Whats the word on Robert Goff

It's been a quiet couple of months on the Marshall basketball recruiting scene.

But many Thundering Herd fans have been more interested in who is already in Huntington and ready to play. Better yet, who is eligible from the Herd's 2011 recruiting class has been a wide-range of speculation.

The silence can turn to enthusiasm with a short sentence. "Yes, I'm cleared."

In the end, the numbers have all worked out for head coach Tom Herrion.

HerdNation.com has learned that 6'9 power forward Robert Goff, rated the No. 3 JUCO player in the country last season by the Rivals site Jucojunction.com will be eligible for the Herd this season.

Goff originally committed to Oklahoma before deciding on Marshall.

"We are really excited that Robert has decided to be a part of our basketball program," Herrion said after Goff signed in early May. "Robert is an extremely talented young man who has played for an outstanding coach in Steve Eck (Hutchinson, Kan. Community College) the past few years. His size, athleticism and versatility will be a great addition to our team as we prepare for next year."

So just how important is the news for Herd basketball? Goff worked out in Huntington over the summer, so his new teammates got to see him first hand.

"I'm going to have to say Robert Goff," senior point guard Damier Pitts said when asked who the best newcomer on the squad was earlier this summer. "He's going to be pretty good this year."

"We have a lot of nice newcomers, but I think Robert Goff would probably be the biggest key for us right now," sophomore guard DeAndre Kane responded to a similar question. "He'll be great. He's got good talent. He'll be good for us."

Goff's short statement was followed with a brief apology to everyone who has been awaiting the news.

"I just had to know for sure," Goff said.

With the recent announcement about Eladio Espinoza leaving the program after suffering a season ending throat injury in practice last year, the picture of who would be in Herrion's 13 scholarship players cleared.

Goff's statement merely confirmed it.

Pitts, Dago Pena, Shaquille Johnson, Dennis Tinnon, Nigel Spikes, Goff (a junior), Kane, Yous Mbao, DeVince Boykins, Justin Coleman, Jamir Hanner, J. P. Kambola, and Chris Martin.

Goff will wear No. 2 in the green and white this season.