Herd Insider Magazine vol 19 #10 January 2017

January 2017

www.HerdInsider.com

Ryan Taylor is Marshall’s bona fide…

TRIPLE THREAT First player in Marshall history to be in the Top 20 in points, rebounds, and assists

Page 10

UP FRONT

01.17

VOLUME 19 NO. 10

Well, Happy New Year to all, and we hope you have made resolutions you can keep, didn’t party too hard and are ready for a better year than the last.

Also, belated birthday wished to Lewis D’Antoni, father of Mike and Danny, who turned 103 on New Year’s Eve (see photo on pages 12-13 of this issue). 103, and still sharp as a tack.

He has to be enjoying the Thundering Herd’s start to the 2016-17 season, with both the men’s and women’s teams a combined 15-0 so far in games in the Cam Henderson Center. Both teams are off to good starts in Conference USA play and overall the two seasons are going well for Danny D’Antoni (9-6) and Matt Daniel (10-3) and their teams.

By the way… Lewis Joseph D’Antoni was a graduate of Concord back in the day (1937) who coached for 35 seasons, winning 450+ games and a State Class A Championship (in the days of W.Va. having Classes A and B) at Mullens in 1955, a team including future Logan (W.Va.) HS legendary coach, Willie Akers — who would help Jerry West and WVU to a runner-up finish in the NCAA Championship in 1959, losing by one point to Cal. His 1954 team was the runner up, beat Huntington High’s Pony Express in 1955 and was snowed out of playing for title in ’56, and D’Antoni also played three years of Minor League Baseball for the Bluefield (W.Va.) Blue Grays.

compiled by Woody Woodrum, HI senior editor

Mullens in 1959, so he wouldn’t have to coach his sons, Danny and Mike, when they played for the Rebels before coming to Marshall. Lewis’s brother Dan D’Antoni was one of the three Marshall football MVPs in 1940 at quarterback/defensive back before opening Dan’s Sports Shop, still in operation).

Mullens won a consensus State Title in 1941 against undivided WV schools (no classes). They were set to play for the AA championship in 1956, but the game was never played due to weather.

In 1959, Mullens lost in the AA title game to Keyser, and they lost the Class A championship game in 1954.

After D’Antoni moved to Principal, Mullens won Class AA titles in 1970 and 1972, a year after he left Mullens to get back into coaching. Mullens went onto win A titles in 1982-83-84-98, then was consolidated with Glen Rogers (Class A title 1977), Pineville (lost Class AA title in 1969), Mullens Conley (won black schools title in 1963, consolidated with Mullens in fall of 1965 after 51 years of operation) and Herndon (lost Class A title in 1992).

At Chesapeake (Ohio) HS, D’Antoni was head coach from 1971-82.

He is a member of the West Virginia Sportswriters Hall of Fame, located in the Charleston Civic Center and wrote a book, “The Coach’s Coach,” about his family’s immigration from Italy and his life D’Antoni coached Pineville (W.Va.) HS from 1937-41 and started a with sports. He an his wife, Betty Jo D’Antoni, had four children: Kathy, 6-man football team in ’38, then Mullens from 1942-59 in basket- Danny, Mike and Mark. ball (football from 1946-50) and was the first winner of the WV High School Coach of the Year Award in 1955. He became the Principal at A Coach’s Coach, indeed.

January 2017 / HERD INSIDER /

WHAT WE’VE GOT

COLUMNIST

On the cover: Marshall’s Ryan Taylor is truly a triple threat, the first player to be in the Top 20 in rebounds, points, and assists. photo by Greg Perry/HI staff

01.17

VOLUME 19 No. 10

4

ANALYTICS

Most college coaches don’t educate the media using analytics. Dan D’Antoni isn’t like most college coaches, however.

This page: Marshall’s Ashley Saintigene had a hair-raising moment during this drive to the basket against Florida Atlantic, at the start of the new year. photo by Greg Perry/HI staff

W BASKETBALL

6

ON A ROLL

Marshall women’s basketball finished 2016 and began 2017 in fitting fashion – by racking up Conference USA wins over FIU and FAU.

555 Fifth Avenue Huntington, WV 25701 (304) 523-8401

General Manager Mike Kirtner Contributor Bill Cornwell

M BASKETBALL

10

TRIPLE THREAT

Ryan Taylor became the first Marshall basketball player to be in the school’s Top 20 for points, rebounds, and assists over the holiday break.

