MARCUS
DILLIGARDGENERAL: Solid, experienced
performer who ranks as Furman's most veteran player and one of the Southern
Conference's top perimeter defenders...sports two years of starting experience
at point guard and should again see action at the point this year...may be afforded
the opportunity to display his versatility as a possible contributor at the
wing guard and small forward slots, which he played in high school...possesses
deceptively long reach and the ability to generate a quality shot off dribble
penetration or in post-up situations..earned the title of strongest player in
Furman's program in the spring with a combined lift of 1,064 pounds in three
exercises: bench press (300), power clean (264), and squat (500)...was the first
player signed by Furman head coach Larry Davis when he inked with the Paladins
in April of 1997.
AS A SOPHOMORE (1998-99): Fashioned noteworthy improvement in his second
season as starting point guard, upping his scoring average to 8.4 ppg and rebounding
average to 3.4 rpg...started in all 28 games and shot 42.5% from the field while
collecting 57 assists...led Furman with 27 steals...scored a career high 15
points against the College of Charleston (98-74 loss) in Southern Conference
Tourney action...tallied 14 points in an 83-78 overtime win over Duquesne and
in a 92-70 loss to Davidson...outing against Duquesne included a 10x13 free
throw performance.
AS A FRESHMAN (1997-98): Named to the Southern Conference All-Freshman
Team...arguably may have been handed the toughest assignment of any player when
he was named the Paladins' starting point guard prior to the beginning of the
season...assignment forced him to make the transition from prep combination
guard/small forward to collegiate point guard...registered consecutive season
high 13-point performances in a 61-54 loss to Georgia Southern in Statesboro
and a 63-54 loss to Davidson...registered a season high six assists against
Western Carolina (95-78 loss)...accounted for all nine points at the free throw
line and had three steals in a 72-66 overtime win over Georgia Southern in Greenville.
HIGH SCHOOL: 1997 graduate of Highland High School...basketball coach
was Tom Ward...averaged 21.3 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game
as a senior in helping Highland to an 18-11 record, district and quarterfinal
championships, and quarterfinal finish in the Missouri AA State Tournament...earned
conference player-of-the-year, as well as all-area, all-district, and all-state
accolades...tallied a team high 26 points and collected 14 rebounds en route
to earning team MVP honors in the 15th Annual Quincy (Ill.) Herald-Whig/McDonald's
All-Star Classic...was also named MVP following a 23-point performance in a
102-98 loss in the 15th Annual Northeast Missouri Officials Association All-Star
Game...as a junior, earned all-conference, all-area, all-district, and all-state
laurels after leading Highland to a 19-6 record and conference title.
PERSONAL: Full name is Marcus Leon Dilligard...son of Michael and Donna
Dilligard...born August 19, 1979, in Kirkdsville, Missouri.