NCAAbbs

Quote:C-USA's top scorer brings a tall order
By Jacob Messer
Daily Mail sports writer

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- With Marshall set to face Texas-El Paso this weekend, DJ must worry about DJ.

The former is Donnie Jones, the Thundering Herd's second-year coach. The latter is Stefon Jackson, the Miners' fourth-year superstar.

Jones' abbreviation-based nickname is obvious. It comes from his first and last names. Jackson's, on the other hand, stems from his shooting ability ... draining jumpers.

Jackson does that better - or at least more frequently - than any other player in Conference USA, a 14-year-old, Dallas-based league.

Jones will need a plan and a defender who can keep Jackson from doing that too often Saturday, when the Thundering Herd (11-13, 3-6) visits the Don Haskins Center to face the Miners (14-9, 5-4) at 9:05 p.m.

The obvious choice to guard Jackson, who ranks second in the league and 10th in the nation in scoring at 22.6 points per game, is Shaquille Johnson.

The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Johnson is only 2 inches shorter than the 6-5, 185-pound Jackson, but the freshman can make up for his height disadvantage with his 44-inch vertical jump. That matchup would pit an intense and athletic rookie versus a wily and wiry veteran.

Jackson owns the league and school record for career points with 2,068...