A look at the Thundering Herd men

No. 30 Tirrell Baines

Forward, 6-6, 220, So.

Laurens, S.C.

2007-08 (Freshman): Named to the Conference USA All-Freshman Team...started 29 of 30 games, averaging 27.5 minutes per game...second on team in rebounds (5.8/game, 14th in C-USA), FG percentage (52.3 pct., 9th in C-USA), double-doubles (4), FT attempts (134) and FG made (124)...third on team in scoring (11.5 ppg, 20th in C-USA) and blocks (0.3/game)...made a team-high 98 free throws and shot 73.1 percent from FT line (15th in C-USA)...second in C-USA in off. rebounds (2.8/game)...reached double digits in points in 11 of first 12 games of career.

High School: Played three seasons at his hometown Laurens HS, one at Prince Avenue Prep and a season at The Patterson School in North Carolina...averaged 16 points and 12 rebounds per game at Patterson in leading the school to a 36-4 record and a berth in the national prep school semifinals...ranked the third best player in North Carolina by scout.com...ranked No. 22 in Hoop Scoop's final ranking of the top 5th year players in 2007.

Personal: Born July 3, 1986...son of Patricia Speaks...has a brother, Quinton (19), who attends Anderson College...favorite television show is Sponge Bob...undecided major.

No. 53 Marcus Goode

Center, 6-10, 315, So.

Chapin, S.C.

High School: Attended Mid-Carolina HS (Prosperity, S.C.) for three years before going on to graduate from The Patterson School (N.C.)...averaged 22 points, 17 rebounds and seven blocks per game in final prep season, helping The Patterson School to a 36-4 record and a berth in the national prep school semifinals, where he teamed with current Marshall player Tirrell Baines...received recruiting interest from Georgetown, Kansas, Georgia, Memphis, Oklahoma and Virginia.

Personal: Born Feb. 20, 1988...son of Paula Goode...nickname is Big Boi...enjoys fishing and playing video games...criminal justice major.

No. 4 Markel Humphrey

Guard/Forward, 6-6, 230, Sr.

Atlanta, Ga.

2007-08 (Junior): Named to the All-Conference USA Third Team...started 25 of 27 games played...missed three games due to stress fracture in foot, an injury he played through the majority of the season...still played a team-high 34.2 minutes per game (8th in C-USA)...numbers dropped only minimally because of injury, averaged 13.1 points (12th in C-USA) and 5.6 rebounds (17th in C-USA) per game, second and third highest on team, respectively...shot 46.9 percent from the floor (13th in C-USA)...second on team in 3-point percentage (37.5 pct), sinking 24-of-64 attempts...dished out career-high 54 assists with a team- and career-best 140 FT attempts (86-of-140)...reached 1,000-point plateau.

2006-07 (Sophomore): Named to the All-Conference USA Third Team...started all 32 games...led Thundering Herd in scoring (14.0 ppg) and rebounding (6.5 rpg)...paced team in scoring 12 times and rebounding 16 times, both team-highs...team leader in field goals made-attempted (157-of-361), free throw percentage (72.4 percent) and minutes (33.2/game).

2005-06 (Freshman): Named to the Conference USA All-Freshman Team...appeared in all 28 games...entrenched into the starting lineup for the final 21 games of season...second on team in rebounding (5.1 rpg) and fourth in scoring (7.5 ppg)

High School: Averaged 19 points per game his junior and senior seasons at Stockbridge (Ga.) High School...also averaged nine rebounds and five assists per game...was the leading scorer at the Atlanta All-Star Classic with 21...played on the Team Georgia Elite AAU team.

Personal: Born Nov. 21, 1987...son of Mark Humphrey and Sabrina Mitchell...has a brother, Quin (23), a former basketball player at Youngstown State...cousin of Earthwind Moreland, a former NFL player most recently with the 2004 Super Bowl champion New England Patriots...calls the Boston Celtics his favorite NBA team and Tayshaun Prince as his favorite player... business management major.

No. 23 Shaquille Johnson

Guard, 6-3, 195, Fr.

Jacksonville, Fla.

High School: Two-time Florida Class 5A Player of the Year as a junior and senior at Robert E. Lee HS in Jacksonville...averaged 24.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, 7.6 assists and 3.5 steals per game in final season...scored a school-record 2,205 points as a prep...Class 5A First Team All-State selection on three occasions...became first player in Robert E. Lee history to earn a Division I scholarship...second runner-up for Mr. Basketball in the state of Florida...led team to a 21-5 record and Gateway Conference title as a senior...shot 46 percent from the 3-point line as a senior...coached by Stephen Jenkins....led his Jacksonville Lee Bulls AAU team to a Florida state title and top-16 national ranking in 2007...attended Reebok's ABCD and RBKU camp...ranked the No. 32 point guard in the nation by Scout.com...chose Marshall over Minnesota, VCU, Tulane, UCF and Jacksonville...graduated with a 3.71 GPA and was named to the Who's Who Among America's Scholars list.

