Herd looks to get back to winning ways against Tulane following four straight losses

In the midst of its longest losing streak of the season, the Marshall men's basketball team returns to the Cam Henderson Center against Tulane aiming to snap the four game skid.

Thursday night the 13-8 (4-3 C-USA) Thundering Herd will play host to the Green Wave who have a record of 14-7 (2-5 C-USA), but are much better than what their record indicates.

Although losing five of its last seven games, Tulane started the season 13-1 and could break out of its recent skid at a moments notice.

"We've said it all along, we have respect for anybody on our schedule," said Marshall head coach Tom Herrion. "We can beat anybody and we can clearly lose to anybody, and we've shown that in both instances."

For Marshall, three of the four losses have come away from home and, Herrion said he is looking for the home crowd to be the sixth man to carry the team over the hump.

"We rely on our fans as much as any home court, we need them to help us, but also make it tough place for our opponents," Herrion said.

After defeating the Herd last week, UAB head coach Mike Davis said he was thankful for the fans not showing up as much as usual. Sophomore guard DeAndre Kane said the team needs the crowd support, but can't solely depend on them to win games.

"Fans are going to be fans," Kane said. "When things are bad they aren't going to show, but when things are going good they pack the house. They can be the greatest fans in the country when they come, but if they don't we have to find a way to win without them."

The theme of the losing streak for Marshall has been getting into foul trouble early, especially the big men. Especially junior forward Dennis Tinnon, who jokingly admitted he's never been in foul trouble in so many consecutive games as he has been lately.

"It's really frustrating because I can't help my teammates out because I was in foul trouble," Tinnon said. "They're (Tulane) going to send their big men at me trying to get me in foul trouble again, but I just have to change my game plan a little."

Tulane comes into the contest led by a true freshman guard in Ricky Tarrant, who is scoring 14 points per game and leads the inside out offense of the Green Wave.

"He's (Tarrant) probably the unanimous rookie of the year," Herrion said. "He's really really good. They have excellent balance, so we're obviously going to be concerned with our match ups."

For the second consecutive year, DeAndre Kane is leading the Herd in scoring, scoring over 16 points per game and is second on the team with 5.6 rebounds per game. Although he is only a sophomore, Kane as started to emerge as the leader for this team.

"I think he's grown a lot. He still has places to grow, as well all do, but he's shown in his play and in his personality that he's really matured," said Herrion.

The two sides will be meeting for the thirteenth time when they tip up at 7 p.m. inside the Cam Henderson Center on Wednesday.

Jarrod Clay can be contacted at clay105@marshall.edu.