Publisher Greg Perry First Subscriber Geoff Sheils

Associate GM Reeves Kirtner Printing Printograph

18

WHAT I’VE LEARNED

M. HUMPHREY

We catch up with Markel Humphrey, a Marshall basketball great who now lives and plays professionally in Switzerland.

Senior Editor Web Operations Woody Woodrum Alex Hackney All contents ©2017 Kindred Communications, Inc

3

PUBLISHER

I

/ January 2017

GREG PERRY

COLUMNIST

Sholten Singer/Herald-Dispatch

4 / HERD INSIDER

Making A Splash After A Loss, Via Analytics

gregkperry@herdinsider.com

t’s not every coach who can “You guys take a lot of threes. Did say he made a splash on the you feel like there maybe wasn’t quite national college basketball enough working the ball into the paint scene by losing a game. In fact, I early on?” can’t remember ever uttering those Coach D’Antoni saw the opwords in combination, nor reading portunity to share some of his vast those words elsewhere. knowledge about the game of basOver the holiday break – a time ketball, and maybe educate a big-city when most fans tune out the college reporter, as too good to pass up. You basketball scene in favor of office could literally see his eyes light up at parties, family get-togethers, and the the prospect of it. like – Marshall coach Dan D’Antoni did the heretofore unseen on The “You’re old school, aren’t you?”

Herd’s trip to Pittsburgh. the coach fired back. “Do you watch He simply took a loss as the the NBA, ever?” perfect opportunity to educate the media about something most fans “Yeah,” was the reporter’s know very little about: analytics, answer. and their place in the ever-competiThis was the perfect setup tive world of college basketball.

by D’Antoni. It is well known in Analytics in the college basketHuntington that his good-old-boy ball world is, quite simply, breaking demeanor can easily be used to lure down each and every possession and you into a trap. A local reporter was its outcome (basket/no basket, etc.) about to find out. in order to find the best-performing “You see those top three teams. combinations of player and shot.

Golden State – do they work it in?

When you know that a certain shot My brother in Houston, the biggest statistically is proven to provide a turnaround in the league – do they better outcome, then a smart coach work it in? You can go get any comwill play to that strength in order to puter and run what the best shots Marshall coach Dan D’Antoni is starting to garner attention in the are, and it will tell you the post-up is score more points and therefore win college basketball world, as much for his team’s performances and more. the worst shot in basketball,” D’Antoni game analytics, as for his unique style on the sideline.

In a nutshell. replied, a subtle grin on his face. The The question was lobbed to D’Antoni just like it is lobbed at him coach knew that hearing that a post-up shot –always considered to be after each and every game. The (unidentified) reporter had analyzed the safest way to score points– was the worst shot in basketball would Marshall’s 112-106 loss to the Pittsburgh Panthers, and had come to his draw a confused reaction. However, D’Antoni knew where he was own conclusion about why Marshall lost: continued on page 5

January 2017 / HERD INSIDER /

COLUMNIST continued from page 4 taking the conversation.

“If you want to run down and try to get it in there to shoot over somebody, then you’re beating analytics. The best shot in basketball is that corner three. The next-best shot in basketball is any other three. Other than free throws, which we try to do. When you get to the foul line, you score 1.5 points every time you go to the foul line in the pros. It just trickles down. It’s the same thing for college kids.”

Silence was heard in the room, at this point. To those assembled, coach D’Antoni had either gone off his rocker, or knew something that everybody else didn’t. Time to divert via a new question. in…”

“Danny, were you sort of able to lull them

On a mission to educate and inform, D’Antoni took control back.

“I haven’t finished my damn analytics story yet,” Dan D’Antoni said. “Do you have to go to bed or something because you’re worn out?”

The floor was effectively his, from here on out.

“If you can get to a layup and it’s clean

– it’s not one that’s highly contested – it’s 1.8 [points per attempt].It’s 1.3 from that corner.

You know what a post-up is, with a guy standing over you? It’s 0.78. So, you run your team down there and we’ll see how long you can stay with teams that play the other way,” the coach summed up.

Keyboards could be heard clicking away at break-neck speed, in the background.

That other way he mentioned is precisely the way D’Antoni’s team plays: Fast, and taking the shots with the best chances of going in the basket.

“You’ve seen it in the NBA. The last two championships have been Cleveland and Golden State. What do they do? You don’t see anybody post-up. They just spread that thing out and go,” D’Antoni added the final nail in the reporter’s proverbial coffin.

