Use this thread to talk about anything game-related.

Date: November 30th, 2011  7:00 PM

Opponent: Marshall   (5-0)

Site: Cam Henderson Center

TV: None

Radio:  Ohio Radio

Webcast:  HerdZone All-Access  ($9.95 for monthly subscription)

Marshall's media guide, roster and statistics.  

Marshall fan sites:  HerdNation  (Rivals)

I think that says more about UC than Marshall. Aside from a trip to Syracuse, we might be their toughest opponent before Conference USA play. Really interested to see how we respond to tonight.

Iona, Belmont (2), and maybe even Akron are all better than Ohio, not to mention UC, which we've already played. Also have WVU, but thats in January after a few CUSA games. 

You sure about that?

I don't think the Sagarins do.

3 times in Huntington, one in Charleston and one in Athens. There must be a mandate that they are trying to keep those Marshall folk in W Va for fear they will assimilate into society and we will all catch whatever it is they have that makes them who they are....something akin to a human version of Mad Cow....appropriate for a Herd of them.

After those idiots last year sat behind the bench and called us every name but white men before Gman made arrangements to send them to the local hospital..... I was hoping to be in the Convo next time they came to town and extract some revenge on that crud of a fanbase. Hope the guys keep it going and they drill MU for a second time at home. .

If you're coming, make sure you're there before the Pre-Game events, you won't wanna miss it.

Hope you have a good time except for the final score.

Is it safe to say that Marshall's move toC-USA helped their basketball program as much or more than their football program? Or is Marshall's sudden hoops uptick just a matter of finding the right coach to build it?

Observations for the game Wednesday:

*  This is likely the best Herd team in many years.  They are experienced, talented, athletic and big.  They very well could challenge Memphis in CUSA. 
*  They hit the jackpot with their two JUCO big man additions:  Dennis Tinnon and Robert Goff.  I would have loved to have seen Ohio get one of those guys.  Tinnon has a great human interest story.  He is married and was working hard to support his wife in a meat packing plant in Green Bay until a former teammate encouraged him to check out a JUCO in Kansas City.  The rest is history.  A good guy and a very good player.  Goff was a JUCO teammate of former Ohio signee Joe Mitchell.  He originally committed to Oklahoma but got a release when there was a coaching change. 
*  Goff and Tinnon have been dominant inside players so far for the Herd.  They also have a 7-2 guy, Mbao, who plays 11 mins. a game.
*  Marshall has the advantage in size.  They are killing teams on the boards.  Ohio HAS to find a way to keep them from killing us with offensive rebounds and putbacks.  But we have to do it without getting in foul trouble.  A daunting task. 
*  Marshall goes about eight deep, while Ohio goes about 9-10 deep.  This is a slight advantage for Ohio, but perhaps it could become a factor late in the game.
*  Marshall has a very good defensive FG%.  Ohio has had trouble shooting the ball at a good percentage so far.  Of course, it would be great if we could just shoot the ball well in Henderson tomorrow night.  We did shoot it well in the second half vs. the Herd last season in Huntington. 
*  Would like to see our PGs work extra hard to get our strong shooters involved.  I would see it as a bad sign if D.J. and Stevie think they have to take it upon themselves and take a lot of shots. 
*  OTOH, it would be great to see D.J. and Stevie use their quickness to drive and dish.  Pitts and Johnson are quick, but I think our guys are equally quick. 
*  Overall, Ohio needs to get to the line more.  So far, opponents are getting to the line more.
*  Marshall has not been a good three point shooting team so far, though Pitts and Pena have the ability to go off at any time.  If Marshall isn't shooting the three well will Ohio go zone?  Problem is, zones make it tougher to box out and rebound and keeping Marshall off the boards is a priority.
*  Good defense by Ohio might turn over Marshall some.  In fact, I think Ohio has to score off steals if they have any chance to win.  This can't come down to just a half court grind it out affair.
*  Kane continues to be a dynamic player for Marshall. 
*  Just have an intuitive feeling that Walt and Ivo could really step it up tomorrow night.  We need them to.  And Nick. 

Will be interesting to see how both teams come out. Marshall's coming off a very nice win and people are probably telling them how great they are. I imagine Herrion is telling them the opposite. We expended a lot of energy and emotion against Louisville. Anxious to see where we are.
  

Robert GOff is a Beast.

I remember seeing him as a soph and he was laughable, could barely keep from tripping over his shoelaces. As a senior he came into Muncie Central talking smack before the game and got drilled, down 30 at half the MC seniors only played 2 mins of the 2 nd half beore the JV and frosh opened the lead even more.

Since then I have watched this kid in the Muncie park at SOul Bowl and Black Expo just freeking kill people both inside and out. Runs the floor like a gazelle and throws down with impunity. Shoots insode and out with equal success. I really look forward to seeing what kind of role the coach has handcuffed him to. He is easily one of my faovrite success stories. Kid is s player.

I agree that Ohio has an advantage in assist/turnover ratio.

Marshall is coming off a big win at Cincy, has a big game at Syracuse after us, and generally thinks they are superior to us because they "graduated" from the MAC. Reminds me of a couple of months ago when their football team had just come off a big win at SoMiss, had a big game with VTech after us, and generally thought they were superior to us because they had graduated from the MAC. We all know how that turned out. 

It's deja vu all over again, any chance Groce rolls our black jerseys before the game?