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SPORTS
Sore foot may keep Humphrey on bench
HUNTINGTON -- It looks as though Marshall University will open the Conference USA men's basketball season without two of its players.
Markel Humphrey would play if he could Wednesday at Memphis, but probably won't because of an injured foot.
Marcus Goode had knee surgery Monday that "is going to put him out for I don't know how long," head coach Donnie Jones said.
Marshall (7-6) and Memphis (10-3) play a C-USA game at 9 p.m. Wednesday in FedEXForum. The game is televised on Comcast/Charter Sports Southeast, which is Channel 68 for Comcast cable customers in Huntington.
Jones said he's giving Humphrey time off. The senior forward, an All-CUSA player with 1,138 career points, will be questionable for the Memphis game, Jones said.
Humphrey pedaled on a stationary bike during practice Monday. He hasn't been on the court since returning from a Friday defeat at San Diego where he had two points and one rebound.
"We need him, but we need him healthy," Jones said.
Humphrey's injury occurred in a Dec. 23 game at Dayton when he limped off the court in the second half. An MRI scan showed a bruised bone in his left foot.
He opened the season with a stress fracture in the same foot, but has played in all 13 games. He is averaging 9.5 points and 4.2 rebounds in 27.4 minutes per game.
A similar situation involving Humphrey happened last season when a stress fracture in his right foot knocked Humphrey out of action for three games.
"He just needs to sit down and rest for a while," Jones said. "Very similar to last year."
The good news last season was Marshall going 2-1 while Humphrey sat out with conference wins against UAB and Houston and a two-point loss to West Virginia.
Humphrey received an injection for inflammation in his foot. Jones said a game-time decision will be made concerning Humphrey's availability for the Tigers.
Marshall wanted to have all its players ready for the challenge of playing Memphis, the three-time defending conference champion, but that won't be the case.
Goode, a 6-foot-10 sophomore, had knee surgery Monday for an MCL tear.
"We're looking at four to six weeks (out) for him," Jones said.
Goode averages 4.6 points and 3.1 rebounds as a backup center.