Personal: Born April 11, 1990...son of Derrell Johnson and Pamela Hasty, step-son of Rosalyn Johnson...grandmother is Carolyn Johnson...father is a high school girls basketball coach and played football at Nicholls State and mother played basketball at Millersville (Pa.) University...has three brothers -- Christopher Hasty (26), Derrell Johnson II (5) and the late Dante Anderson -- and a sister, Janasia Johnson (9)...cousin of Cameron Wells, the 2008 Southern Conference Men's Basketball Freshman of the Year at The Citadel...late grandfather, Ivery Black, was football coach at Texas Southern and served as a pro sports agent with a client list that includes NFL Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor...public relations major with a minor in marketing.

No. 14 Chris Lutz

Guard, 6-3, 190, Jr.

Bedford, N.H.

2007-08: Sat out season in compliance with NCAA transfer rules.

2005-07 (Purdue): Appeared in 62 games with 34 starts in two seasons at Purdue, averaging 25.8 minutes per game...named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team in 2005-06...averaged 9.2 ppg, the second-highest average among all Big Ten freshmen...set Purdue's freshman 3-point field goal record with 53...hit a trey in all but two of 28 games played as a freshman...led the Big Ten in 3-point field goal percentage in 2006-07, shooting at a 47.2 percent clip (58-for-123 )...recorded a season-high 16 points vs. Arizona in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

High School: Played one season at Brewster Academy Prep School in 2004-05 after high school career at Trinity...averaged 15.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game at Brewster...named an All-New England prep school selection...three-time first team All-State selection...Trinity's all-time leading scorer with more than 1,600 points.

Personal: Son of Wayne and Luzviminda Lutz...born Feb. 11, 1985...has one brother, Tim (30)...business management major.

No. 0 Darryl Merthie

Guard, 6-0, 190, Sr.

Sanford, Fla.

2007-08 (Junior): Started 10 of 28 games, playing 23.9 minutes per game...led the Herd in assists (2.7/game)...averaged 8.1 ppg (5th on team), 2.8 rebounds and owned an assist/turnover ratio of 1.3 ...went 31-for-99 (31.3 pct.) from 3-point range.

2006-07 (Sophomore): Appeared in all 32 games, averaging 15.6 minutes per game...tied Mark Dorris' 57 assists for second on team (1.0/game)...scored 3.9 points and grabbed 1.6 rebounds per game.

2005-06 (Freshman): Sat out as a prop 48.

High School: Played for coach George Gordon at Lake Mary High School, where he is the high school's all-time leading scorer...was a four-year starter at Lake Mary, where he averaged 30.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game...was a two-time all-state performer in Class 5A in Florida...played AAU basketball for the Tallahassee (Fla.) Wildcats.

Personal: Parents are Kim D. Jones and Darryl Keith Merthie, Sr.... father played basketball at Daytona Beach Community College and at St. Thomas...has one brother Jovan (19) and two sisters, Kay (20) and Kendall (11).

No. 2 Cam Miller

Forward, 6-8, 205, Fr.

Wheelersburg, Ohio

2008-09: Will sit out season in compliance with NCAA transfer rules.

2007-08 (Western Carolina): Averaged 11.9 minutes, 2.7 points and 2.1 rebounds in 16 games as a freshman at Western Carolina.

High School: Led Wheelersburg (Ohio) HS to a 23-3 record and a berth in the 2006 Ohio Division III Final Four...as a senior, named Ohio Division III Player of the Year, first team All-Ohio, first team All-District 13 and first team All-Southeast District while averaging 18.2 points and 7.0 rebounds with a 56.9 field goal percentage for the Pirates.

Personal: Born April 24, 1988...son of Mike Miller and Jennifer Rase...also lived with grandmother, Lois Rase, who helped raise him...has a brother, Michael (11), and two sisters, Cassidy (12) and Carson (10)...undecided major.

No. 10 Dago Pena

Guard/Forward, 6-6, 220, Fr.

Punta Gorda, Fla.

High School: Attended Florida Prep as a freshman before playing final three seasons at Charlotte HS...averaged 20 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two steals while shooting 48 percent from the floor as a senior...named to the Florida Class 5A all-state first team and finished runner-up to fellow Marshall signee Shaquille Johnson in 5A Player of the Year voting...named Charlotte Sun and Sarasota Herald Tribune Player of the Year, Mr. Southwest Florida and chosen to the third team all-class in Florida...originally signed NLI with Florida Atlantic prior to senior season, but was granted release...ranked No. 141 in Rivals.com's Class of 2008 national rankings and No. 68 by Slam magazine.

Personal: Born June 14, 1988...son of Dagoberto Pena and Cristina Rincon...mother was a 12-year veteran of the Dominican Republic national basketball team...has a brother, Hector (18), and a sister, Cristina (14)...his cousin, Yajaira Montilla, is a member of the Dominican national team...played on Dominican junior national team with Louisville guard Edgar Sosa along with David Minaya (Tennessee Tech) and Luis Gusman (Temple)...undecided major.

No. 3 Damier Pitts

Guard, 5-10, 165, Fr.

Charlotte, N.C.

