January 2019 / THE INSIDER /
Overcoming
11
Marshall’s Men’s Basketball opens Conference USA play with a 3-0 start compiled by Dave Walsh THE INSIDER writer photos by Adam Gue
It’s not the way any team wants to enter conference play. Lopsided losses at SEC member Texas A&M and ACC power Virginia in its final two non-conference contests reinforces the fact the Marshall University men’s basketball team has several areas of concern to correct if it hopes to repeat as Conference USA champion. The biggest problem has been the play inside following the loss to 6-foot-10 Ajdin Penava, who opted for the NBA Draft last season after he led the nation in blocked shots (134), averaged 15.6 points and 8.5 rebounds a game and won C-USA’s Defensive Player of the Year award. Marshall won the C-USA tournament title and beat Wichita State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Redshirt freshman Iran Bennett (6-9) and transfers Mikel Beyers (6-9) and Ante Sustic (6-10) have yet to emerge from the big shadow created by Penava’s departure. “The biggest thing we’re missing is Penava. That was an unexpected loss and we haven’t filled that gap like we have to,” Marshall coach Dan D’Antoni stressed to the media again after a 100-64 loss at No. 4/1 Virginia on Dec. 31. “Some of the little things in the second half I kind of liked. We started being a little more aggressive; right now we’re soft and we don’t make the plays that you’ve got to make. That’s where we are and I’ve been doing this a long time. It can flip in a heartbeat, so hopefully we’ll be around at the end of the year. Old Hillbilly Ball will come back.” In the preseason Conference USA poll, Western Kentucky got the nod to win the championship. The Herd was picked second and Old Dominion third. Herd basketball D’Antoni style has to switch gears quickly as Marshall, which went 7-6 in non-conference action, faced a tough opening stretch in C-USA. After home dates against FAU and FIU, it’s a trip to Western Kentucky on Jan. 21.