Numbers don’t lie. Not to a basketball coach who is dead-set on returning a Marshall program to basketball relevance, that is.

“I changed a long time ago,” the coach admitted. “I coached for 15 years like a dummy, running down there real hard so I can get it in there for the worst shot in basketball. I didn’t even know what I was doing.”

The result of Dan D’Antoni’s teaching

12.23.16

seesion about basketball analytics? The Pittsburgh media were enchanted by his honesty and good-old-boy nature in delivering the lesson. Pittsurgh Post-Gazette writer Craig Meyer posted the video of Dan D’Antoni’s post-game dissertation about basketball analytics, calling D’Antoni a “national treasure that must be preserved at all costs” the next day, and the video went slightly viral.

Media outlets the world over were picking up on it, and the cover was effectively lifted off the master plan for Marshall basketball in the future.

D’Antoni wasn’t trying to keep a secret.

He was putting on display for all to see just how Marshall basketball is rising from the bogs of mediocrity. By using analytics to determine how his team will play on offense, he laid out the roadmap to what opponents will have to face. Their goal is to try and stop what the numbers say will work.

After years of plodding along in the middle lane of college basketball, Marshall is now in the run-fast-and-shoot-the-high-percentage-shots express lane. The destination is relevance and impact in college basketball.

It’s arrival is one day closer.

www.HerdInsider.com

Oh, what a

VALLEY RUN Spring Valley ran all the way to the state title game against Martinsburg

NAME _______________________________ ADDRESS ____________________________ CITY ________________________________ STATE __________ ZIP _________________ CREDIT CARD #:

5

_________________________

EXPIRATION: ___________________ EMAIL: ______________________________ PHONE: _____________________________

Mail to: Herd Insider P.O. Box 1150 Huntington, WV 25713 (304) 523-8401 or visit subscribe.herdinsider.com

to do the deed securely online!

6 / HERD INSIDER

/ January 2017

COLLEGE

BASKETBALL

Logan, WV’s Shayna Gore had her eye on the basket against FAU, and racked up 20 points in the early C-USA win.

photographs by Greg Perry/HI staff

/ January 2017 COLLEGE

/ HERD INSIDER /

7

BASKETBALL

Starting out 2017 on a…

NEW YEAR’S ROLL T

by Woody Woodrum, HI senior editor

he Thundering Herd women’s team had lost 3-of-4 with Florida Atlantic, who invaded the Cam Henderson Center for a rare January 1 game. Looked at in a different light, the game on the first day of the new year gave Marshall an opportunity to start the year off on the best footing possible, with a win.

The series began when the Owls joined Conference USA in 2014-15. Marshall caged the Owls, 70-53, pulling the ball out for a slowdown game in the second half that is a bit out of character for the Herd.

And with that win, Marshall started the year at 2-0 in C-USA, 8-0 this season at the Henderson Center and 10-3 overall, tied with Charlotte for the best records in C-USA. While it’s still too early to get excited, the prospects look good for Marshall over the next two months of conference play. In short…they began the year on a roll.

By comparison, Marshall’s men’s team is also undefeated at home, making the two teams 15-0 in the home of the Herd.

“It’s a great win. I’ll take it,” Marshall coach Matt Daniel said after the FAU win. “I thought we were focused and executed well. We wanted to try and keep them in the 60s and we kept them in the 50s and held them to 19 in the second half.”

“With the game on the line at halftime, we took care of the ball and called up whatever shot we wanted ... because I knew we were playing the right kind of basketball. It’s a great, great win.”

Daniel was concerned with his team looking a little weary in the second game since the Christmas break. “I thought we looked a little tired in the first half. It’s just like lifting when you are more tired on the second day than you are on the first. I thought we looked a little dead, so I let them rest at halftime. I didn’t even go in there until about three minutes left in the break,” Daniel said.

“I just told them we don’t get beat at home. If you can win your home games, then you have a shot to be Huntington native (and University of Cincinnati transfer) Talequia Hamilton is on an pretty good, and we have protected the home court.” early-season tear, racking up four double-double performances by the first of the year.

