— By Bill Cornwell
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Marshall opens Conference USA Bonus Play Saturday night as the Old Dominion Monarchs come to the Cam Henderson Center for a 7 p.m. matchup.
The Thundering Herd (13-14, 7-7 C-USA) and ODU (11-16, 7-7) tied for sixth with UTSA in the league standings after 14 games, putting them in a pod with FAU and UAB to make up teams six through 10 in the confernece.
The five teams play each other to decide who will be seeded where six through 10 in the upcoming Conference USA Tournament in Frisco, Texas.
Marshall and ODU have already played once this season. The game on Jan. 18 in Huntington was won by the Herd, 68-67. The Monarchs’ Malik Curry scored 20 in that contest, while Marshall was led by Taevion Kinsey’s 18 points. ODU shot only 33 percent from the field in the loss, while Marshall shot 40 percent and forced 15 Monarchs’ turnovers while only committing eight.
Old Dominion leads the all-time series with Marshall 11-10, but the Herd has some momentum after a 71-61 win at UTEP last Saturday. The Monarchs enter off a 64-47 loss at North Texas..
ODU is coached by former Virginia Cavaliers great Jeff Jones, who is in his seventh season in Norfolk, Va. He has a 508-370 career record, including 151-83 at Old Dominion.
The Monarchs are led in scoring by Curry and fellow junior guard Xavier Green, who average slightly more than 12 points per game. Sophomore guard and Clemson transfer A.J. Oliver II and fellow sophomore guard Jason Wade also average double figure scoring. Senior forward Aaron Carver is the team’s top rebounder at 10.1 per game.
On the road, ODU allows 65.7 points per game, while scoring only 60.9 ppg.
Marshall’s scoring numbers have been increasing, especially at home, in recent games. At home, MU scores 74.5 points per game while giving up 71.8.
Marshall has an uncharacteristic 8-6 home record this season, while the Monarchs have struggled on the road with a 3-9 mark. ODU’s lone conference road wins are at Southern Miss and Rice.
Kinsey still leads Marshall in scoring with 16 ppg, while Jarrod West averages 14.4 points per contest. Iran Bennett is the Herd’s top rebounder at 5.5 per game, followed closely by Kinsey at 5.1 rpg.
After Saturday’s game, Marshall heads back on the road to play at UAB on Thursday.