Marshall Basketball: DD Scarver Latest to Leave the Program

Through a press release Marshall University basketball coach Tom Herrion announced that rising senior shooting guard D.D. Scarver has left the program.

Scarver arrived at Marshall from Trinity Valley Community College (Texas) as the 23rd best junior college prospect in the nation according to JucoRecruiting.com. During his second season at Trinity, Scarver was named a NJCAA All-American and Region XIV Player of the Year after averaging 24.1 points per game.

In his lone season with the Thundering Herd Scarver appeared in all 32 games, starting 29 while averaging 26.4 minutes, 11.9 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assist per contest. He also lead Marshall in three-point attempts, taking 199 shots from beyond the arc, hitting 65 of them for a .327 field goal percentage.

Scarver joins two other former players, Chris Martin and DeAndre Kane, who have left Marshall's basketball program this offseason with eligibility remaining.

Marshall Football: Date Change for ECU

Earlier today Conference USA announced three date changes for the upcoming football season including ECU's visit to Marshall.

Previously scheduled for Saturday November 30th, the Thundering Herd and Pirates will now meet on Friday November 29th. The change was made to accommodate a national television broadcast on a yet to be determined network.

For the full release from C-USA click here.

Marshall Football: Herd Ends Spring Practice with Green-White Game

Marshall University ended spring football practice Saturday afternoon with the annual Green-White game. In front of 5,115 fans at Joan C. Edwards stadium the green team (offense) defeated the white squad (defense) 55-38.

For more on yesterday's scrimmage follow the links below.

Huntington Herald Dispatch

Herd wraps up spring 

Chuck Landon: Spring ball brings more excitement than usual

Defense comes together

Grant Taylor: Herd spring has run its course

Charleston Daily Mail

Green-White Report, featuring "Cato" Kaelin (Al Cowlings and Judge Lance Ito not included)

Charleston Gazette

Herd closes drills on up note

West Virginia Metro News

Herd wraps up spring

HerdZone.com

Mitchell Moves Up, Makes Hits, Open Eyes

Herd Insider

Thundering Herd wraps up spring game with annual G-W Game

Marshall Football: Aaron Dobson Selected by Patriots in Second Round of NFL Draft

Marshall University wide receiver Aaron Dobson was selected in the second round, 59th overall, by the New England Patriots during day two of the NFL draft.

A all Conference USA second team selection during his senior season, Dobson caught 57 passes for 679 yards and three touchdowns. In 2011 the West Virginia native had a breakout campaign, leading the Thundering Herd with 668 receiving yards and a team high 12 touchdowns. He leaves Marshall ranked 11th all time in receptions (165) and ninth (2,398) in yards by catch.

Dobson joins a Patriots roster in need of outside receivers  Leaning on standout tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, New England wide receivers caught 59 percent of passes thrown by the team last season, a league low. The Patriots also lost Pro Bowler Wes Welker to the Denver Broncos this off-season and last years second leading receiver, Brandon Llyod, remains unsigned. New England acquired Danny Amendola in free agency but Julian Edelman's 235 receiving yards leads all returning wide receivers.

Dobson is one of six Marshall receivers selected in the NFL draft including former Patriots Troy Brown and Randy Moss.

Marshall Basketball: DeAndre Kane Leaves Herd

Marshall University basketball player DeAndre Kane will not return for his senior season. In a press release issued earlier today head coach Tom Herrion had this to say about Kane’s future.

“After meeting with DeAndre, I have decided it is in our program’s and his best interest that he seek opportunities elsewhere,”. “We appreciate his contributions to our team and wish him the best in his future.”

As a junior Kane averaged 37.1 minutes and 7.0 assist per game, both team highs. He finished second to Elijah Pittman in scoring while averaging 15.1 points per game. With those numbers Kane was named to Conference USA’s All Second Team, a distinction he also received as a sophomore. Kane was honored as C-USA’s freshman of the year in 2011 after averaging 15.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assist per game.

Despite only playing three years Kane leaves Marshall as the Herds 15^th all time leading scorer. He also ranks 11^th in steals and 8^th in all time assists.  

If Kane graduates this semester (a definite possibility according to multiple reports) he can transfer to another school and play immediately if the institution offers a graduate program unavailable at Marshall. He could also enter his name in the NBA Draft or pursue professional opportunities overseas.

