Marshall University Athletics
Thundering Herd Prepares For Season Opener Against UNC Wilmington
11/20/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Thundering Herd Prepares For Season Opener Against UNC Wilmington
11/20/2003
HUNTINGTON, W.Va.? The Ron Jirsa era officially begins Friday night when Marshall takes on the UNC Wilmington Seahawks in the Cam Henderson Center. Tip-off is set for an 8 p.m. start.
UNC Wilmington comes to Huntington for the first ever meeting between the two schools after winning the Colonial Athletic Association championship three out of the last four years and advancing to the NCAA Tournament. In 2003, the Seahawks took Maryland to the brink of elimination before succumbing to a last-second, fall away three-pointer by Terrapin standout guard Drew Nicholas, while in 2002, the Seahawks, a number 14 seed in the tournament, knocked off Southern California, a three seed, in the first round of the NCAA?s.
However, UNCW?s all-time leading scorer, Brett Blizzard, has departed and the Seahawks return only two starters in senior 6?7 forward Anthony Terrell and 6?3 sophomore guard John Goldsberry. In all, eight letterwinners return this season for UNCW.
Head coach Brad Brownell is in his second season in Wilmington, and has compiled a 24-7 overall record.
Marshall embarks on their toughest schedule in years with Friday?s contest with the Seahawks. In fact, UNCW is the first Division I season opening home opponent since Youngstown State played in the Marshall Memorial Tournament in 1987, and the first NCAA Tournament team to open a Marshall schedule since 1957, when Jule Rivlin?s Thundering Herd team took on Morehead State.
The Herd returns eight letterwinners and three starters from last year?s team which finished 14-15, 9-9 in conference play. Junior guard A.W. Hamilton (Georgetown, Ky.) returns as the Mid-American Conference?s leading assist man (5.5 per game), while senior forward Marvin Black (Cleveland, Ohio) returns as the team?s leading rebounder from a year ago (7.3 per game).
Friday?s contest caps off a triple-header in the Cam Henderson Center. Earlier in the day, the Marshall women host the Fifth Third MU Classic, with Murray State University and High Point University tipping things off at 3 p.m., and the Thundering Herd facing off against Morgan State at 5:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for the women?s tournament and is good for a general admission ticket at the men?s game later that evening.
