Marshall basketball preview: Marshall @ UTEP

Herd resumes CUSA play by traveling to UTEP for midweek contest

CUSA-fans.com has a new staff of team correspondents this season to help bring you, the fan, more detailed Conference USA sports coverage. Today, our new Marshall Correspondent Paul Wood previews the basketball game between Marshall and UTEP.

January 10, 2007

Marshall travels to El Paso to take on the Miners of UTEP on Wednesday night. The game is scheduled for a 9:05 p.m EST tip-off.

Marshall (5-9, 0-1) is coming off a disappointing loss at George Washington. The Herd let a 17-point halftime lead slip through their grasp and lost 74-65. MU has failed to put together a complete tip-to-buzzer effort all season long.

The Herd opened conference play on December 4 at Memphis, losing 78-59. UTEP is coming off a conference-opening win over UAB (76-63).

Sophomore forward Markel Humphrey leads the Herd. Humphrey is averaging 13.7 points per game and 6.3 rebounds per game. Senior guard/forward Travis Aikens (12.8 ppg) and junior guard Mark Dorris (12 ppg) are the only other Herd players averaging double digit scoring.

UTEP is paced by Conference USA’s second leading scorer, guard Stephon Jackson (19.8 ppg). Jackson is the only Miner averaging in double figures in scoring. Point guard Malik Alvin is third in CUSA assists with 5.3 assists per game.

Marshall will try to attack UTEP with the press and force the Miners to run the court. The Herd has used the press very effectively at times this year.

MU must also contain Jackson and force UTEP to look elsewhere for points.