Marshall University Athletics
@HerdMBB to Finish Non-Conference Schedule at Pittsburgh
12/27/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
| Radio | ACC Network | Marshall Game Notes
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Marshall Thundering Herd closes out its 2016-17 non-conference schedule when it takes on the Pittsburgh Panthers on Wednesday, Dec. 28, at 7 p.m.
In addition to coverage from @HerdMBB on Twitter and Instagram, the game can be found on the Thundering Herd IMG Sports Network with Steve Cotton on the call. Live stats will be available through .
HAVE YOU HERD
A last-second shot stopped Marshall from beating its first ranked opponent since 2011, as Marshall fell, 93-91, at No. 24 Cincinnati in overtime. Marshall has scored at least 70 points in 32 consecutive games. Stevie Browning scored 28 points for his fourth consecutive game of at least 20 points of more. Marshall's 17 three-pointers were a season-high. Austin Loop has scored at least two three-pointers in 11 of 12 games this season. Jon Elmore's 20 points mark his seventh game of scoring at least 20 points of more this season, which ties a career-high. It was the first time all season Marshall did not shoot a free-throw in the first half. Ajdin Penava's eight rebounds were a career-high.
SCOUTING THE PANTHERS
Pittsburgh is 7-0 at home this season and have won 15 consecutive non-conference home games against unranked opponents. Pitt has won four consecutive December home games and is 20-2 at the Petersen Events Center since the start of 2012-13 season in the month of December. Head coach Kevin Stallings, in his 24th season manning the sidelines, has won 465 games, which is the 25th most wins among active NCAA Division I coaches. He is in his first season at Pittsburgh. Stallings has led 12 of his teams to 20 or more wins and 16 of his teams to postseason appearances, including nine NCAA Tournament bids. The Panthers were predicted to finish 12th in the Atlantic Coast Conference Preseason Poll conducted by the
ACC's coaches
WHO TO KNOW
The Panthers boast one of the best one-two punches in college basketball, as both Michael Young and James Artis has combined for 45 or more points in a game four times this season and average over 42.0 points per game. Either Young or Artis have led Pittsburgh in scoring in 39 of the past 45 games, including all 12 contests this season. The dynamic duo has combined for 23 double-figure scoring games, 14 games with 20 or more points and two 30-point games. They have accounted for more than 50.0 percent of the team's points on the year. Young leads the ACC in scoring, while he ranks in the top-20 in the nation for ppg. Young is one of eight players at Pitt to record over 1,400 points and 700 rebounds in a career. He is 12 assists shy of reaching the 200-assist mark.
SERIES HISTORY
Marshall will meet Pittsburgh for the fi rst time since the 1992-93 season. The Panthers lead the series 4-0.
BROWNING EARNS C-USA PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS
Senior guard Stevie Browning (Logan, W.Va.) was named Conference USA's Men's Basketball Player of the Week, the league announced Monday. It marked the first time Browning has won the award and the second time a player has won the award this season since junior guard Jon Elmore (Charleston, W.Va.) on Dec. 12. It is the first time two Herd teammates have won Player of the Week honors in the same season since Keith Veney (1995-97) and John Brannen (1995-97) were named Southern Conference Players of the Week in the 1996-97 season.
Browning is coming off of a week where he averaged 24.5 points per game from 19-of-32 shooting (59.4 percent), going 9-of-12 (75.0 percent) from three-pointers and 2-of-2 (100.0 percent) from the free throw line against No. 24 Cincinnati (Dec. 22) and West Virginia Wesleyan (Dec. 19).
The Logan, W.Va., native has scored at least 20 points in four consecutive games for the first time in his career.
#ONEHERD
For all the latest information about Marshall men's basketball, follow @HerdMBB on Twitter and Instagram.
UP NEXT
The Herd opens up its conference schedule when it takes on the FIU Panthers on Saturday, Dec. 31, at noon. Marshall leads the series, 4-1, vs. FIU.
