The Marshall Thundering Herd will visit the Georgia Southern Eagles this Saturday, January 27th, at 3 p.m. EST, for an exciting matchup in the Sun Belt Conference. This game follows Marshall’s recent 92-79 victory over Georgia State, where star player Jalen Speer scored an impressive 25 points. The Thundering Herd are looking to build on this momentum as they aim to improve their position in the conference standings.
Team Records and Key Stats
Marshall enters the game with a record of 12-9 overall and 5-3 in conference play, placing them fourth in the Sun Belt standings. Meanwhile, Georgia Southern has an 11-9 record, with a 4-4 mark in the conference, sitting in sixth place. Despite being slightly behind Marshall in the standings, Georgia Southern has proven to be a tough opponent at home, boasting a 7-1 record at their home court in Statesboro, Georgia.
What to Watch for in the Game
The key to this matchup lies in the contrasting playing styles of both teams. Georgia Southern excels at offensive rebounding, ranking fifth in the Sun Belt with 10.6 offensive rebounds per game. Tyson Brown leads the charge with an average of 2.2 offensive boards per game. On the other hand, Marshall relies on its strength inside the paint, ranking eighth in the conference with 30.6 points per game in the paint, led by Nate Martin, who averages 7.3 points per game.
In addition to these strengths, the two teams are quite similar in their three-point shooting. Georgia Southern leads the Sun Belt with an average of 8.9 made three-pointers per game, while Marshall is right behind with 7.9. This battle from beyond the arc could play a significant role in determining the outcome of the game.
Top Performers to Watch
Jalen Speer will be a key player for Marshall following his standout performance against Georgia State. He has been a consistent scorer for the Thundering Herd, averaging 3.3 made three-pointers per game in his last ten outings. In addition, Nate Martin’s presence in the paint will be important for Marshall, as he averages 9.8 points and 8.0 rebounds per game.
For Georgia Southern, Bradley Douglas has been a standout performer, leading the team with 13.9 points per game, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. Another player to watch is Nakavieon White, who has been averaging 10.3 points over the past ten games. Both players will be key for the Eagles as they look to defend their home court.
Recent Form and Key Trends
Both teams have had mixed results in their last ten games. Marshall has a 6-4 record in its last ten games, averaging 74.6 points per game while allowing 69.0 points to opponents. In contrast, Georgia Southern is 5-5 in its last ten games, averaging 73.4 points per game and allowing 77.0 points per game. The Eagles have struggled defensively, which could give Marshall the upper hand if they can take advantage of Georgia Southern’s defensive weaknesses.
The Importance of the Game
This matchup is crucial for both teams as they battle for positioning in the Sun Belt standings. A win for Marshall would improve their chances of securing a top spot in the conference, while a victory for Georgia Southern would help them climb up the standings. With both teams looking to improve, fans can expect an intense and high-energy game on Saturday.
Conclusion
The upcoming Marshall vs. Georgia Southern game promises to be an exciting contest with plenty of storylines to follow. Whether it’s Jalen Speer’s scoring ability, Georgia Southern’s strong home record, or the battle of the big men in the paint, this game will be one to watch. Fans of both teams will be hoping their squads can come out on top as they look to secure a key conference win.
(Source : foxsports.com)