It was an odd game for a high-energy crowd of 717 with a 0-for-8 from distance, got its shooting going in the second half fans on New Year’s Day — with about 20 or so cheerby hitting 10-of-18 in the third (55.6%) and making 4-of-7 from three ing for FAU— because both teams like to shoot the three and force (57.1%). turnovers for quick baskets. Marshall picked up the pace in the third Marshall overall hit 28-75 (37%) from the floor, 8-of-34 from three quarter, after an Owls 6-0 run at the end of the second quarter helped (23.5%) and an impressive 12-16 at the line (making the first nine in a FAU to cut the Herd’s lead to just one, 35-34, at the half. row, shooting 75%). Marshall also out-rebounded the tall Owls (with six For the game, Florida Atlantic shot just 21-of-55 from the floor players at 6-foot to 6-3 in height) by 45-to-40. The 34 threes by the Herd (38.2%) and a woeful 4-for-21 from three (19%). was the most for attempts in a single game this season.

Marshall, shooting only 25 percent in the second quarter along

8 / HERD INSIDER /

January 2017

The Herd did well in the paint, hitting 10-of18 (55.6%) on shots not taken from three in the second half. The slow down led to some driving lay-ups for a 36-26 edge in the paint, and when the Herd missed, they beat FAU on the offensive glass, 17-to-8.

Marshall had five blocks (16 total in FIU and FAU wins to open C-USA play for the Herd team).

The Herd’s 11 steals in the game is tied for second most (13 vs. UMFK and 11 vs. Bluefield College), but it the most steals for the Herd in a Division I game.

Shayna Gore led the Herd with 20 points, despite just hitting 2-of-11 from three. She also led the team with five steals, hit 8-of-20 overall (40%) from the floor and 2-of-2 at the line. Gore also led the Herd with four assists. She said the steals are just what the Herd likes to do in the backcourt, knock the ball away and drive the ball to the other end for easier scores.

“We are always looking to grab the ball out on the corners, it is what we practice every day,” Gore said. “When the threes aren’t falling for me, I just try to score and help the team in other ways.”

C-USA winner of the Freshman of the Week Award two weeks in a row and three times this year is freshman forward Ashley Saintigene. She scored six points, seven rebounds and two blocks, an assist and a steal.

Senior pivot Talequia Hamilton blocked a shot just 35 seconds into the game, and had three of the Herd’s five blocks. She also picked up her first double-double of this season, and the second Kiana Evans picked up eight rebounds against Florida Atlantic to start the new year. of her career, with 12 points and 12 rebounds. 4-of-8 tied for second on team with eight rebounds. Sophomore Khadaijia rebounds were on the offensive glass, and she added two assists, two Brooks also had eight rebounds and scored nine points. steals and no turnovers in 27 minutes.

Daniel was looking ahead to the next two weeks in conference Redshirt junior McKenzie Akers continued to play well coming play, at his post- game presser. “ODU, Charlotte, Middle Tennessee, back from knee surgery that caused her to miss all of 2015-16. She hit UAB and Western Kentucky,” Daniel said. “That’s like murderer’s row.

4-of-9, all from three, and was 3-of-4 at the line, adding two assists and Four of those five were picked in the top four, so this game was hugely one rebound, and her 15 points were a season high. She now has hit important because you never know what’s going to happen.”

25-of-63 this season from three, a career high of 40% from behind the Fittingly enough, Marshall’s last game of 2016 was played on De3- point line this season, for the career 33% shooter. cember 30 at the Henderson Center, and was also a win. The Marshall Also kicking in 12 points was senior Kiana Evans, who hit only continued on page 9 3-of-15, and 1-of-5 from three but did hit 5-of-6 from the line and was

Baskeball from page 8 women’s basketball team swatted a season-high 11 shots to stymie visiting FIU 70-52.

The Thundering Herd improved to 9-3 overall, while FIU dropped to 2-10. The game was the Conference USA opener for both schools.

The 11 rejections were the most for the program since recording that many in an 81-76 overtime win versus UTSA on March 5, 2014.

Freshman Ashley Saintigene (Lauderdale Lakes, Fla.) had her second double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds to go with five blocks. Junior Shayna Gore (Logan, W.Va.) led all Thundering Herd scorers with 16 points (4-for-9 on 3-pointers) and classmate McKenzie Akers (Princeton, W.Va.) added 10 on 3-for-4 shooting from long range.

Gore and freshman Asheika Alexander (Gwinnett, Ga.) had three assists.

FIU’s Kristian Hudson notched a game-high 17 points, but was held to a 4-for-16 shooting effort. She made up for it by going 8-for-8 at the free throw line. Janka Hegedus added 10 points and Kiandre’a Pound led the rebounding effort with eight.

