Herd prepares to face old MAC foe

CUSA-fans.com has a new staff of team correspondents this season to help bring you, the fan, more detailed Conference USA sports coverage. Today, our new Marshall Correspondent Paul Wood previews the basketball game between Marshall and Bowling Green.

Two years removed from the MAC, Marshall prepares to host an old foe in current MAC member Bowling Green (6-3). Marshall enters the game having won just three of its first nine games. The Falcons have won five of their last six games. The game is scheduled for a 7:00 PM tip-off, Friday, December 22, at the Cam Henderson Center in Huntington, WV.

The Herd is coming off of a lopsided loss at Princeton (61-45) and they are looking to right the ship against the Falcons. Bowling Green's most recent victory was at home over Northern Colorado (63-53). The two teams have one common opponent in Wright State from the Horizon League. Marshall defeated Wright State at home (79-72), while Bowling Green edged the Raiders on the road (59-56).

In order for the Herd to defeat Bowling Green, they must slow down the Falcons’ leading scorer, Martin Samarco (22 ppg). The Herd will have to lean on Markel Humphrey's scoring ability (13 ppg) and the defensive presence of Jean Francois Bro-Grebe (2.5 blocks per game).

Marshall will have an advantage if it can control the tempo of the game and force Bowling Green to run the floor.

Inconsistent effort and the inability to finish off opponents have plagued this Thundering Herd team. Focus and intensity must be maintained until the buzzer sounds.

Marshall's head coach Ron Jirsa looks to give Herd fans an early Christmas present with a much-needed victory.