— By David Walsh
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Marshall men’s basketball fans got their first look at the 2021-22 team Tuesday night during an intrasquad scrimmage at Cam Henderson Center.
The White Team, made up of the Thundering Herd veterans, prevailed over the Black Team of backups and newcomers, 102-89.
Senior Taevion Kinsey, named to the Conference USA All-Preseason first team, led the White squad with a game-high 25 points. He paced the team in scoring a year ago with a 19.5 average. Earlier this week, Kinsey, who is from Columbus, Ohio, was named to the 2022 Jerry West Award Preseason Watch List as one of the best 20 shooting guards in NCAA Division I men’s basketball.
Veteran point guard Andy Taylor added 21 points and a team-high 11 assists. Goran Miladinovic contributed 17 points and Obinna Anocchi-Killen 16.
“You got to see a little bit of everybody,” said Taylor. “Across the board a lot of people played well.”
Come Sunday, coach Dan D’Antoni gets to the see his team in action against outside competition when Division II Davis & Elkins visits for an exhibition game at 2 p.m. at Henderson Center.
“Everybody felt really excited,” Taylor said. “Last year was the Covid year. You think there’s a chance we might go back. To see people in the stands felt really good.”
Taylor stressed Herd fans will be excited about how the freshmen progress.
“They’re tough. They’re extremely solid,” Taylor said. “Just seeing that raw talent. They have to get used to the system.”
Freshman Chase McKey topped the Black unit with 24 points and 13 rebounds. Aymeric added 20 points and Kyle Braun 19. They, too, are freshmen. Junior Markoi Sarenac finished with 16 points and 11 boards.
“Nice to see fans back in the Cam,” head coach Dan D’Antoni said. “I can’t tell you how important that is.
“Playing against yourselves is difficult. In the exhibition we can mix and match better. We’re in pretty good shape.”
Marshall will play a second exhibition at home November 7 against Pikeville.
The season opener is November 12 at home against Wright State. Start time is 7 p.m. The Herd went 15-7 a year ago and bowed out in the first round of the Conference USA Tournament.
“We’ll get better at everything,” D’Antoni said. “I can’t play them all. We’re deep. We’ve got a lot of players to get on the floor. We’ll work on our rotations.
“For the young guys to play against that team and compete like that speaks well for the future of Marshall basketball.”