The Marshall Thundering Herd (15-15) and the Conference USA’s 13th-ranked offense welcome the Southern Miss Golden Eagles (8-20) and the third-ranked defense in the conference. The game starts at 7:00 pm ET on Saturday, Mar. 5.
The Thundering Herd are hoping for a better outcome after their 97-94 loss to Louisiana Tech on Thursday. James Kelly finished with 27 points to lead the team. The Golden Eagles, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their 75-60 loss against Western Kentucky on Thursday. Kourtlin Jackson led the team in scoring with 15 points.
Over the last five games, Jackson has been hot for the Golden Eagles. During that stretch, he has averaged 20.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 2.0 steals, and 3.4 three-pointers.
It will be a matchup of conflicting tempos, as the fast-breaking Thundering Herd (ranked fifth in the nation in possessions per game) will look to push the slow-paced Golden Eagles (340th in possessions per game).
The Thundering Herd enter the game with records of 15-15 Straight Up (SU) and 18-11 Against The Spread (ATS). The Thundering Herd have seen a decline in scoring as of late, averaging 67.7 points during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 85.1 points per game. The Marshall defense has been shutting down opposing offenses over the past 10 games, only allowing an average of 74.1 points per game, well under their season average of 83.7.
Over on the other bench, the Golden Eagles fare well ATS, sitting at 15-10. However, they are only 8-20 SU. During the last 10 games, they averaged 90.1 PPG, above their 62.9 PPG season average. The Southern Miss defense has allowed an average of 85.5 points per game during the last 10 games, higher than their season average of 69.2.
Marshall and Southern Miss will be squaring off for the first time this season. In their most recent meeting a season ago, Marshall came out on top, moving its SU record against Southern Miss to 6-4 in their most recent head-to-head meetings. The Thundering Herd also hold the advantage ATS with a record of 8-1-1. Over the last five matchups, Southern Miss held the advantage in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers twice. Marshall performed this feat once.
Predictions: SU Winner – Marsh, ATS Winner – Marsh
Notes
Marshall is one of the top-scoring teams, averaging 85.1 points per game (ranked third). Southern Miss allows 69.2 points per game (ranked 97th).
The Marshall Thundering Herd rank 85th for their offensive rating of 110.0. The Southern Miss Golden Eagles have a defensive rating of 106.8 (ranked 78th).
On average, Marshall has 77.4 possessions per game and scores 1.100 points on each possession. Southern Miss has both fewer possessions (64.6) and scores fewer points during those possessions (.974).
The Southern Miss Golden Eagles average an effective field goal percentage of 48.9% this season. The Marshall Thundering Herd have a poor record of 8-13 when opponents have an eFG% of 48.9% or greater.
On average, the Marshall Thundering Herd attempt 29.0 three point field goals per game and the Southern Miss Golden Eagles attempt 24.0. In games where they attempt at least 20 threes, Marshall is an even 15-15, while Southern Miss has a losing record of 5-16.
Marshall ranks 54th in the nation with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.29. Southern Miss is ranked lower at 274th with an A/TO of .92.
On average, Marshall makes 6.9 steals per game. Southern Miss is a subpar 3-9 when it gives up at least 6 steals.