The Thundering Herd jumped out to a 24-12 first quarter lead and increased it to 16 (40-24) by the half. The margin grew to as many as 28 (70-42) on a Gore 3-pointer with 3:24 left in the contest before FIU rattled off the game’s last 10 points.

The Panthers came into the contest sixth in the league in 3-point percentage (.329) but the Marshall defense hounded the visitors on the perimeter all night and forced just a 2-for-14 (.143) effort Friday. The first make came with 7:18 left in the game after 11 consecutive misses.

Over the opening weekend of Conference USA play, MIddle Tennessee (1-0, 6-6) beat UAB (0-1, 7-5), 64-61; WKU won at FIU (0-2, 2-11), 90-38 and at FAU, 76-55; and Charlotte won at Rice (0-2, 9-4) by 69-51 and won earlier at North Texas, 78-63; ODU (1-1, 6-7) won at Rice, 59-47, then lost at North Texas (1-1, 4-9), 65-55; UTEP (0-1, 3-10) lost in El Paso to UTSA (1-0, 5-7), 83-81 in OT; and Southern Miss (0-1, 8-5) lost at Louisiana Tech (1-0, 6-6), 72-61.

10 / HERD INSIDER

/ January 2017

COLLEGE

photographs by Greg Perry/HI staff

BASKETBALL

January 2017 / HERD INSIDER /

COLLEGE

BASKETBALL

Ryan Taylor has become Marshall’s true…

R

TRIPLE THREAT

by Woody Woodrum, HI senior editor

yan Taylor is in a very special place at Marshall.

He now is in the Top 20 in points, rebounds and assists — the first and only player in Marshall history to be among the top players in all three categories.

Taylor (as of the FAU game in early January) has 1,490 points, good for number 16 all-time — and only seven points from moving past former teammate DeAndre Kane at No. 15 with 1,496 points (2010-13). He has 807 rebounds, now only the 7th player to have over 800 boards, and needs six to pass Rodney Holden at 812 (1984-88). He also now has 250 assists, tying Tamar Slay at No. 19 (1998- 2002) and 10 helpers away from going past No. 18 Chris Ross (2005-07).

And, his coach is happy that Taylor is nearly 100 percent after battling a calf injury earlier in December.

“I am glad to see Ryan is getting well,” D’Antoni said.

“He hardly limped tonight [after the FAU game in Florida], and gave us a big game when we needed him to.” Taylor also stayed out of foul trouble (he has fouled out four times this season) although he and Marcus Neely drew an odd double-technical after Taylor was called for his second personal — neither player seemed to think they deserved a technical, but three fouls total allowed Taylor to play 35 minutes and lead the team in points and rebounds.

Taylor now is at 108 games played (106 starts), 28th most; 520-of-1,075 on field goals (17th-and-19th) and his 48.4% at the line is tied for 21st; Taylor is 76-of-261 from three (31st-and-tied for 26th); he is 372-of-558 on free throws (8th-and-5th), and his 67% is just 3.1% from tying Tyler Wilkerson at 35th in free throw shooting (70.1%, 2006-10); and his 92 steals makes him 33rd in that category. It has been a great career for a great player.

The Thundering Herd had spent the last 13 days of 2016 living out of its suitcase, with four road games over that period. The Herd’s 89-72 win at Florida Atlantic moved the team to a 2-0 start and a first place tie in Conference USA with Old Dominion (9-4).

Marshall started off 2-0 on the road in league play for the first time since 2009-10, when the Herd was 24-10, 11-5 in C-USA with a 4-0 league start. Coach Danny D’Antoni talked Ryan Taylor returned to form in early January, after suffering a mild calf injury in about opening with wins after the game, remembering an 0-6 December. He tied the game against ODU with this and-one, prompting the yell. start with his first team in 2014-15, then winning the first five last year, the first three being at home before the Herd won 3-of-4 on the first road trips — after an 0-6 start to the season before Jon Elmore got eligible.

“This start is a lot better than the first year,” D’Antoni said, “and the bad start last year.”

“The team was a little sloppy tonight, a little sloppy in their ball handling, but we have been on the road for a week (for three games). That’s a long time for these kids, so they’re a little fatigued. With Christmas and four away games since Dec. 22, with one game before and three since Christmas, they are probably a little tired.”

