The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Sports

October 7, 2008

Marshall looks to build on last year's success

By Gary Fauber

After posting the school’s first winning season in seven years, the goal for Marshall’s men’s basketball team is simple: Build on the success of head coach Donnie Jones’ first season.

Even though there will be a substantially new look on the bench, the Thundering Herd is looking to use last year’s 16-14 record and sixth-place finish in Conference USA as a springboard into 2008-09.

“You try to build on all that,” Jones said Tuesday during a recruiting break. “We had a winning year and that’s a good feeling.

“We didn’t like the way it ended, how we went out, losing to Tulane in the first round (of the C-USA tournament). But the kids worked hard in the summer. We have some kids who have been in the program and know what it’s like.”

The Herd returns three starters from last year, including two-time all-conference third-team forward Markel Humphrey. The Atlanta native averaged 13.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game as a junior.

The other two starters back are 6-foot-8, 240-pound junior forward Tyler Wilkerson (9.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg) and 6-6 sophomore forward Tirrell Baines (11.5, 5.8).

Guard Darryl Merthie started 10 of 28 games and averaged 8.1 points and a team-high 2.7 assists.

Four seniors finished their careers last season and two players transferred, while shooting guard Matt Walls left school for personal reasons.

There will be plenty of new faces this season, with three transfers who sat out last season and five first-year players in the mix.

“The good thing is we have the three kids who sat out but were able to practice last year,” Jones said of the transfers. “So really we have seven that are back, although only four of them have played (for Marshall).”

Chris Lutz, a 6-3 guard, came to Marshall after spending two seasons at Purdue. Sophomore guard Brandon Powell played a year at Florida when Jones was an assistant coach, and Octavius Spann arrived in Huntington via Georgetown.

Five new recruits will begin their Marshall careers this season and all are expected to contribute — some more than others.

Guard Damier Pitts led Hargrave to an undefeated season and the national prep championship in March.

Another guard, Shaquille Johnson, is the two-time Florida Class 5A player of the year. The runner-up in 2008 was guard/forward Dago Pena, another Marshall signee.

Forward Kore White wasn’t the player of the year, but he did lead Dillard High to last year’s 5A state championship.

Marcus Goode, a 6-10, 315-pound sophomore center who had to sit out last year, joins the team this season. He last played at The Patterson School in South Carolina, where he was a teammate of Baines.

“Obviously there will be some newness this season,” Jones said. “We’ve got a little depth, but it will take them time to learn the system and figure out where they are.”

Marshall opens practice Saturday with Thundering Herd Madness at the Cam Henderson Center. The event tips off at 7 p.m., with admission prices of $5 for adults and $2 for children 12 and under.

Jones will introduce the team to the crowd before conducting a drills session. The team will then compete in a three-point shootout and slam dunk contest, followed by a 15-minute scrimmage.

The regular season begins Sunday, Nov. 16, at home against WVU Tech. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.

— E-mail:

gfauber@register-herald.com

Text Only
Sports
  • Big12logo.jpg Getting to know the Big 12 Conference

    As West Virginia University moves into the Big 12 Conference, here's one place to come to find out about all of the Mountaineers new league opponents.

    April 18, 2012 1 Photo

  • WVU releases 2012 football schedule

    West Virginia University has released its football schedule for 2012.

    WVU announced Tuesday it has settled a lawsuit with the Big East for an unspecified amount, clearing the way for the conference power Mountaineers to join the Big 12 in July in time for the fall football season.
     

    February 14, 2012

  • WVU settles Big East lawsuit

    West Virginia University announced Tuesday it has settled a lawsuit with the Big East for an unspecified amount, clearing the way for the Mountaineers to join the Big 12 in July.
    Athletic Director Oliver Luck said the terms of the deal were confidential and WVU wouldn’t release details. But Luck said no state, taxpayer, tuition or other academic dollars will be used in the settlement.

    February 14, 2012

  • Shannon leads Woodrow win; Weiford 3 keys Spartans

    February 14, 2012

  • Woodrow holds off Huntington

     It took Woodrow Wilson’s boys basketball team nearly three quarters to figure out that the backside lob was open in Huntington High’s zone.

    January 10, 2012

  • MSU hosts Rio Grande

    For the first time since 1995, Mountain State stands a little past the half-way point at the season with five losses.

    January 10, 2012

  • OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE - WVU to join Big 12 Conference

    The Big 12 Conference Board of Directors have voted unanimously to accept West Virginia University as a full conference member effective July 1, 2012.  The Mountaineers will begin competing in the Big 12 beginning with the 2012-13 athletic season.

    October 28, 2011

  • Friday update: Big East notified WVU leaving for Big 12

    The Big East says it has been notified that West Virginia is leaving the conference and joining the Big 12.

    October 28, 2011

  • Cardinals force Game 7 in World Series

    After one of the greatest games in baseball history, a 10-9, 11-inning victory over Texas in Game 6 in which the Cardinals were twice within one strike of elimination.

    October 28, 2011

  • Schiano sings WVU’s praises

    It hasn’t been the year that Rutgers coach Greg Schiano envisioned.
    Not close.

    December 1, 2010