Marshall University Athletics
Men's Basketball Opens in Rupp Arena Thursday
11/14/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Men's Basketball Opens in Rupp Arena Thursday
11/14/2001
Marshall University?s men?s basketball team will open the 2001-2002 season opposite George Washington in the first round of the Pizza Hut NABC Classic at the University of Kentucky?s Rupp Arena in Lexington at 6 p.m., Thursday. The game, along with all the other tournament contests, will be carried live by Fox Sports Ohio.
??The opportunity to open against George Washington in Rupp Arena with a matchup with Kentucky or Western Kentucky will certainly be a challenge, but its one we are looking forward too,? Marshall Head Coach Greg White said.
The Thundering Herd is led by senior All-America candidates J.R. VanHoose and Tamar Slay. VanHoose, a native of Paintsville, Ky., recorded 20 ?double-doubles? last season and finished third in the nation with 11.1 rebounds per game. Slay, a native of Beckley, W.Va., led the team in scoring with more than 17 ppg last season.
George Washington enters the tournament following a 14-18 campaign in 2000-2001. The Colonials return only one starter from that squad and is now under the direction of first year head coach Karl Hobbs. Thursday?s game will mark the first meeting between the two schools since the 1974-75 season, when Marshall came away with a 63-57 win. The Herd leads the all-time series 5-1.
Depending on the outcome of Thursday?s games, Marshall will play either Western Kentucky or the University of Kentucky on Friday. UK and WKU meet on Thursday following Marshall?s game with the Colonials. Friday?s consolation game is set for 6 p.m., with the championship slated to follw at 8 p.m.