by Doug Smock, Staff writer , Charleston Gazette

Such is the case tonight at Marshall, which will play somebody different tonight, even if it is called an exhibition game. The Thundering Herd takes on West Virginia Wesleyan at 7 p.m. at Cam Henderson Center in the final tuneup before the season begins Sunday.

"It's more for us than it is who we play," said coach Donnie Jones. "We're trying to figure out our confidence, we're trying to figure out our chemistry, we're trying to figure out how to play hard. We're trying to figure out how to rotate our press, and you hope your young guys get a chance to play in those games, to get the butterflies out."

Jones will begin the process of integrating veterans such as Chris Lutz and Tyler Wilkerson with several newcomers, such as junior college transfer Antonio Haymon and long shot-blocker Hassan Whiteside, who has "grown" to 7 feet on MU's Web site roster.

They will do so against the Bobcats, who finished 10-18 last season, eighth in the West Virginia Conference. Three top scorers are back - 6-foot-2 Justin Caldwell (14.7 points per game), 6-5 forward Ryan Hoehner and 6-9 center Neven Zeravica. The Bobcats were picked eighth in the WVC preseason poll.

Jones will be trying to get a good look at all his players, but he doesn't want to lose. And that can happen in these exhibitions - last week, Syracuse lost 82-79 to a crosstown Division II team, LeMoyne.

"In playing those games, it means a lot more to those [lower-division] teams," Jones said. "Your kids disrespect them, and when they come in, they'll play well. There's something to gain, regardless."

The Herd will miss Damier Pitts and Dago Pena, who have had concussions, and 6-foot-10 Nigel Spikes, who is recovering from a knee contusion.

Coaches are still awaiting word on the eligibility of DeAndre Kane, the promising freshman from Pittsburgh. Kane continues to practice, but he will not play unless he is specifically cleared.

After tonight, Marshall opens the season Sunday at home against North Carolina A&T, a game that is part of the Global Sports Invitational. Tipoff is 2 p.m.

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Marshall was picked to finish fifth in Conference USA in Monday's inaugural Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel media poll.

The Thundering Herd received 154 points from a total of 21 members of the media representing all 12 C-USA markets.

Tulsa, which received 18 first-place votes and 249 points, edged Memphis, which had two first-place votes and 224 points, for the No. 1 spot.

Reach Doug Smock at 304-348-5130 or dougsmock@wvgazette.com

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