HUNTINGTON, W. Va. — Contrary to what would seem to be conventional wisdom, based on three road losses in three states in a five-day span — two of them blowouts — Lamar basketball coach Steve Roccaforte insists his team is not worn down or lacking in confidence as it prepares to face Marshall tonight.

“I understand why people might think that, but it’s not the case,” Roccaforte said Tuesday evening, while watching his team’s shootaround in Marshall’s Cam Henderson Center. “I really don’t sense a confidence problem and I don’t think we’re tired.

“Matter of fact, I feel pretty good about the game against Marshall. I think we are going to win it. We just need to start making some shots and executing better in the second half. We’ve been in good position at halftime of each game on the trip.”

Indeed they have. In what became a 74-66 loss at Middle Tennessee, they were down 37-31 at the break. On the way to a 77-54 thumping at Texas Tech the halftime deficit was 36-26, but the Cardinals trailed by only five in the final seconds of the period. Ohio held a 24-23 edge at intermission Monday before running away 71-46.

In the last two setbacks, Lamar shot 32.1 percent (9-of-28) and 20 percent (6-of-30), respectively, in the second half.

The Cardinals, after opening 2-0 have dropped to 2-3. Marshall is 2-1, with home victories over Lamar’s Saturday night opponent North Carolina A&T; (79-63) and Middle Tennessee (63-60). The Thundering Herd dropped a 70-62 decision at Old Dominion Saturday night.

“We’ve had good meetings and film review with out players,” Roccaforte said. “The problems we are having are correctable. As I’ve said from the start, we are going to have to continue to work on our rotation and our style of play. The more these guys play together and get used to each other, the better they will get.”

One area where LU would like to get immediate help is with the veteran inside trio of Justin Nabors, Lawrence Nwevo and Coy Custer. They combined to shoot 5--for-23 and score 11 points against Ohio.

“We talked about that today,” Roccaforte said.

Marshall is a veteran team coming off a 15-17 season and a 7-9 mark in Conference USA play. Despite starting three seniors and one junior, the Thundering Herd is led in scoring by 6-3 sophomore Shaquille Johnson (12.3). Its best player is 6-8, 240 senior Tyler Wilkerson who averages 10.3 points and 10.3 boards. — BOB WEST



• When: Wednesday, 6 p.m.

• Where: Cam Henderson Center, Huntington, W. Va. (9,043)

• Records: LU 2-3, MU 2-1

• Series: LU leads 1-0

• Last meeting: LU 75-67 on Jan. 9, 1985 in Huntington

• Radio: KVLI (560-AM)

• Probable starters: LU: Anthony Miles 6-1, Soph. (12.5 ppg, 4.5 apg); Kendrick Harris 6-1, Jr. (13.8 ppg, 4.5 apg); Lawrence Nwevo 6-8, Dr. (6.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg); Justin Nabors 6-6, Sr. (11.8 ppg, 8.0 rpg); Charlie Harper 6-6, Soph. (10.5 ppg, 9.5 rpg). MU: Tirrell Baines 6-6, Jr. (7.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg); Tyle Wilkerson 6-8, Sr. (10.3 pp, 10.3 rpg); Darryl Merthie 6-0, Sr. (6.0 ppg, 4.7 apg); Chris Lutz 6-3, Sr. (4.7 ppg, 2.0 rpg); Shaqulle Johnson 6-3, Soph. (12.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg.)

• LU fast fact: This is the first of three Cardinal games against Conference USA opponents. They are hosting Tulane and Rice in December.

• MU fast fact: The Thundering Herd has home wins over North Carolina A&T; 79-63) and Middle Tennessee (63-60). Their only loss was at Old Dominion (70-62) last Saturday.