HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — The Marshall Thundering Herd are gearing up for an exciting showdown against the unbeaten and 23rd-ranked Miami Ohio RedHawks on Saturday as part of the Mid-American Conference/Sun Belt Challenge. The matchup is set to tip off at 4 p.m. at the Cam Henderson Center and will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Marshall enters the contest with a record of 15-8 overall and 7-4 in conference play, having recently secured a hard-fought 81-77 victory against Southern Miss. Wyatt Fricks shone bright in that game, leading the team with 25 points, supported by strong performances from three other players who scored in double figures.
On the other hand, Miami Ohio stands as one of only two unbeaten teams left in Division I basketball, holding a perfect record of 23-0 and 11-0 in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). The RedHawks narrowly edged out Buffalo with a 73-71 win in their last outing.
Marshall head coach Cornelius Jackson is calling for an electric atmosphere as the Herd seeks to gain an edge against the RedHawks. He expressed his desire for a sellout crowd, encouraging fans to support the team as they strive to maintain momentum in their season. “Be loud,” Jackson urged. “After that game, sell out the next one. Let’s not just do it when Miami comes to town. We’re the show. Let’s do it for us. We’re looking forward to it and it’s a huge opportunity.”
Miami’s head coach, Travis Steele, is in his fourth season and has a strong track record with a 75-46 record. The RedHawks have made headlines this season with their impressive offensive statistics, averaging nearly 93 points per game, boasting a staggering shooting percentage of 53.6%, and hitting almost 40% from beyond the arc.
Leading the RedHawks in scoring is sophomore wing Brant Byers, who averages 15.2 points per game, with several teammates contributing significantly to the scoring effort. Notable amongst them is senior guard Peter Suder, who adds 14.1 points per game, along with junior guard Evan Ipsaro and others, making Miami’s offense a formidable challenge for opponents.
For Marshall, Fricks leads the way with 14.6 points per game, closely followed by Jalen Speer and Noah Otshudi. Speer also leads the Sun Belt and ranks 29th nationally in assists with an impressive average of 5.8.
A historic rivalry is set to rekindle on Saturday as Marshall seeks to improve their all-time series record against Miami, which currently stands at 48-29 in favor of the RedHawks. This matchup is particularly noteworthy as it marks Marshall’s first home game against a ranked opponent since January 2015, when they faced then-No. 25 Old Dominion. The last victory for the Herd over a Top 25 team occurred in 2018 when they upset Wichita State in the NCAA Tournament.
The Thundering Herd, fueled by a passionate home crowd and a chance to make a statement, are prepared to rise to the occasion against a highly competitive Miami team. With both teams possessing potent offensive weapons, fans can expect an exhilarating game filled with intensity and skill.