Marshall University Athletics
MCGILL: Dunk contest generates buzz for Herd Madness
10/19/2018 8:06:00 AM | Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Word on the Herd
Friday's basketball tip-off event is free and open to the public
By Chuck McGill
HerdZone.com
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The five-man field for the dunk contest at Friday night's Herd Madness basketball season tip-off includes two people who have appeared on SportsCenter's Top Plays for their high-flying ability.
There can only be one favorite.
"It's going to be hard to beat Taevion Kinsey," Marshall senior guard Jon Elmore said before the free event, which is open to the public, commences Friday night at 7 p.m. at the Henderson Center.
The annual event was moved from the student recreation center to the arena to accommodate an expected surge of fans in attendance. The men's and women's basketball teams will participate in the showcase, which includes a 3-point contest and shooting stars competition. Giveaways and autographs will also be part of the 90-minute event.
And, of course, there is the dunk contest, which is generating plenty of hype across campus because of the high flyers recruited by fifth-year coach Dan D'Antoni and his staff. There's Kinsey, a 6-foot-5, 177-pound true freshman from Columbus, Ohio, who created social media buzz this summer when one of his dunks at the rec center appeared on ESPN's top plays. Kinsey's teammates have taken notice.
Others were asked to pick a winner:
"Taevion," sophomore forward Jannson Williams said.
"I'm going with Taevion Kinsey," assistant coach Cornelius Jackson said.
"I'm taking Taevion," said Parker D'Antoni, a student manager.
"I'm going with Taevion first," sophomore guard Jarrod West said.
The other four competitors are hardly slouches when it comes to getting above the rim. Darius George is a 6-7, 215-pound forward from Staunton, Virginia, who made a big impact last season. Rondale Watson, a 6-4, 187-pound senior guard, beat Kinsey in the race to ESPN fame, and was frequently mentioned by teammates as one who could hold off the newcomer as the top dunker.
Other Herd rookies – 6-9 sophomore Mike Beyers and 6-6 Cam Brooks-Harris – will not be easy outs.
"Taevion can jump out of the building, but Rondale can do windmills," Parker D'Antoni said. "Good luck with that one."
West said that "Cam is very close," and warned that Beyers could be a sleeper in the event.
Whatever happens, Elmore says Marshall fans will receive an introduction to a team with a lot more talent, depth and athleticism than they saw during last season's Conference USA championship and NCAA tournament run.
"Most of the guys in the contest are new guys who are freak athletes," Elmore said. "Rondale, you've seen him on SportsCenter. We've got some leapers on this team. I think a lot of people are going to be surprised by how much athleticism we have now."
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Doors open at 6 p.m. for Herd Madness. The night will include men's and women's team introductions, competitions featuring both teams and student participation. There will be guest judges for the dunk contest, the men and women will go head-to-head in the 3-point contest, and the two teams will be mixed and work together in the shooting stars event.
The first 1,000 fans will receive a free T-shirt. There will be food giveaways for students, courtesy of D.P. Dough, and one student will be selected to attempt a shot to win a car. Schedule posters for men and women will be given away, and players will stick around to sign autographs for fans.
Season ticket-holders can also take advantage of Herd Madness by picking up 2018-19 tickets. Those with interest in purchasing season tickets can participate in the choose-your-seat program.
Chuck McGill is the Assistant Athletic Director for Fan/Donor Engagement and Communications at Marshall University and a six-time winner of the National Sports Media Association West Virginia Sportswriter of the Year award. In addition to HerdZone.com's Word on the Herd, McGill is the editor of Thundering Herd Illustrated, Marshall's official athletics publication. Follow him on Twitter (@chuckmcgill) and Instagram (wordontheherd).
