Marshall basketball preview: Marshall travels to GW

The Thundering Herd attempts to capture a third straight quality non-conference win

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 George Washington (GW).

Marshall (5-8) looks to extend its winning streak to three games when they face off against George Washington. The game is set for a 6:00 p.m. tip-off at the Charles E. Smith Center in our nation’s capital.

The Colonials head into the game with a 9-3 record and a 20-game home-winning streak. GW is coming off of a 70-59 victory over Atlantic 10 conference foe Fordham. GW is lead by junior guard Maureece Rice (15.3 ppg).

The Herd is coming off of home wins over Virginia Tech and Ohio University. Senior guard Tre Whitted provided the Herd with a spark off of the bench in the second half against Ohio. Whitted scored a season-high 19 points, including five three pointers, all in the second half.

Sophomore forward Markel Humphrey is the Herd’s most consistent player and leads the team in both points (13.2) and rebounds (6.3). Robbie Jackson, Marshall’s freshman center, continues to see more action as the season progresses. His steadily improving play is a good sign for Herd fans.

Marshall will need a consist effort against a very good George Washington team in order to pull off the upset on the road. The Herd will also need to improve their woeful foul shooting. Marshall is shooting only 66 percent from the charity stripe. Against Ohio, the Herd shot just 11-of-26 from the line.

Marshall hopes to continue its improved play as it heads into conference play, January 10, at UTEP.