Busting Brackets
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Conference USA Basketball: Preseason rankings for 2020-2021 season

By Sean Cole

SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 06: Charles Bassey #23 of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers reacts in the second half while taking on the Washington Huskies during their game at Hec Edmundson Pavilion on November 6, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 06: Charles Bassey #23 of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers reacts in the second half while taking on the Washington Huskies during their game at Hec Edmundson Pavilion on November 6, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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Conference USA Basketball
Conference USA Basketball Marshall Thundering Herd (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

3. Marshall Thundering Herd

The 2019 Marshall Thundering Herd (17-15 overall, 10-8 (4th) in CUSA) had a season that they are not accustomed to having in Huntington, as the Herd had to some standards a down year, as sixth-year Head Coach Dan D’Antoni was not happy with the start of the season, but had the Herd playing like he knew they could at the end of the shortened season.

Statistically, the Herd were up and down on both defensive and offensive categories but did stand out in several. Fourth in scoring offense (75.9 ppg), fifth in scoring margin (+2.8), second in field goal percentage defense (.403), third in rebounding offense (38.8), and second in blocked shots (5.9) and steals (8.1).

Coach D’Antoni in the 2020 – 2021 Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook was quoted as saying “So we felt like we had raised it up to the level that we should be, and hopefully, knock on wood, we’re going to be better this upcoming year”. Expectations in Huntington are high in 2020.

Coach D’Antoni and his staff have reason for very high expectations for this 2020 season, as the Herd returns 11 players and all five starters back from the 2019 campaign. It all begins with the return of their starting backcourt and preseason 2020 All-CUSA conference team members from 2019 in 6-5 junior Taevion Kinsey (16.4 ppg, 5.0 rpg and 4.2 apg) and 5-11 senior guard Jarrod West (14.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg and 4.1 apg).

Kinsey, as a freshman was an All-CUSA freshmen team member and last year earned second-team all CUSA honors. He was fifth in CUSA scoring, scored in double figures 30 of 32 games, three double-doubles, and was also third in assists in CUSA.

West, last year was named third-team all CUSA team player, as well as being named to the All CUSA Defensive team, while leading the league in steals. He scored in double figures in 28 out of the 32 games played and also had four 20 plus scoring games.

The supporting cast for the Herd includes 6-9 senior Jannson Williams (6.7 ppg and 4.3 rpg), 6-9 junior Iran Bennett (9.1 ppg and 5.3 rpg), 6-9 senior Mikel Beyers (7.1 ppg and 3.0 rpg), 7-0 sophomore Goran Miladinovic ( 3.8 ppg and 2.8 rpg), 6-7 senior Darius George (5.5 rpg 3.6 rpg), 6-5 sophomore Jeremy Dillon, 6-7 redshirt freshmen Dajour Rucker and 6-7 sophomore Marko Sarenac (4.4 ppg and 2.8 rpg).

Adding depth are incoming freshmen 6-8 freshmen Obinna Anochili-Killen, from Chapmansville High School, and 6-4 freshmen David Early from Logan High School. Both Anochili and Early are local products from West Virginia.

Coach D’Antoni in the 2020 – 2021 Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook was quoted as saying “This is probably skill-wise is our best team since I’ve been here at Marshall”. Coach D’Antoni thinks he has the pieces in place to not only make a run at a CUSA title but to also be in the conversation for a spot in the tournament. So, don’t be surprised if you see some dancing in Huntington this coming March.