For the Herd, it was the 35th game in a row with 70 or more points, going back to last season. The margin of wins over FIU and FAU was 20.5 points, the first time the Herd has done that since 2009-10. continued on page 16

11

103 And Still A Fan…

Lewis D’Antoni – father of Marshall men’s basketball coach Dan D’Antoni– celebrated his 103rd birthday by taking in a basketball game in late-December at the Henderson Center. photo by Greg Perry/HI staff

January 2017 / HERD INSIDER /

13

Basketball continued from page 11 Taylor is just the fourth to now have topped 1,400 in points from 22 points and 11 rebounds. Senior guard Stevie Browning (Logan, and 800 rebounds. That group starts with Charlie Slack (1,551 W.Va.) had 22 points for his fifth consecutive game of scoring at least points/1,916 rebounds, 1952-56), Lee (1,815/863, 1969-72) and VanHoose 20 points.

(1,803/1,086) — Burgess had just 1,000 points, while Allen and Holden The second half opened more of the same with Pittsburgh evenneither scored over one-thousand points, and those are the six players tually gaining a 29-point advantage at the 14:35 mark, but the Herd who have over 800 in rebounds in their battled back. Marshall kept on chipping Herd careers. away until it became a 10-point game at Taylor now is at 108 games played the 4:49 mark with Pittsburgh having (106 starts), 28th most; 520-of-1,075 a 96-86 advantage. That deficit was on field goals (17th-and-19th) and his cut thanks to a barrage of shots from 48.4% at the line is tied for 21st; Taylor Burks, Browning, senior guard Austin is 76-of-261 from three (31st-and-tied for Loop (South Webster, Ohio), junior Jon 26th); he is 372-of-558 on free throws Elmore (Charleston, W.Va.) and Taylor.

(8th-and-5th), and his 67% is just 3.1% The Herd would eventually cut the from tying Tyler Wilkerson at 35th in lead to five, 109-104, at the 29 second free throw shooting (70.1%, 2006-10); mark, but that would be as close as and his 92 steals makes him 33rd in that Marshall came to completing the comecategory. It has been a great career for a back. In the end, the Herd fell 112-106. great player.

To continue the ball rolling in ConAgainst FAU, sophomore Adjin ference USA play, however, Marshall Penava struggled after scoring 20 points had to face down the stifling defense of with eight rebounds and five blocks, Old Dominion. One of the best offenses fouling out with just two points, three in the country (Marshall) versus one of boards, an assist and block in only 14 the best defenses in the country (ODU) minutes. But up stepped Christian meant something had to give on one C.J. Burks overcame the stifling defense of Old Dominion, Thienenman, the redshirt freshman, side, or the other. On a snowy January fighting through three players to the basket. with his best game in 15 outings. Thienennight, it played out. man, who until then had only nine points After falling behind by a 14-0 margin and 12 rebounds, set a career high with 10 points, hitting 4-of-7 from early in the game, Marshall finally got its offense on track and played the field and 2-of-4 from three. through the (at times) stifling defense of ODU, with the game going to “Chris Theinenman is coming on strong,” D’Antoni said, “he plays overtime. really hard, and we will work to clean up his turnovers. We told him he Behind the solid effort by C.J. Burks, Marshall gained the has to work on his shooting, and he has been working extra. He will be much-needed C-USA win over ODU, 90-86, in front of a crowd too a great shooter, he has a good eye, so we will continue to work on his hearty to stay at home because of the snow falling outside. shot and make him a better player.”

“We couldn’t make shots (early on),” said coach Dan D’Antoni.

Perhaps the biggest story coming out of the holiday break was “They played defense a different way. It was a little extra physical, so Marshall’s venture to play at Pittsburgh. Sophomore guard C.J. Burks’ maybe it bumped us off a little bit. After that, we adjusted to it and (Martinsburg, W.Va.) career-high 25 points and senior forward Ryan started making shots.”

Taylor’s (Indianapolis) 30th career double-double were not enough to D’Antoni was really excited about the effort given by the whole help the Marshall men’s basketball team close out non-conference play team, but especially by Burks, who scored 11 of his 15 in the second with a win, as Marshall fell to the Pittsburgh Panthers, 112-106, on a half. “C.J. is the battering ram that opens the door for everybody else Wednesday night. because he can ram it through a locked door,” D’Antoni said. “And Ryan With the loss, the Herd fell to 7-6, while Pittsburgh moved to 11-3.

(Taylor) is strong and can get up in there.”

Burks (Martinsburg, W.Va.) 25 points came off the bench, while And speaking of Taylor: he recorded his fifth double-double of this he added four rebounds and four assists. Taylor’s double-double came year and moved up the career lists in multiple categories.

