For the first time in its history, Herd That has advanced to the semifinal round of The Basketball Tournament.
The Marshall-alumni based squad moved to within two victories of the $1 million grand prize Sunday with an 88-71 win over Boeheim’s Army at WesBanco Arena.
While Herd That used proficient perimeter shooting to seize control of the contest during a dominant third quarter and was plus-12 in rebounding against one of the tallest rosters in TBT, at least some of the team’s success over the last week can be attributed to something not seen in a box score.
“I’m fairly new to the mix that they have and the chemistry and camaraderie,” said guard Rob Gray, a welcomed addition to the roster who played collegiately at Howard and Houston. “They’ve known each other for years being from the same state or playing at Marshall, but they all love the game of basketball. It’s kind of refreshing, because we play year-round and it becomes a job and a way you feed your family. But the contagious love they have for the game, whether the tournament is for a million or a dollar, they’d still be here with that same energy in the gym competing. It just all trickles down. Everyone loves the game.”
Guard Jon Elmore, a West Virginia native who enjoyed one of the more decorated careers in Marshall hoops history, has spoken at length about the team’s depth and selflessness, both of which were on display over a span of four victories in six days in Wheeling.
Gray led all players with 27 points in an opening-round win over Zoo Crew, a team comprised of former Pitt players. He was one of six Herd That players with at least nine points that night.
Two days later, in a 74-61 victory over Best Virginia, Herd That won the fourth quarter by 14 points and had five double-figure scorers, led by Elmore and James Kelly’s 16 points apiece, while Gray contributed 15.
There were four double-figure scorers for Herd That in Saturday’s 73-64 victory over Sideline Cancer in the West Virginia Regional final, and again four double-figure scorers that all totaled at least 15 points Sunday.
“Like Rob said, the love and passion for the game and the genuine rooting and cheering for your brothers and teammates to keep fighting and have success, you don’t see that everywhere,” Elmore said. “This is a special group on and off the court. We’re having just as much fun at team meals and enjoying each other’s presence as we are during the games. Hopefully we can keep this ride going a little longer.”
While the camaraderie across Herd That’s roster was noticeable throughout the team’s play in Wheeling, so, too, was the talent and ability to rise to the occasion in critical spots.
Elmore is the only player to score in double figures all four contests, although Gray is Herd That’s top scorer with an average of 17.5 points.
Derek Cooke Jr. had a pair of double-figure rebounding efforts and scored at least 10 points twice, while forward James Kelly follows Gray and Elmore in scoring with 43 points for the tournament.
Jacorey Williams has at least six points in every game and scored 16 against Boeheim’s Army, while defensive-minded JP Tokoto has provided invaluable minutes and scored 38 points over the four games.
After scoring 4 points and attempting only five shots the first two games, Taevion Kinsey made 10-of-13 shots and combined for 25 points in a reserve role against Sideline Cancer and Boeheim’s Army. The leading scorer in Marshall history, who passed Elmore hold that title, took over for stretches during the team’s two most recent games.
“He didn’t play very much the first two games and he sort of struggled a little bit, but he had the best attitude on the bench,” said Ot Elmore, Herd That coach/GM. “He was pumping everybody up and he was all about the team. If you have a good attitude, good things happen to good people. He finally got his chance and capitalized and now he’s taking off. It all started with him having a great attitude even when things probably weren’t going the way he envisioned.”
Fellow reserve Jarrod West also provided a big lift off the bench. After playing less than 8 total minutes and not attempting a shot in the first two games, West scored eight total points against Sideline Cancer and Boeheim’s Army, while making a three-pointer and providing a defensive spark in both matchups.
“Credit to Taevion, he gave us that spark again,” Jon Elmore said. “Jarrod played good defense as well. Having that depth and having the ability to constantly rotate guys and try to grind teams down and get them tired, that’s what we did again. The second half of the Sideline Cancer game, we had an amazing third and early fourth quarter and the same thing again [Sunday]. Maybe we’re just a second-half team and need to improve in the first half.”
Herd That stayed in Wheeling on Sunday and travels Monday to Philadelphia. Upon arriving, the team will have about 48 hours in the City of Brotherly Love to prepare for Wednesday’s 7 p.m. semifinal against Team Heartfire.
A win would allow Herd That to play in Thursday’s TBT final with $1 million at stake for the winning team.
“As long as we keep that good, contagious energy and keep believing in ourselves first and foremost,” Gray said, “then the sky is the limit.”