— By Bill Cornwell
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — While much of the attention is geared toward college football in August, the Sun Belt Conference released the conference schedules basketball teams Thursday.
For the Marshall men, the league slate looks familiar, with a number of home games early and a four-game road trip later in the schedule.
The Thundering Herd conference opener comes at Troy on December 20. The Trojans were part of a four-way tie for the Sun Belt regular season title, but return only one starter in junior forward Thomas Dowd.
Marshall will spend New Year’s Eve at the Cam Henderson Center and face Georgia State, followed by another league home game January 3 against Appalachian State.
The remainder of the Herd Sun Belt home slate includes a four-game home stand over 10 days starting January 14 against Coastal Carolina. There is also a January 17 matchup with James Madison, January 22 contest against Louisiana-Monroe and a matchup with South Alabama on January 24.
There are only three home games in February — February 4th against Southern Miss, 20 days later against Old Dominion and February 27 versus Georgia Southern.
Marshall’s earlier road slate in the Sun Belt outside of the opener at Troy includes a January 7 game at James Madison, January 10 contest at Georgia State, January 28 matchup at Texas State and January 31 meeting at Arkansas State. A four-game road swing opens February 11 at Old Dominion followed by games at Georgia Southern on February 14, Appalachian State on February 19 and Coastal Carolina on February 21.
The Thundering Herd surpassed many expectations last season, finishing 20-13 overall and 12-6 in the Sun Belt in head coach Cornelius Jackson’s first year with that title.
Marshall’s season opener is November 3 at Massachusetts as the Herd and Minutemen meet in the Mid-American Conference/Sun Belt Conference Challenge. Marshall will host a game in the Challenge on February 7 against a yet-to-be named opponent.
The remainder of the 2025-2026 schedule will be released in the near future.
2025-26 Marshall Men’s Basketball Sun Belt Conference Schedule
Dec. 20 at Troy
Dec. 31 Georgia State
Jan. 3 App State
Jan. 7 at James Madison
Jan. 10 at Georgia State
Jan. 14 Coastal Carolina
Jan. 17 James Madison
Jan. 22 ULM
Jan. 24 South Alabama
Jan. 28 at Texas State
Jan. 31 at Arkansas State
Feb. 4 Southern Miss
Feb. 11 at Old Dominion
Feb. 14 at Georgia Southern
Feb. 19 at App State
Feb. 21 at Coastal Carolina
Feb. 24 Old Dominion
Feb. 27 Georgia Southern