HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — The Marshall men’s basketball team will play at defending national champion Kentucky next season.

The Dec. 22 contest at Rupp Arena marks the first meeting between the schools since the 2003-04 season when Kentucky won 89-67 at Cincinnati.

The teams have not met at Rupp Arena since Nov. 16, 2001, when the Wildcats rolled to a 90-73 win.

Kentucky has won all 11 meetings in the series including 7-0 at home.

It marks the first time Marshall will play a defending men’s national champion since losing at North Carolina in 2009-10.

King New Assistant Coach

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — After working the past two seasons as a graduate assistant, Josh King has been named an assistant coach for Marshall’s men’s basketball team.

“I am extremely grateful for this opportunity coach (Tom) Herrion has given me,” King said. “I have learned so much these last two years working under him and his staff and look forward to doing whatever I can to help this program build on the success it has had over the past two years.”

As a graduate assistant, King assisted the coaching staff with day-to-day operations while earning a master’s degree in adult technical education.

“Josh is a bright young star in the coaching industry.” Herrion said, “Over the past two years he displayed the qualities, talents and work ethic that have convinced me he is ready for this opportunity. He has a great ability to relate to our players on and off the floor and his knowledge of our program and how we operate was important in my decision. He will work tirelessly and passionately as a recruiter. He is a great addition to our staff.”

King has previous assistant coaching experience at UMass-Lowell (2009-10) and Vassar College (2008-09). He began his collegiate playing career at East Carolina where he played two seasons before transferring to NCAA Division II Eckerd College.

The North Carolina native finished his high school career as the third all-time leading scorer in the state. King is one of the best shooters to come from the state and at the time of graduation held the North Carolina record for career three-pointers, single season three-pointers and most three-pointers made in a game.