The Marshall Thundering Herd men’s basketball team (15-12, 8-6 Sun Belt) enters a pivotal conference matchup against Old Dominion (11-16, 7-7 Sun Belt) on Thursday night at Chartway Arena in Norfolk, Virginia. With postseason implications looming, this game could determine seeding for next month’s Sun Belt Tournament.
Recent Struggles and Key Players
Marshall has lost two consecutive games, including a 79-68 defeat to Louisiana last Saturday. Despite offensive struggles – shooting just 43.6% from the field (242nd nationally) – the Herd boast one of college basketball’s most dominant rim protectors in Obinna Anochili-Killen, who averages 13.8 points and 3.0 blocks per game (3rd nationally). Backcourt leader Dezayne Mingo contributes 11.6 points and 5.1 assists per contest, while forward Nate Martin anchors the boards with 8.5 rebounds per game.
Betting Lines and Computer Projections
Oddsmakers list Marshall as 2.5-point favorites with an over/under of 145.5 points . Predictive models project a narrow 74-71 victory for the Herd, though Old Dominion holds home-court advantage at Chartway Arena where they’ve won four conference games this season.
| Stat Category | Marshall | Old Dominion |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 75.5 | 68.3 |
| Defensive PPG | 72.4 | 71.1 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 37.1 | 34.8 |
Postseason Implications
A win would keep Marshall in contention for a top-four Sun Belt Tournament bye, while Old Dominion fights to avoid falling into the conference’s lower bracket. The Herd’s remaining schedule features a high-profile February 28 home game against Appalachian State that will air on ESPN2/ESPNU , giving the program national exposure as they push for their first NCAA Tournament bid since 2018.
Historical Context
The Thundering Herd have dominated recent matchups against Old Dominion, winning three straight since joining the Sun Belt in 2022-23. Marshall’s program legacy includes five NCAA Tournament appearances and a historic 2018 upset of Wichita State – the program’s first-ever March Madness victory .