Marshall Football: Spring Football Scrimmage, 4/20/13

Notes from Saturday's scrimmage as Marshall closed its second to last week of spring football practice.

Huntington Herald Dispatch

New players step up for Herd

Chuck Landon: Defense continuing to exceed expectations

Charleston Daily Mail

Spring Practice Report for Scrimmage No. 2, Saturday, April 20

WV Metro News

Herd looks balanced in scrimmage

Charleston Gazette

Up and down scrimmage for Herd defense

Marshall notebook: Herd glad to have Roberts back on corner

Herd Insider

Football stats from scrimmage April 20, 2013

Marshall Football: Kevin Grooms Arrested

Marshall University running back Kevin Grooms was arrested early Sunday morning. According to the Western Regional Jail, Grooms was charged with a pair of misdemeanors, underage consumption and obstruction of justice.

The athletic department released the following statement on Groom's arrest, "We are aware of Kevin's situation and will handle it appropriately and internally." 

Last season Grooms rushed for 737 yards and eight touchdowns on his way to being named Conference USA freshman on the year.

C-USA Basketball: FIU Hires Evans

In a press conference tomorrow FIU will introduce Anthony Evans as its next head basketball coach.

Evans has lead Norfolk State for the past six seasons. In 2012 the Spartans reached unprecedented heights, earning the schools first NCAA Tournament appearance and a win over two seeded Missouri as a 15 seed. This season Norfolk State won the MEAC regular season title and qualified for the NIT.

Evans takes over for Richard Pitino who took the head coaching position at Minnesota earlier this month.

Marshall Football: Spring Practice, Scrimmage Notes 4/13/13

Notes from Marshall University's spring football scrimmage on Saturday April 13th.

Charleston Daily Mail

Spring Practice Report for Saturday, April 13

Herd Insider

Herd Football scrimmage report and statistics

West Virginia Metro News

Herd turns up intensity in scrimmage 

Huntington Herald Dispatch

Herd defense digs in

Chuck Landon: Marshall defense goes on a Heater

Charleston Gazette

Holliday encouraged by Herd's first scrimmage

Marshall notebook: Kersey's bad day could be a learning experience

Marshall Football: Spring Practice, Day Six

A collection of articles on the sixth day of Marshall University's spring football practice.

Huntington Herald Dispatch

Chuck Landon: Marshall may tackle better with some time

Charleston Daily Mail

Spring Practice Report for Tuesday, April 9

Marshall football: Transfers seek piece of action at wideout

Charleston Gazette

Pennington helped bring Furrey to Herd staff

West Virginia Metro News

Offensive line working on communication

Herd Zone

Furrey Happy with Many Receivers and One Reception

Marshall Football: Top Recruit Angelo Jean-Louis Arrested

One of Marshall's top football recruits from the class of 2013 was arrested early Tuesday morning on two counts of using a fraudulent access device.

According to court records, wide receiver Angelo Jean Louis used a stolen credit card for two different purchases at the 7-Eleven across from campus on 5th Avenue. Jean-Louis carried out transactions totaling $14 and $11.

Jean-Louis was placed under arrest by a Marshall University police officer and booked at the Western Regional Jail at 4:30am. Bail was set at $20,000 and according to reports Jean-Louis was released on bond at 11:35am.

Jean-Louis signed a letter of intent with Miami out of Florida’s Palm Beach Central High School in 2012 but did not have the grades to qualify for admittance. One of ESPN’s top 150 recruits, he attended Fork Union Military Academy last fall and enrolled at Marshall in January. As a academic non-qualifier Jean-Louis has not participated in spring practice. 

Marshall released a statement on Jean Louis this morning, "We are aware of his situation. We will handle the matter internally and appropriately.". No updated was provided on the arrest after today's spring practice session. 

Marshall Football: Marques Aiken Joins Cincinnati Bearcats

Earlier today former Marshall University defensive tackle Marques Aiken announced via Twitter that he has found a new football home with the Cincinnati Bearcats.

A rising senior, Aiken graduated from Marshall in December and left the football program shortly thereafter. As a junior he played a vital role along the Thundering Herds defensive front, starting 10 of 12 games while registering 37 tackles, 6.5 for loss, and two sacks.

At Cincinnati Aiken will be reunited with former Marshall assistant Fred Tate, the Bearcats current defensive line coach. A graduate transfer, Aiken will be eligible to play immediately.

Marshall Football: Spring Practice, Day Five

A collection of articles from the fifth day of Marshall University's spring football practice.

