on Friday in Charlotte, N.C. in the second round of the 2011 NCAA Div. I Men’s Basketball Tournament.

The time of the game has yet to be determined. The Pirates learned their fate at a Selection Show party Sunday evening in the Student Center Ballroom, erupting in raucous applause and cheers when the school’s name was announced in front of an audience of fans and boosters.

“We're excited for the opportunity, and it marks a chance for our program to do something special,” Pirates head coach Edward “Buck” Joyner Jr. said. “It's been 10 years since we last made history, and we want to put that stamp on our program and show the world what we're capable of.”

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