— By David Walsh
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Marshall University men’s basketball coach Dan D’Antoni had a flashback Wednesday night.
D’Antoni, from his sideline spot, watched Akron blow past his Thundering Herd, 85-73, in front of 5,350 fans on the team’s Blackout Game/Coal Miner 2 Night at Cam Henderson Center.
“Try to look for something positive,” D’Antoni said. “I thought back to year one. Not seen things like that happen. We haven’t found it yet.”
Akron found its shooting touch from the outset, especially from three-point range. The Zips (6-2) made 11 to five for Marshall (2-5) and that made a big difference.
What the Zips did Wednesday is what D’Antoni watched his Herd do the past couple of years with Jon Elmore and C.J. Burks at guard.
They are gone now and opponents are taking advantage of Marshall’s youth.
“Teams are doing the same things we’ve been doing,” D’Antoni said. “It’s difficult to guard if you don’t know how to pull it off. This team has got some things to do. I hope the crowd stays with this young team.”
Akron secured its first road win though the two losses came at West Virginia and No. 1 Louisville. The Zips have not lost at home and now have a 15-13 all-time series lead against the Herd.
Tyler Cheese, Akron’s leading scorer (16.6), managed only three points. Loren Cristian Jackson and Xeyrius Williams more than picked up the slack. Jackson finished with 28 points and Williams 25 along with 14 rebounds for a double-double.
“We came out very flat, gave up way too many offensive rebounds (15-6 offensive, 41-24 overall),” Herd guard Jerrod West said. “We didn’t do the job on our end. Effort, our energy we can control. They set the tone for the game. We got smacked in the mouth.”
Taevion Kinsey led Marshall with 14 points.
Iran Bennett, in foul trouble much of the game, added 13 points and a team-high six boards. West netted 12.
“They got spacing, made shots,” West said. “They made 11-of-22 from three, can’t ask for much more than that. We’ll learn.”
A disappointed Bennett said playing smarter is the way he can help his team. One foul came on a double-foul call and one on a technical.
“It’s very difficult,” said Bennett. “It’s on me. I’ve got to be in better spots. We can’t dig ourselves a hole like that.”
Akron’s largest lead was 19 points (55-36) with 16:19 to play. The Zips practically led from start to finish. The Herd’s Jannson Williams did not play the second half (sickness).
“We’ve not made the big points,” D’Antoni said, referring to coming back. “We have to find our rhythm.”
D’Antoni believes his young team can get things turned around — and the Herd has faced a tough schedule.
“The difference … I look at the roster of the other team,” D’Antoni said. “That’s what happens when you replenish. Don’t panic. The kids are going to learn.”
The same goes for the 6-foot-9 sophomore Bennett, a full-timer this year and splitting time a year ago.
“He’s made the big jump,” D’Antoni said. “The T (technical), can’t have that. When he does things right, he’s unstoppable.”
Marshall, 0-2 against Mid-American Conference teams this year, sees another Sunday with a rematch against Toledo on the road at 2 p.m.
The Rockets had their way against the Herd on Nov. 10 at the Cam, 96-70.