Player Spotlight: Iowa G Roy Devyn Marble

Story posted February 14, 2014 in CommRadio, Sports by Jeff Jezewski

The Iowa Hawkeyes are clicking at the right time, defeating Michigan 85-67, on Saturday, in what was arguably the team’s best performance of the season.

When the Hawkeyes are at their best, one of the main reasons is the play of senior guard, Roy Devyn Marble. Heading into the Bryce Jordan Center this Saturday, Marble will look to continue his stellar play and keep Iowa rolling.

The big guard will look to use his size and athleticism to take over the game against a struggling Penn State team. Marble is the key for the Hawkeyes, as they rarely lose when he’s at his best.

Marble, a member of the short list to win Big Ten Player of the Year, has ramped up his performance throughout conference play.  Since Big Ten play started, the senior has averaged more points and rebounds, while shooting a better percentage from the field, three-point line and foul line.

The Southfield, Michigan, native teamed with his father to become the first father/son duo in Big Ten history to score 1,000 points or more at the same school. If he continues his solid play, Marble will follow his father’s footsteps and play in the NBA.

Marble is a player that has improved every year for Iowa, as his scoring numbers have increased every season. As a freshman, Marble averaged less than six points per game, but has improved all the way to 16.5 points per game, so far this season.

Coming out of Lathrup High School, Marble was rated as a three-star recruit by ESPN. He was a standout for Lathrup, scoring 24.5 points per game and pulling down eight rebounds per game. Marble was named as the team’s most valuable player twice during his high school career.

Marble, recruited by Dayton, Detroit, Michigan and Providence, has been extremely successful since choosing the Hawkeyes. The Hawkeyes leading scorer has been held to single digit points just three times this season. The outstanding scorer has notched 20 points or more, an impressive seven times this season. His most impressive outburst came against Xavier, in a game where Marble scored 30 points, just one off his career-high.

Chosen by Fran McCaffery as co-captain, Marble is a leader on and off the court for the Hawkeyes. Aside from leading the team on the court, he is responsible for keeping the team intact.

Marble and the Hawkeyes will head into the matchup with Penn State oozing with confidence. The senior leader will come into the game on an 11-game streak of double digit points, including 26 in the impressive win over the Wolverines. Iowa matches up well with the Nittany Lions on paper and will expect a big game from Marble.

If Penn State can slow down Marble, they have a chance, but that has proved to be a very difficult task for just about every team this season.

The Hawkeyes and the Nittany Lions will tip off at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 15th. Tune into ComRadio for live coverage of the contest.

Jeff Jezewski is a sophomore majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jvj5228@psu.edu.

Photo Courtesy: (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)