The Marshall University men’s basketball team continues to practice in hopes of being able to participate in the 2020-21 season and potentially claim the Conference USA title.

Marshall head coach Dan D’Antoni said the team used Saturday as a day to scrimmage to assess where the team stands and highight the strengths of each player.

“We scrimmaged on Saturday (the score was) 106-105,” D’Antoni said. “We’re going to try to replicate playing someone else but playing ourselves obviously. We’ll probably be playing three or four in place of the exhibitions (games). We’re in good shape. Defensively, we’ve got some work to do. Everything was there. We’ll see what happens.”

Senior guard Jarrod West said practices have been beneficial and the Herd is looking forward to the opportunities this season will bring with the addition of freshmen players CJ Meredith, David Early and Obinna Anochili-Killen.

“Practices have been good. We’ve been working hard; we’re learning and getting better,” West said. “I’m excited about all of this getting started. We’re just trying to make the best of our opportunities. I feel like we’ve been doing a good job of what we’re doing and what we can control.”

Redshirt senior forward Jannson Williams said the team is eager to play but have to follow all COVID-19 protocols in order to be able to play basketball.

“We want to play so bad. We have to follow a lot of rules to play” Williams said.  “I’m very glad I’ve got these guys to get along with. We’re doing our best to be able to play this season.”

Williams said he is focused for his last season with the Herd and is in the best shape of his life.

 “I’m definitely able to handle the ball better, so I will be able to count that as a threat for my game, along with my three-point shot is looking good. I’m in the best shape of my life.”

The full 2020-21 schedule for Marshall men’s basketball will be released at a later date.

Taylor Huddleston can be contacted at [email protected].