Marshall University Athletics
Marshall Men's Hoops to Face Road Test at Illinois
11/18/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
GAME 4: Marshall (2-1) at Illinois (3-0)
Sunday, Nov. 19 | 5 p.m. ET
Champaign, Ill. | State Farm Center (16,618)
Stream | Radio | Marshall Game Notes | Stats
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Marshall men's basketball team will travel to Champaign, Ill., to take on the Illinois Fighting Illini on Sunday, Nov. 19, at 5 p.m. ET at the State Farm Center.
HAVE YOU HERD
Marshall suffered its first loss of the season, losing 86-83 at Morehead State. Juniors Jon Elmore and Ajdin Penava led the Herd with 27 points and 21 points, respectively. Penava pulled down 10 rebounds for his fourth career double-double. Freshman guard Jarrod West made a career-high five steals.
SCOUTING THE ILLINI
First-year head coach Brad Underwood is ushering in a new era of Fighting Illini Basketball. Underwood was hired in March after leading Oklahoma State to a 20-win season and NCAA Tournament appearance. Underwood owned the third-most victories in NCAA history by a head coach through his first four years (109).
Illinois is defeating opponents by a margin of 19.7 per game. Its defense is holding opposing teams to just 67.3 points per game. The Illini are 3-0 for the second consecutive season. Its suffocating defense is forcing opposing teams to make 19.3 turnovers per game. The Illini are efficient from the charity stripe, as they are 80-of-100 from free throws.
WHO TO KNOW
Leron Black leads Illinois with 15.0 ppg and 3.3 assists per game. The efficient shooter is averaging 62.1 percent from field goals. Aaron Jordan is shooting 5-of-11 (45.5 percent) from three-point land. Mark Alstork is averaging 6.0 boards per game, while he has eight offensive rebounds this season. Te'Jon Lucas has made five steals this season. Mark Smith has been clutch from the free throw line, as he is a perfect 19-of-19 from the charity stripe.
SERIES HISTORY
The two sides will meet for the first time in program history.
#BringOnTheHerd
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