By Gary Fauber
HUNTINGTON — A veteran starting five will usher in Marshall’s basketball season today.
After that, all bets are off.
The Thundering Herd will welcome North Carolina A&T; into the Cam Henderson Center. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.
All five of today’s starters have starting experience, some more than others. However, point guard Damier Pitts, a Conference USA all-freshman selection last year, will not play today because of a concussion.
Pitts led the Herd last year with 103 assists and was the team’s most clutch free throw shooter.
Also out is junior guard/forward Dago Pena (concussion), who averaged 4.7 points and 2.0 rebounds last year.
Sophomore forwards Camden Miller (right ankle) and Nigel Spikes (left knee) will be game-time decisions.
The starting guards will be seniors Darryl Merthie at the point and Chris Lutz at the two, along with sophomore Shaquille Johnson. Merthie gained a year of eligibility because of his academic progress, Lutz battled shooting problems last season but still averaged 10.7 points, and Johnson, like Pitts, made an impact as a true freshman.
The forwards will be senior Tyler Wilkerson and junior Tirrell Baines. Wilkerson averaged 10.4 points and 6.2 rebounds last season, despite missing more than a month with a broken jaw. Baines had an inconsistent junior season and averaged 8.7 ppg and 4.9 rpg.
The Herd blasted West Virginia Wesleyan 108-64 Tuesday in an exhibition. Wilkerson had 18 points and 17 rebounds in 24 minutes of action. Baines scored a game-high 21 points.
There will be almost no Division I experience off the bench. Miller sat out last season as a transfer from Western Carolina.
Potential was shown among the young players in the exhibition. Hassan Whiteside, a 7-foot, 235-pound freshman forward, scored 14 points, blocked four shots and grabbed five rebounds in 10 minutes. Of course, he also fouled out.
Junior Antonio Haymon, a transfer from Cecil Community College, had 17 points, seven rebounds, three assists, a block and a steal.
North Carolina A&T; (1-0) is coming off Friday’s 92-63 win over Brevard. Guards Nic Simpson and Tavarus Alston scored 21 and 20 points, respectively. Forward Robert Johnson added 18 and center Thomas Coleman and guard Marc Hill both had 11.
The Aggies were 15 of 39 from three-point range, five from Simpson and four from Alston.
The Herd plays at home again Tuesday, hosting Middle Tennessee State at 7 p.m.
