Marshall Thundering Herd vs Texas State Bobcats Matchup

Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our Texas State vs Marshall NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in Huntington.

Texas State vs Marshall Prediction

Don't miss out on the NCAA showdown between the Bobcats and Thundering Herd. The game is starting at 7:00 ET on ESPN+, and it's hosted by the Thundering Herd at Cam Henderson Center in Huntington, WV. Get ready to place your bets! Texas State come into this Sun Belt conference matchup as the -1.5 favorite. The over/under line currently sits at 144.5 points.

Texas State vs. Marshall Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: Texas State Bobcats at Marshall Thundering Herd
Where: Huntington at Cam Henderson Center
Date: Thursday, January 2nd
Betting Odds TXST -1.5, TXST -116 | MARSH -105 O/U 144.5

Bobcats Preview: Taking a Look at the Bobcats Chances on the Road

Texas State fell to 6-5 on the season after an 80-72 home loss to UT Arlington on Sunday. The Bobcats, who were favored by 6.5 points, not only lost but also failed to cover the spread. The game’s total points reached 152, surpassing the over/under line of 147.5.

Texas State led 39-32 at halftime but struggled defensively in the second half, allowing 48 points while scoring just 33. Their inability to maintain their defensive intensity cost them the game.

Bobcats Offense Breakdown

Texas State's offense put up 72 points in their last game, shooting just 38.5% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 42.3%. They struggled from beyond the arc, hitting only 4 of 17 attempts for 23.5%, but made up for it at the free-throw line, connecting on 28 of 35 attempts for 80%.

Diante Smith led the way with 24 points, shooting 81.8% overall and 66.7% from three. Tyrel Morgan added 22 points and 8 rebounds, while Lance Ware contributed 19 points and 12 rebounds, hitting 80% of his shots.

Bobcats Team Defense

Even though Texas State held their opponent to just 38% shooting from the field, they still gave up 80 points. The Bobcats allowed 16 two-point baskets on 35 attempts, a 45% shooting rate.

From beyond the arc, Texas State's defense limited their opponent to 4 made threes on 17 attempts, a 23% shooting performance. However, they sent the other team to the free-throw line 35 times, where they converted 28 free throws, an 80% rate. Texas State also gave up 10 offensive rebounds.

Thundering Herd Preview: Can Marshall Pull Out the Win as Home Underdogs?

Marshall Thundering Herd Recent Game/Games

Marshall fell to 5-7 on the season after a 73-59 road loss to Elon on Saturday. Entering the game as +5 underdogs, the Thundering Herd not only lost but also failed to cover the spread.

Trailing 37-28 at halftime, Marshall couldn’t close the gap in the 2nd half, scoring 31 points while allowing 36. The game’s total points of 132 fell short of the 144.5 O/U line.

Thundering Herd Offense Breakdown

Marshall struggled offensively in their last game, scoring just 59 points on 30.9% shooting from the field, with an effective field goal percentage of 35.3%. They hit only 20% of their three-point attempts, going 6-for-30 from deep, while connecting on 39.5% of their two-point shots. The Thundering Herd did manage to grab 18 offensive rebounds and dished out 14 assists.

Nick Dorn led the way with 29 points, hitting 6-of-10 from three-point range and shooting 60% overall. Mikal Dawson added 24 points, shooting 55.6% from beyond the arc and overall. Sam Sherry contributed 17 points and 13 rebounds, making 66.7% of his threes and 55.6% from the field. TJ Simpkins struggled, shooting 26.3% overall and missing all four of his three-point attempts.

Thundering Herd Team Defense

Marshall's defense gave up 73 points, with the opposing team shooting 40% from the field on 23 of 57 attempts. Inside the arc, they allowed 15 baskets on 33 tries, a 45% shooting rate.

From three-point range, the opposition hit 8 of 24 shots, good for 33%. At the free-throw line, they connected on 19 of 25 attempts, shooting 76%. Marshall also gave up 12 offensive rebounds.

Bobcats vs Thundering Herd Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

Across their last three road contests, Texas State has been good against the spread posting a mark of 2-0-1. Their overall mark in these games was 2-1, while averaging 78 points per game.
Across their ten previous home games, Marshall has an ATS mark of 1-8-1. Their straight up record in these matchups was 1-9 while averaging 70 points per game.
In their last ten games as the betting underdog, the Thundering Herd have a straight up record of 1-9 and an ATS mark of 1-8-1.
Texas State has done well both straight up and vs the spread when favored to win the game, going 2-1 SU and 2-1 ATS in their last three games.