COLUMN
The 2012 calendar year can be summed up in an oxymoron for Herd fans. It’s been frustratingly optimistic.
What? Frustratingly optimistic?
That’s right. Over the past 12 months, Marshall fans have had a taste of the success their favorite programs could have but were left with the feeling The Herd never realized its full potential. Marshall football and basketball seemed to be right on the edge of taking that proverbial next step in 2012 but instead only showed glimpses of what could be.
Go back The Herd’s remarkable run through the Conference USA tournament in March as an example of the level of play Marshall is capable of. The Herd knocked of Tulsa in a triple-overtime thriller then beat rival Southern Miss to reach its first C-USA title game. However, by the time Marshall reached the championship round against Memphis it was clear the team was fatigued from the grueling run through the tournament. However, it seemed to fans the basketball team was headed in the right direction. The Herd received an invitation to the NIT but was bounced in the first round by Middle Tennessee State.
Fast forward to the start of the current season and the expectations for the team were through the roof. However, Marshall has not lived up to those expectations so far. Fans are left frustratingly optimistic because The Herd has beaten itself more than the opposition has beaten The Herd. Marshall is ranked 337of 345 teams in the nation in free throw shooting, leaving 147 points at the foul line. If The Herd just makes its free throws the outcomes of games against West Virginia, South Dakota State, Hofstra, and Cincinnati could have been different. Fans know The Herd is yet to reach its potential.
The 2012 football season is the epitome of being optimistic about the future but frustrated with the current results. Rakeem Cato led an offense that produced points and statistics that haven’t been seen since Byron Leftwich and Chad Pennington commanded the Thundering Herd. Marshall ranked in the top 10 in the country in passing offense, total offense, and scoring offense. Rakeem Cato was fifth in the nation in total offense. Nine players earned postseason Conference USA honors. However, The Herd didn’t spend the holidays preparing and playing in a bowl game. Marshall sat at home thanks largely to a defense that ranked near the bottom of every statistical category in the country.
Fans were teased with just a sample of the success they are so eagerly waiting to enjoy again. There’s an optimistic feeling regarding the future. If Marshall can come close to matching its offensive performance in 2013, an average defense would be sufficient for The Herd to compete for the C-USA title.
In 2012 fans were subjected to the pleasure of seeing vast improvements in the football and basketball programs but also had to sit through the torture of watching Marshall beat itself more often than not.
2013 is a new year and a chance to wipe the slate clean. Hopefully 365 days from now we’re discussing championship runs and not what could have been.