The Marshall University men’s basketball team officially began practicing Tuesday in the Cam Henderson Center.

This is the first time the team will be practicing together since the coronavirus stopped all sports play back in March. The Herd was in the middle of competing for the Conference USA Championship title during the C-USA Basketball Tournament in Frisco, Texas when the remaining games were canceled.

The last game Marshall played was on March 11 against the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) during the C-USA Tournament in which the Herd won 86-78.

Marshall men’s basketball head coach Dan D’Antoni said the team has dealt with the uncertain times but have gotten better as a team.

“It’s crazy times,” D’Antoni said. “We were playing at probably our best when it stopped. I feel confident that we’ve gotten better. We do the best we can with distance and masking up as much as possible. We certainly do our best.”

D’Antoni said the Herd will be ready to compete in practice and games as the opportunities become available while dealing with COVID-19.

“When you compete, you compete,” D’Antoni said. “Our kids compete, they’re great young men, they’ve been a blessing for me. We’re going to come out and compete and our level of play will be there. I look forward to every practice and every game.”

Junior guard Taevion Kinsey said the team is ready to get the season started after the way last season abruptly ended.

“It’s definitely been some trials and tribulations,” Kinsey said. “I’m ready to get it going and I think our guys are ready to get it going as well.”

Kinsey said the Herd will be taking advantage of every opportunity as the season begins along with following all procedures and guidelines for health and safety.

“I think these guys are hungry to start the season,” Kinsey said. “You’re going to do everything you can. We keep jelling off the court and on the court. I think we will be fine. We’re just taking every opportunity as it comes.”

Redshirt sophomore guard Andrew Taylor said games can’t be taken for granted, especially while dealing with the ongoing coronavirus.

“You can’t take any game for granted because you never know when the whole thing can shut down like last year,” Taylor said. “No one expected that. The last few months have been crazy.”

Senior guard Jarrod West said he’s confident in this year’s team.

“I feel like a good saying for us would be ‘unfinished business,’” West said. “I feel like we got a great opportunity with the guys coming back this year to make noise.”

Taylor Huddleston can be contacted at [email protected].