By Matt Schabert, Morehead State Athletic Media Relations
MOREHEAD, Ky. — With finals week behind them, the Morehead State men’s basketball team is ready to get back to action, and it starts with a rivalry game Monday night against Marshall at 7 p.m. ET.
The game, presented by St. Claire Healthcare, will air live on WIVY-96.3 FM and on ESPN+. It’s Holiday Hoops with special music from DJ Forerunner and holiday themed activities in addition to the action on the court.
The Eagles (5-5) have been off since a Dec. 7 game at Illinois State. Marshall meanwhile sits at 3-6 in 2019-20.
GAME NOTES
• The series with Marshall marks one of the Eagles’ longest running series as the teams will meet for the 101st time since 1939. In fact, this is the fourth longest-running series in program history, trailing only current OVC foes Eastern Kentucky (188), Murray State (170) and Austin Peay (110).
• Marshall owns a slight 53-47 edge in wins in the series but the Eagles have not lost to the ‘Herd in a game at Johnson Arena since 2006-07. Taking it a step further, in games played at MSU, the Eagles are 5-1 against Marshall since 1997-98.
• Junior guard Justin Thomas continues to be one of the best steal specialists in the nation, Despite being held without a theft at Illinois State, Thomas still leads the OVC and ranks 15th nationally with 2.7 steals per outing.
• Senior guard Jordan Walker is among an elite group of MSU players to achieve at least 1,200 career points, 200 assists and 100 steals. He recently joined Ricky Minard (2000-04), Angelo Warner (2011-15), Demonte Harper (2007-11) and Guy Minnifield (1981-84).
• JordanWalker needs just six more three pointers (to get to 175 career triples) to become just the second player in program history with 1,200 points, 200 assists, 100 steals and 175 three-pointers made (Ricky Minard).
• In the past two seasons (43) games, Jordan Walker has only been held without a made three-pointer in five games.
• In the past three games, Morehead State’s defense has limited opponents to just 59.6 points per game and only 36 percent field goal accuracy.
• Freshman forward Tyzhaun Claudeleads all Ohio Valley Conference freshmen in rebounding. The 6-foot-9 Claude averages 6.6 per game while also scoring the same 6.6 per game average.
• Morehead State is 10-for-10 this year in using the same starting lineup. Jordan Walker, Djimon Henson, James Baker, Justin Thomas and LJ Bryan have been the starting five every game.
• Morehead State has hit at least one three-pointer in 415 consecutive games. The last time the Eagles failed to drain one from distance was in 2007 against Jacksonville State.