Nate Martin pulls down a rebound as Old Dominion and Texas State face off in the second round of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament at Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, March 2, in Pensacola, Florida.
Nate Martin works through a skills challenge during Marshall AthleticsÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ 2nd Annual ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œHoops in HuntingtonÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ event on Sept. 28.
Sholten Singer | The Herald-Dispatch
Nate Martin pulls down a rebound as Old Dominion and Texas State face off in the second round of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament at Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, March 2, in Pensacola, Florida.
HUNTINGTON ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” When Texas State transfer Nate Martin picked Marshall, he knew what it would mean for him, but it caught the coaches by surprise.
Martin faced the Thundering Herd twice last year with the Bobcats, who took a loss on their home floor in the regular season before knocking Marshall out of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament in the quarterfinal round.
Texas State slowed the Herd down in order to win that game last March, but in October, Martin is helping them speed back up again.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œHeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ll outrun most centers,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Marshall coach Dan DÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™Antoni said of Martin. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œHe makes us quicker.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
The 6-foot-8 junior was excited about picking up the pace, coming from an offensive system that was all about taking the air out of the ball and scoring late in the shot clock to a team that, often times, doesnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t need a counter on its possessions at all.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s been a big adjustment, but the coaches and playersÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ confidence in me has helped me blossom,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Martin said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œ(IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve been) able to show what IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve thought IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve had the past three years and kind of utilize my full game.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
In the two matchups against Marshall, Martin averaged 13 points and 4.5 rebounds, shooting 10 of 14 from the field and 6 of 7 from the free throw line. But it wasnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t necessarily his production DÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™Antoni was after.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI was surprised by his athleticism. I didnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t know he was an above-the-rim kind of guy,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ the HerdÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s 10th-year head coach said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThe reason I wanted him was that he was a competitor and we were losing our two guys, Andy (Taylor) and Taevion (Kinsey), who were the guys that turned their lights on and came after you to try and win a ball game.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Martin won back-to-back Sun Belt regular season championships with Texas State in 2020-21 and 2021-22. After a drop in production, the Bobcats fell to 11th in the league last season.
ThatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s what makes this season in Huntington even more exciting for Martin ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” a completely fresh start on a team that needed his help.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œPushing the ball, creating some offense and still sticking with my physicality and defense is bringing it all together for me here,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Martin said.
DÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™Antoni is pleased with the progress heÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s seen in Martin through the first two weeks of practice, and over the course of the next month before the first exhibition game on Oct. 29, he expects him to see even more from the newcomer.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œHe needs this system. I think the system he played in was more of, compact-floor, no quick ball movement, but he is a quick player,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ DÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™Antoni said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œHe can pass out of it, heÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s under control, he took it the length of the floor today (in practice), pulled up and hit a jump shot. This system fits him.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Luke Creasy is a reporter for The Herald-Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @LukeCreasy or reach him by phone at 304-526-2800.
