Marshall University Athletics
Bracket Buster Saturday On Tap For Herd Men
2/20/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Bracket Buster Saturday On Tap For Herd Men
2/20/2004
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Marshall will take on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in the ESPN Bracket Buster Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Henderson Center.
Western Kentucky comes to the Henderson Center as part of the ESPN Bracket Buster weekend with a record of 13-11 overall, 7-5 in the Sun Belt Conference. The Hilltoppers have four players who average double-figures, with Mike Wells leading the way, averaging 15.8 points per game. Nigel Dixon, a 6?11, 320 pound senior transfer from Florida State, averages 15.7 points per game, while Anthony Winchester and Antonio Haynes add 14.3 and 12.3 points per contest, respectively. Western Kentucky currently sits at 134 in the RPI Ratings (RPIRatings.com).
In Marshall's last time out, the Herd lost to MAC East Division leader Kent State, 86-65, at the M.A.C. Center in Kent, Ohio, Wednesday night. Marshall cut a nine-point Golden Flash halftime lead to three points early in the second half, but Kent State responded with a 17-0 run to cruise to their ninth consecutive victory. Marvin Black led the Herd with 17 points, while point guard A.W. Hamilton chipped in 15.
Black leads the Herd in scoring, averaging 13.0 points per contest. He also leads the team in rebounding with 7.2 caroms per game. He ranks in the MAC's Top 20 in both categories.
Western Kentucky leads the all-time series, 9-4, but the two teams have not met on the hardwood since the 1961-62 season, when the Herd won 89-84 on December 29th at the Veterans Memorial Fieldhouse. Marshall holds a 4-2 all-time record in Huntington over the Hilltoppers.
Last season in the inaugural Bracket Buster, Marshall dropped a 57-53 decision to Illinois State. A cold-shooting Herd team could not overcome the Redbirds down the stretch after falling behind early in the game. Marvin Black scored 12 points and grabbed a career-high 18 rebounds in the game. Ronald Blackshear led Marshall in scoring with 17 points, although the junior guard made only 5-of-19 shots from the floor.
Marshall will return this year's game to E.A. Diddle Arena next season in Bowling Green as part of a home-and-home agreement. The Herd will also play Illinois State in Normal to complete that home-and-home.