High School: Led Hargrave Military Academy (Va.) to a 29-0 record and the 2008 National Prep Championship...netted 22 points with eight rebounds, four assists and three steals in the championship game...ranked the No. 8 point guard and No. 96 overall player for the Class of '08 by Scout.com...averaged 25 points and nine assists...played AAU ball for the Carolina Raptors, where he averaged 40 points, seven assists and four rebounds per game...led Panthers to the 15-under national title in Kingswood, Texas...graduated with a 3.8 GPA...chose Marshall over Oklahoma, South Carolina and South Florida.

Personal: Born Dec. 31, 1989...son of Dale and Dena Pitts...father played football at Johnson C. Smith... lists Chris Paul as his favorite player...sports management and marketing major.

No. 1 Brandon Powell

Guard, 6-3, 200, So.

Memphis, Tenn.

2007-08: Sat out season in compliance with NCAA transfer rules.

2006-07 (Florida): Appeared in 23 games for the national champion Gators, averaging 4.0 minutes per game.

High School: Attended Mitchell HS in Memphis...averaged 20.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.2 steals per game during senior season...All-State selection and Player of the Year for the city of Memphis in both junior and senior seasons.

Personal: Born June 17, 1987...son of Gina Powell...one of 10 siblings...has six brothers and three sisters...favorite player is LeBron James...science major.

No. 24 Octavius Spann

Forward, 6-7, 225, Jr.

College Park, Ga.

2007-08: Sat out season in compliance with NCAA transfer rules.

2005-07 (Georgetown): Appeared in 22 games over two seasons at Georgetown, averaging 3.2 minutes per game...averaged 1.3 points and 1.0 rebounds with the Hoyas...played on a Final Four team.

High School: Attended Banneker HS outside of Atlanta...averaged 26.7 points, 12.3 rebounds, 3.0 blocks and 3.0 assists during senior year.

Personal: Born April 2, 1987...son of Julia Thornton and Oscar Spann...nickname is "Tay"...has a brother, Emmanuel, who is a wide receiver on the Marshall football team...sociology major.

No. 34 Kore White

Forward, 6-8, 230, Fr.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

High School: Three-year starter at Dillard HS, where he led the Panthers to a 29-2 record and the Class 5A Florida state title as a senior...averaged a double-double (15 pts, 11 rebs) with eight blocks per game in senior campaign en route to being selected to the 5A All-State First Team...posted four straight games with at least 10 blocks...named to the South Florida Sun Sentinel "Fab Five" team...chose Marshall over UNLV, Miami (Fla.), Ole Miss, Florida State, Penn State and South Florida.

.Personal: Born Dec. 10, 1989...son of Myrel White...has two sisters, Kayce (24) and Nikki (30)...favorite NBA player is Amare Stoudemire...after playing days are over, hopes to help build churches...business management major.

No. 32 Tyler Wilkerson

Forward, 6-8, 240, Jr.

Lexington, Ky.

2007-08 (Sophomore): Appeared in all 30 games with 17 starts, playing 21.7 minutes per game...led team in rebounding (5.9/game, 13th in C-USA), FG percentage (55.6 pct., 6th in C-USA), double-doubles (6, t-4th in C-USA) and blocked shots (1.0/game, 13th in C-USA)...averaged 9.2 points per game.

2006-07 (Freshman): Appeared in 28 games with one start, averaging 11.6 minutes per game...fourth on team in rebounding (3.8/game)...43.8 percent of rebounds came on the offensive glass (46-of-105)...scored 2.6 ppg.

High School: Standout at Lafayette HS in Lexington...averaged 19 points and 12.4 rebounds his senior season...Lexington Herald-Leader 1st Team All City, Lexington Herald Leader 2nd Team All State, 43rd District Team, Defenders of the Station Invitational All Tournament Team...played in Kentucky vs. Indiana and Kentucky vs. Ohio all-star games.

Personal: Son of Deborah Huguely and Douglas Wilkerson...has five siblings -- Jarrell Wilkerson (22), Darrin Williams (20), Treyvon Williams (17), Jalen Wilkerson (15), and Haley Wilkerson (6)...favorite NBA team is the Miami Heat, favorite player is Amare Stoudamire.

No. 25 Adam Williams

Guard, 6-4, 210, Jr.

St. Albans, W.Va.

2007-08 (Sophomore): Appeared in 25 games with two starts, averaging 8.5 minutes per game...evolved into team's defensive stopper off bench, often guarding opposing team's top scorer.

2006-07: Sat out season in compliance with NCAA transfer rules

2005-06 (Kentucky): Played at the University of Kentucky his freshman season...appeared in eight games for the Wildcats, averaged 0.5 points and 0.4 rebounds.

High School: Gatorade West Virginia High School Player of the Year in 2003-04 at St. Albans HS when he averaged 22.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists...two-time first team all-state selection...won the Bill Evans Award Winner (AP top player) in 2004.

Personal: Son of Tex and Sandy Williams...father is a member of the Marshall Athletic Hall of Fame...has two siblings, Zivia Kocher (48) and Kim Williams (51).

-- Information from www.herdzone.com.