January 2017 / HERD INSIDER /

Darnell Wright Huntington (WV) High School Offensive Lineman - Football

photo courtesy of Scout.com

The UNC Tar Heels, Marshall Thundering Herd and a lot of other schools are now looking at another lineman hard at work high atop “Highlander Mountain.” The latest Highlanders line sensation is rising junior Darnell Wright.

The 6-6, 275 pound offensive blocker created a buzz recently with closely-watched performances at the U.S. Army National Combine in San Antonio, Texas. The Combine was held in conjunction with the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Wright’s work at the combine was so impressive that Rivals.com named him as one of 12 standout performers at the event out of more than 500 participating athletes.

Rivals.com writers Josh Helmholdt and Nick Krueger were complimentary of Wright, saying “The WV native has a great offensive line frame that will only improve with time in the weight room. During the one-on-one session, he manned the left tackle position, which usually matched him against speedy edge rushers, and he showed the agility to keep them at bay,” Huntington High coach Billy Seals accompanied Wright to Texas and he told the Herald-Dispatch’s Grant Traylor that the exposure Wright received was crucial, since many national recruiters usually avoid West Virginia high school football talent. Seals told Traylor that, “when you have a guy like Darnell down here, it opens up doors for our kids in the state.”

Seals says similar exposure paid off for Spring Valley’s Riley Locklear at last year’s Adidas Georgia Showcase, leading to a scholarship offer to Tennessee, which Locklear accepted. Locklear is already enrolled in classes in Knoxville.

Wright is now hard at work in the Huntington High weight room, getting ready for the 2017 season, but the recruiters are still knocking on his door. He already had offers from Marshall and WVU, but his work in San Antonio brought interest from North Carolina and Tennessee, where he’s being courted by Vols assistant –and former Marshall player – coach Don Mahoney.

—story by Bill Cornwell, HI contributing writer

17

18 / HERD INSIDER

/ January 2017

photographs by Greg Perry/HI staff

/ January 2017

/ HERD INSIDER /

19

WHAT I’VE LEARNED:

MARKEL HUMPHREY

Markel Humphrey is one of the greats to play basketball at Marshall University over the last 20 years. The 6-5 native of Georgia ended his career in Huntington at #6 on the list in terms of number of games played (119); #15 in three-point field goals made (113); and #14 in number of rebounds (674). His strong physical game made him a threat from anywhere on the court between 2005 and 2009.

Now 30 years of age, Humphrey continues to play professionally in Switzerland, to this day. For the somewhat-shy guy who hailed from Stockbridge, Georgia, living and playing in Europe has been a life-changing event. Twice he has been named a DBL All-Star (2010-11), and was named the league’s All-Star game MVP in 2011 as well.

This year, he is playing for BBC Monthey.

Keeping in contact with a friend, Herd Insider publisher Greg Perry traded messages on Facebook with Humphrey this fall, and the idea of this interview came about. Humphrey was more than gracious in answering the questions.

HI: It’s been seven years since your Marshall basketball career ended. What have you been up to in that timeframe? What has your life (in- and outside of basketball) become?

MH: The past seven years, I have been living a dream. It’s like I’m still asleep, while the years pass by. I’m still pursing my dream of playing basketball for a living, although I did not make the NBA. I am blessed with my skills to play in Europe, and I don’t regret one second of it. The knowledge encountered through these years is incredible, via the experience of living a different lifestyle than we do here in America. My eyes have been open to a different life, a life we don’t live in America.

HI: For a guy coming out of Stockbridge, Georgia and Marshall University...did you ever foresee that one day you’d be playing professional basketball in Europe, and living there? If so, is living there a dream that you had as a kid growing up?

MH: I wouldn’t say it was a childhood dream only because as a child, all I knew was NBA this and NBA that. I never thought about overseas ball until I was an adult. As I was pursing my dream through high school and college, overseas ball –let alone living over here– never crossed my mind. I didn’t know it would be on the path I was chosen to take.

HI: When Marshall fans remember Markel Humphrey playing basketball, they always remember the Humphrey’s physical style of play -shown here in 2009- hasn’t changed in Europe. forceful drives in the lane, usually ending in a dunk. Is that still what you’re known for in Europe, or has your game changed? If your game has changed and been refined, tell us why the change came about.

