Here's a little breakdown of Morehead State and a couple things to possibly look for tonight.
Coach: Sean Woods (Career Record: 125-143)
2015-2016 Result: Marshall 61, Morehead State 85
Morehead State enters the 2016-2017 basketball season without their top two players in points and assists from last season. They lost Brent Arrington to graduation and Corban Collins left as a graduate transfer (currently averaging 15pts/game in two games for Alabama). Morehead State will rely on 5'11-170 sophomore guard, Malik Maitland (#11), to carry the load at the point guard position. He is currently their top scorer at 12.5 points/game.However, the top returning scoring option at the guard position from last season is 6'2-165 Xavier Moon (#22). Moon averaged 10.2 points per game last season, and is averaging 10.5 points per game early on this year, but he is expected to take on a bigger leadership role in his senior season with Arrington and Collins now gone. A newcomer to look for in Morehead State's back court is 6'1-177 freshman, Jordan Walker (#2). Walker is currently averaging 12.0 points per game and is shooting 10/12 (83.3%) from the field. Miguel Dicent (#5) is another back court player to keep your eye on. He's getting 21.5 points per game so far this season, which is one of the highest in Morehead State's rotation. The main wing player to worry about against Morehead State is 6'6-192 JUCO transfer, Soufiyane Diakite (#35). He is only getting 12.5 minutes per game, but he's averaging 11.0 points per game to date. The other wing will be Ronnye Beamon (#25), who has a similar build to Diakite. Beamon is 6'5-195, and is averaging 8.5 points per game. The toughest match up for Marshall will be Ryan Taylor-like, 6'6-230 power forward, DeJuan Marrero (#15). He is leading the team in minutes per game and he attacks the glass with aggression and could possibly get Taylor in foul trouble with the way he plays. He is averaging 9.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. Morehead State doesn't have a notable big man. They play the 5 position by committee, which is comprised of 6'9-220 Ty'Quan Bitting (#0), 6'5-235 Treshaad Williams (#1), and 6'10-210 Keion Alexander (#3).
Coach: Sean Woods (Career Record: 125-143)
2015-2016 Result: Marshall 61, Morehead State 85
Morehead State enters the 2016-2017 basketball season without their top two players in points and assists from last season. They lost Brent Arrington to graduation and Corban Collins left as a graduate transfer (currently averaging 15pts/game in two games for Alabama). Morehead State will rely on 5'11-170 sophomore guard, Malik Maitland (#11), to carry the load at the point guard position. He is currently their top scorer at 12.5 points/game.However, the top returning scoring option at the guard position from last season is 6'2-165 Xavier Moon (#22). Moon averaged 10.2 points per game last season, and is averaging 10.5 points per game early on this year, but he is expected to take on a bigger leadership role in his senior season with Arrington and Collins now gone. A newcomer to look for in Morehead State's back court is 6'1-177 freshman, Jordan Walker (#2). Walker is currently averaging 12.0 points per game and is shooting 10/12 (83.3%) from the field. Miguel Dicent (#5) is another back court player to keep your eye on. He's getting 21.5 points per game so far this season, which is one of the highest in Morehead State's rotation. The main wing player to worry about against Morehead State is 6'6-192 JUCO transfer, Soufiyane Diakite (#35). He is only getting 12.5 minutes per game, but he's averaging 11.0 points per game to date. The other wing will be Ronnye Beamon (#25), who has a similar build to Diakite. Beamon is 6'5-195, and is averaging 8.5 points per game. The toughest match up for Marshall will be Ryan Taylor-like, 6'6-230 power forward, DeJuan Marrero (#15). He is leading the team in minutes per game and he attacks the glass with aggression and could possibly get Taylor in foul trouble with the way he plays. He is averaging 9.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. Morehead State doesn't have a notable big man. They play the 5 position by committee, which is comprised of 6'9-220 Ty'Quan Bitting (#0), 6'5-235 Treshaad Williams (#1), and 6'10-210 Keion Alexander (#3).
- I see this game being a very interesting match up for Marshall. Morehead State doesn't possess a lot of size, but that's not necessarily a good match up for Marshall because Morehead State should be able to guard our perimeter game.
- Morehead State doesn't rely on a single player either. They'll throw a lot of bodies at Marshall, with each one contributing to the cause.
- Will Coach D'Antoni stick with his core and not allow Morehead State's substitution patterns to throw off what he wants to do, or will we see some first time players (Thieneman/Bledsoe) hit the court tonight?
- Morehead State will attack the glass and will attack our post players. Can Ryan Taylor stay out of foul trouble, can Ajdin Penava hold up against a more physical group, and can Terrence Thompson replicate the great game he had on Saturday vs NC Central? Will we need some minutes from Mijovic tonight?
- The final thing to look for tonight will be Austin Loop. Morehead State is athletic across the board. Will Loop provide the offensive spark to negate what he gives up on defense? If his match up (it will probably be Diakite) is too much for him, will we see Nikolic eat into Loop's usual 30 minutes/game?
