Marshall Basketball: Recruiting & Next Year’s Scholarship Limit

Tonight seniors Dennis Tinnon, Nigel Spikes, and Robert Goff play their last game in the Cam Henderson Center as Marshall takes on Southern Miss at 7pm. With the trios departure Thundering Herd head basketball coach Tom Herrion has been busy on the recruiting trail, securing a commitment from junior college guard Justin Edmonds yesterday.

As it currently stands, Marshall has ten returning and four incoming scholarship players for the 2013/2014 season. With a scholarship limit of 13 the Herd is already over the mark. Here is a quick look at next year’s anticipated roster.

Returning

1) DeVince Boykins, SG, RS SO

2) Kareem Canty, PG, FR

3) Jamir Hanner, PF, JR

4) JP Kambola, C, JR

5) DeAndre Kane, SG, SR

6) Tamron Manning, PG/SG, SO

7) Chris Martin, PG/SG, JR

8) Yous Mbao, C, SR

9) D.D. Scaver, SG, SR

10) Elijah Pittman, SF/PF, SR

Incoming

1) Justin Edmonds, SG, JR

2) Shawn Smith, SG, JR

3) Ryan Taylor, SG/SF, FR

4) TyQuane Goard, PF, RS SO

As we have seen in the past, it is possible that some players scheduled to return might leave the program (ex: Aundra Williams, Johnny Thomas, Eladio Esonosa, Xavier Humphery). DeAndre Kane will graduate this semester and he could leave for the professional ranks although, all signs point to his return. Forward Jamir Hanner was left at home during the Herds game at Houston last Saturday. In addition to missing the road trip Hanner has been held out of five other Conference USA contest this year. Given his limited playing time and deep spot in Herrion’s dog house, it would not surprise me if Hanner leaves. Another front court player, JP Kambola has played 51 total minutes during his two year Thundering Herd career. Although he offers impressive size at 6-foot-9, 240 pounds, it might be time for the Canadian big man to find another program.

In addition to being over the scholarship limit Herrion is still on the prowl for additional frontcourt help. One of Edmonds teammates at Owens Community College, 6-foot-8 forward James Kelly, took an official visit to Marshall in October and has a scholarship offer in hand.

Either way it will be interesting to see how Herrion handles his roster after what has been a disappointing season.