MH: That’s a funny question. Of course, I am still known for that. I still try to dunk every chance I get. Actually, my power play is the reason I continue to get contracts over here. So no, my game hasn’t changed. I’ve just learned to play a bit smarter and at a change of pace. My basketball I.Q. has really improved because I’ve had all kinds of coaches in different countries and continued on page 20

their trip or move?

MH: I would advise them to be organized with paperwork, just in case they are stopped in the airport or walking around in the country they visit. It’s small problems like that that can make a trip go very badly. It’s pretty simple: just have your plans ready, your currency exchanged, and know your way around. Also, it would be a plus to know a little of the language and traditions.

Markel Humphrey continued from page 19 they always have different views of the game. Still love posting up, rebounding and just being all over the court. That will never change.

It’s my mentality, it’s what brings joy to me, it’s me showing God the gratefulness I have for the abilities He has given me.

HI: It must be difficult spending the majority of your time overseas, away from your family in Georgia. How often do you return back home, and when you do...what is the ONE thing you have to do or miss the most while away, and absolutely HAVE to go and do/see/experience?

MH: The first couple of years were pretty tough, but as time went

by I had to accept it. Some people want the dream but don’t want to sacrifice anything. This is my sacrifice. Good question. The first thing I do is go see a movie at my favorite theater at home.I don’t get the chance to go to the movies often, here. I enjoy going out to a good flick, getting my snacks and popcorn, sitting down and just relaxing. For me, it’s my getaway. Let’s not mention food! My first stop is Waffle House.

HI: Seven years playing professional basketball now. Have you given any thought to what comes after playing basketball? What would you want to do for a living, if basketball wasn’t available any more? Ever considered coaching or front-office management?

MH: I haven’t given a lot of thought into that, to be honest. My main focus is always basketball. How can I stay healthy? What do I need to do to keep my body young? How can I stay in better shape than anyone? I feel like if I let those thoughts slip away… I have nothing. If I had to stop playing –right now– I would turn all my focus into starting my own business. Don’t me wrong: at times, I have thoughts and I jot them down. It’s just a matter of putting everything in to motion.

HI: Having spent considerable time in Europe, you’re now our go-to guy when it comes to advice on visiting over there. For a person living in the United States —who hasn’t been there or is considering a visit or moving there— what would you advise them on how to make the most of

HI: Okay, I’ve got to ask. Made any 3/4 court shots to win the game in Europe like you did against SMU? What are some of the playing things that are different for you today, compared to when you played at Marshall?

MH: You know, Greg, every time I have a chance to shoot a long distance shot here my confidence goes sky high. Only because I know I have hit one before! That may sound funny, I know. But seriously, how many players can say they hit a full court shot to win the game? Not many. I’m sure I might hit one more before I’m done playing this game.

The game is a bit slower on the professional level. In my opinion, the team with the highest I.Q. usually wins. As far as stats, I still have the same numbers from my Marshall days. I try to stay high with rebounds, points, and assists. I believe that shows that I’m a hard worker, and can score when the team needs it, and unselfishness.

HI: Everybody gets homesick. What do you do in order to stay in touch with Georgia and West Virginia? Any movies you watch, technology you use, that helps with the homesickness?

MH: Yes, with the technology improving on a yearly basis, I am able to easily keep up with all my friends and family. I have FaceTime, iMessage,email,Facebook and also Instagram. So it is almost impossible not to be able to contact anyone. Yes, I have my list of movies I like watching, that eases the sickness. I have all of my Marshall highlight tapes that I watch a lot, too.

HI: Okay. Now that you’ve been away for seven years, you’ve obviously experienced a lot that this world has to offer, and it all started/is centered around basketball and Marshall University. Along your 30 year journey of life, taking all this into consideration, what have you learned?

What has life shown you, and what have you shown life?

MH: I have learned patience, which is a big part of life. Life has shown me there are many eyes out here, and what I mean by that is: everybody lives a different life that some people don’t get a chance to see. The traditions, the holidays I have been a part of out here are amazing. I have a different perspective on life. I have shown life that, given different circumstances I was able to change my mind and my soul.

It is probably tough to understand, but it can be very difficult playing overseas as an American.

herdinsider.com

Read Herd Insider Magazine online –anytime– for free! www.issuu.com/herdinsidermagazine

12.09.16

www. herdinsider .com

IT’S A

WRAP

MARSHALL FOOTBALL ENDS A TUMULTUOUS SEASON WITH A LOSS TO WESTERN KENTUCKY

Bob Plymale Senate

Page 10