The Marshall Thundering Herd likes to play things fast and furious, and that was part of a formula that brought them great success last season. So the question is whether they can take things to yet another level this year. They are certainly expected to be part of the Conference USA race before all is said and done. The Ohio Bobcats would like to be able to return once again to the Big Dance, and they are getting contributions from people who weren't around for the most part last season, but they are also somewhat compromised in terms of outside shooting. These squads will clash on Saturday afternoon (3:30 PM ET) at the Convocation Center in Athens, Ohio. It will be carried by ESPN Plus, and BetAnySports customers will have the opportunity to place wagers in real-time as they take a look at what Live Betting Ultra has to offer.

The Herd plays a lot like you would expect out of a D'Antoni. Of course, we're talking about Dan D'Antoni, brother of Mike (head coach of the Houston Rockets), who emphasizes a swift tempo. Marshall's possessions average just 13.1 seconds, and that makes them the fourth "fastest" team in the nation. They put a lot of pressure on the opposition, forcing turnovers 25.1% of the time (14th nationwide). Last year they finished 25-11 in Conference USA and then pulled an upset over fourth-seeded Wichita State in the NCAA Tournament, before running into a team in West Virginia that did the same kind of thing they do, except only better. The result was a turnover-filled 94-71 loss that sent them home. Even so, that was the first Big Dance win for the program after five defeats. This season they are 5-1, with the only loss a blowout to Maryland (104-67). They have shot 179 triples in six games thus far. Jon Elmore, the 6-3 guard, is back to lead the way. This season he averages 20.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists. But overall, he's just a 38% shooter from the field. His backcourt running mate is CJ Burks, who is a 52.5% shooter. Jansson Williams averages 10.5 points in 23.7 minutes per contest, and the 6-9 forward is 24th in the nation in Offensive Rating.

Here are the college basketball betting numbers on this game, as they have been posted at BetAnySports:

Marshall Thundering Herd -3.5
Ohio Bobcats +3.5

Over 160.5 points -110
Under 160.5 points -110

Saul Phillips' Ohio team was 14-17 last season, and they are off to a 4-2 start, with consecutive victories over Austin Peay and Iona. Leading the way is 6-8 sophomore Jason Carter, who was limited to playing only three games last season because of a foot injury but is making his presence felt with averages of 18.7 points and 7.3 rebounds. Another player who had to sit out time last year because of injury is redshirt freshman Ben Vander Plas, who has made big contributions as a sixth man and occasional starter, tallying 11.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per contest. Dave Taylor adds a lot of muscle down low; the 6-9, 260-pound center is averaging 8.5 rebounds per game, and he is a big reason why Ohio has allowed its opponents an offensive rebounding percentage of just 20.1%, which is seventh best in the country. Tevyion Kirk, who averaged 15.3 points as a freshman, has been picking up where he left off as a sophomore (16.2 ppg). Kirk led the team in scoring as a freshman and made the All-MAC frosh team. It remains to be seen when or if Jordan Dartis can play. He has not seen the floor this season, after having surgery on both hips. Dartis averaged 13.1 points last season, and perhaps more importantly, hit 42.4% from three-point range, for a team that really lacks that kind of artillery this season. Under Phillips, Ohio has scored 90 points or more six different times, including twice this season. So in a sense, they play into Marshall's hands. But Ohio is not a threat to hit from the outside. The Bobcats have made just 22.6% of their three-point shots, which places them 350th out of 353 Division I teams. Interestingly enough, this game matches two rather poor free throw shooting teams. Ohio is at 67.7% (216th) while Marshall has hit 63.2% (300th).

Marshall plays this kind of game better, and with more depth. They get the nod.

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