Expect a low-scoring game when the Marshall Thundering Herd (7-9) and North Texas Mean Green (7-9) collide at The Super Pit. Action begins at 8:00 pm ET on Thursday, Jan. 14.
The Mean Green enter this game hoping for similar success after topping Rice 85-74 in their last matchup. Jeremy Combs played a pivotal role, recording his fifth double-double of the season with 22 points and 12 rebounds. The Thundering Herd, meanwhile, are coming off a 99-81 win against FIU in their last game. James Kelly claimed his eighth double-double of the season with 33 points and 15 rebounds.
Over the last five games, Deckie Johnson has taken his game to another level for the Mean Green, averaging 17.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.0 steal, and 2.6 three-pointers. Kelly has upped his play for the Thundering Herd. In the same five-game span, he is averaging 21.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 2.0 steals, 0.8 blocks, and 0.6 three-pointers.
Marshall takes on North Texas as a four-point favorite. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is sitting at 167 points. The Mean Green have gone 7-9 Straight Up (SU) and 3-7-1 Against The Spread (ATS). The Mean Green are one of the best in Division I in terms of field-goal percentage, shooting an impressive .479 from the field.
In the other locker room, the Thundering Herd have records of 9-6 ATS and 7-9 SU. Marshall performed well ATS during its last 10 games, earning an 8-1 record. The Thundering Herd are a terror in the passing lanes, averaging an impressive 8.4 steals per game. One advantage for the Thundering Herd could be North Texas’s high fouls per game average of 23.0.
The conference foes meet for what will be their first head-to-head battle of the season. Marshall won the last game in the matchup, bringing the head-to-head record to an even 1-1 SU. They are also even ATS at 1-1.
Predictions: SU Winner – Marsh, ATS Winner – NorTx, O/U – Over
Notes
North Texas is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games.
North Texas is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home.
The undefeated Marshall is a perfect 3-0 SU against its conference, while North Texas is holding steady at 2-1 SU.
The Marshall Thundering Herd average 76.6 possessions per game and 1.051 points per possession. The North Texas Mean Green earn fewer possessions with 73.8, but they score more points with 1.053.
The North Texas Mean Green average an effective field goal percentage of 53.2% this season. The Marshall Thundering Herd have a poor record of 3-5 when opponents have an eFG% of 53.2% or greater.
North Texas attempts an average of 17.0 three pointers per game and Marshall attempts 29.0. In games where they have 20 or more three point attempts, the North Texas Mean Green are even at 2-2 while the Marshall Thundering Herd have a 7-9 record.
Marshall ranks 98th in the nation with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.20. North Texas is ranked lower at 310th with an A/TO of .82.
North Texas has forced an average turnover percentage of 17.8% this season. Marshall has a subpar 2-5 record when its TO% is 17.8% or higher.
