Free Live Odds - Scores and Odds - Sports News - Sports Information - Live Scores - Sports Statistics - Sports Articles - Sports Standings - Live Scor

GAME NOTES: The Marshall Thundering Herd visit Bartow Arena in Birmingham to take on the UAB Blazers in Conference USA action.

Marshall stepped out of conference to host NAIA member Rio Grande on Tuesday, and the result was a 115-73 victory for the Thundering Herd. They've now eclipsed 100 points in two straight games after cruising to a 100-49 win over East Carolina last weekend. But the Herd have been a streaky team this season, as the last two victories were preceded by a five-game skid and a six-game win streak.

UAB snapped a two-game slide with last Saturday's 76-65 victory at Rice. The last time the Blazers took the floor at Bartow Arena, they lost in double overtime to C-USA leader UTEP on January 30th, which halted a seven-game win streak. It also marked their first loss in 11 games at home this season.

UAB owns an 8-4 lead in the head-to-head series thanks to four straight wins over the Herd, including a 61-59 victory at Marshall on January 23rd.

Marshall shot 60.3 percent from the floor against an overmatched Rio Grande squad earlier this week. Seven players scored in double figures, led by Dago Pena with 18 points and six rebounds in 22 minutes off the bench. Despite the obvious gap in talent between Marshall and any NAIA school, the fact is the Herd's offense has been scoring at a frantic pace of late. In last weekend's 51-point win over ECU, Marshall erupted for 67 points in the second half and saw four players finish with at least 15 points. The Herd shot 55.9 percent in that contest, which included a 7-of-10 effort from beyond the arc in the second stanza. On the season, four players are averaging double figures, headlined by seven-footer Hassan Whiteside, a 55.2 percent shooter from the floor who averages 13.1 points and 8.8 rebounds per contest. He is joined down low by Tyler Wilkerson (13.2 ppg, 6.7 rpg), while sophomores Shaquille Johnson (10.8 ppg) and Damier Pitts (10.2 ppg) have made steady contributions in the backcourt.

Elijah Milsap has been the main man for UAB this season, as he leads the team with 16.1 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. Howard Crawford is next in line with 12.0 ppg, followed by Jamarr Sanders (11.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg) and Aaron Johnson (10.2 ppg). That foursome has been in the starting lineup together for every game this season. And with Milsap and company patrolling the paint, the Blazers boast a +5.6 rebounding margin on the year. Defensively, they are holding opponents to 41.8 percent shooting from the floor. Against Rice last weekend, UAB shot just 6-of-20 from the floor in the first half and trailed by as many as 12 at one point. But the Blazers caught fire after the break, shooting a sizzling 7-of-11 from beyond the arc in addition to making 15-of-17 free throws. Johnson led all scorers with 28 points in the win, while Sanders added 18 points and seven rebounds, and Milsap finished with 13 points.

UAB has owned this series of late, and the Blazers have been nearly perfect at home this season. Look for another balanced effort by the home team in this one.