Herd Insider

Doc Holliday mostly pleased with Herd at end of week two, and Big Bird flying around at safety

Huntington Herald Dispatch

Herd offense sets tone

All eyes on defense

Swede dreams

Herd numbers rising

Chuck Landon: Cato not only hot QB in practice for Marshall

Charleston Daily Mail

Spring Practice Report for Saturday, April 6

Marshall football: Heater, Herd defense get back to basics

Charleston Gazette

Herd's 'Big Bird' needs to get down at safety

Roberts Returns More than Depth to Corner

Marshall Football: Spring Practice, Day 4

A collection of articles from the fourth day of Marshall University's spring football practice.

Huntington Herald Dispatch

Herd defense doing some good things

Herd offense sets tone

Charleston Daily Mail

Spring Patrice Notes for Thursday, April 4th

Marshall football: Herd cornerback Leggett working to stay in the mix

Charleston Gazette

Hartley earning praise in new role

Marshall's Swedish import elevated to first team

Herd Zone

Combs' Late Arrival Works out Just Fine

C-USA Basketball: Jones Joins ODU & Pitino Leaves FIU

The basketball coaching ranks in Conference USA added and lost a member today.

After firing long time coach Blaine Taylor in February, Old Dominion University started a nation wide search for his replacement. The Monarchs found Taylor's successor in Washington D.C., hiring American University head coach Jeff Jones. Jones lead American for 12 seasons, accumulating a record of 212-182, four Patriot League regular season titles, and the schools only two NCAA Tournament appearances. Prior to AU, Jones served as head coach at Virginia, reaching the NCAA Tournament six times in eight years. He also won the 1992 NIT championship in his second season with the Cavaliers.

While ODU was hiring a new coach FIU was losing theirs. After only one year with the Golden Panthers Richard Pitino was hired away by Minnesota. In his lone season at the Miami based school Pitino reached the Sun Belt Conference tournament championship game before falling to Western Kentucky. 

Marshall Basketball: Herd Picks up JUCO Commitment Sane

Marshall's basketball program picked up a big addition Tuesday morning when Snow College forward Cheikh Tidiane Sane announced via Twitter that he would continue his college career with the Thundering Herd.

Standing 6-foot-9, Sane averaged 10.2 points and 9.1 rebounds in 31 games this season. He also blocked 49 shots.

A native of Senegal, Sane took an official visit to Marshall this weekend. Besides the Herd, he also received strong recruiting interest from Montana and Montana State. As a junior college transfer he has two years of eligibility remaining.

Sane joins fellow JUCO's Justin Edmonds and Shawn Smith in this years recruiting class along with division one transfers Ryan Taylor and TyQuane Goard.

C-USA: WKU Joins League

Earlier today Conference USA announced Western Kentucky University as its newest member. The Hilltoppers will officially join the league on July 1st 2014. In a corresponding move, Tulsa University will hold a press conference tomorrow announcing their move to the soon to be renamed Big East.

Western Kentucky has enjoyed a recent string of success in football and basketball. This year the Hilltoppers won the Sun Belt Conference men's basketball tournament championship. In the last 13 years they have advanced to seven NCAA Tournaments.

Now head football coach at South Florida, Willie Taggart lead the Hilltoppers to a bowl game and a victory over in-state rival Kentucky last year. When Taggart departed, WKU replaced him with former Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino.

With Western's move to C-USA, the Herd is looking for another out of conference football opponent. Marshall and WKU had agreed to a home and home football series in 2017 and 2018.

Marshall Baseball: Straily Starts Season in Majors

Later today Oakland Athletics pitcher Dan Straily will become Marshall University’s first alumni to crack an opening day roster in a decade.

Straily debuted with Oakland in 2012, making seven starts while accumulating a ERA of 3.89 over 39.1 innings with 32 strikeouts and 16 walks. Pitching on three different levels last season (AA, AAA, MLB), the California native punched out 222 batters, good for 6th most in all of professional baseball.

Straily’s time with the A’s could be short lived. Oakland starting pitcher Bartolo Colon has five games remaining on a 50 game suspension rendered last year after he tested positive for a banned substance.  When Colon comes off his suspension, he will likely take Straily’s spot in Oakland’s starting rotation.  

The last Marshall alum to make an opening day roster, long time reliever Rick Reed with the Minnesota Twins in 2003.