This is just the moment that the Marshall Thundering Herd have been waiting for. Marshall is making its first NCAA Tournament appearance since the 1980s and just picked up its first-ever NCAA Tournament win. Now, it has its sights set on an arch rival that has tried to avoid playing the school in every sport it can.
The West Virginia Mountaineers know that this would be the worst possible team to lose to. These are the only two Division I schools in the Mountaineer State, but there is a clear big brother, little brother dynamic. A loss would reverberate all offseason long.
This war on the floor will go down Sunday, March 18, 2018, at 9:40 p.m. ET at Viejas Arena in San Diego, California. The game will be televised live on TBS. We'll have NCAA basketball odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game throughout March Madness.
Opening NCAAB Basketball Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Marshall +11
West Virginia -11
Over/Under 159.5
Marshall’s upset victory over Wichita State was the second-biggest of the NCAA Tournament thus far. The Thundering Herd were able to hang close with the Shockers, never allowing them to take too big of a lead before they turned the tide. Jon Elmore was the leading scorer on the day with 27 points for Marshall, and he was able to do what he does best against Wichita State. Elmore gets to the free throw line as much as any player in the country and took 15 trips to the stripe on Friday.
The Mountaineers’ defense was just too much for Murray State to overcome on Friday afternoon. West Virginia’s press rattled the Racers throughout the game, leading to 16 forced turnovers from Murray State. The on the ball defense was as good as its been all season, making Murray State attempt contested shots time and time again. The Racers hit just 30.4 percent from the three-point line and 41.2 percent from the floor as a result. That led to West Virginia comfortable covering as a 10-point favorite per the CBB betting odds.
Matchup to Watch
The Mountaineers are a sizeable favorite by the NCAAB betting line in this one. In order for them to win, cover, and advance to the Sweet 16, the defense is going to have to stop Elmore.
Elmore has been on the floor for all 40 minutes in recent weeks. He is the team’s creator, with 22.8 PPG and 6.9 APG, but has been prone to turning the ball over. Elmore is averaging 3.6 turnovers per game and might be a little gassed after playing another team that raises the tempo in Wichita State.
The key will be for West Virginia to bring the pressure without fouling Elmore. He is great at getting to the line and knocking down freebies, but this Mountaineers defense is the best at forcing opponents out of their comfort zone and into mistakes. As long as they can press without fouling, that should give them a leg up.
Player to Watch
This is what Jevon Carter came back to Morgantown for. The senior did not lead the Mountaineers to a Big 12 title like he had hoped, but they have a nice chance at making it to the Sweet 16 now.
Carter has been the team’s heart and soul. He is the one that brings the most pressure on defense and gets into the heads of opponents. His active arms have led to him picking up 97 steals this year, and he would love to get to the century mark.
Additionally, he is the team’s leading scorer and dishes out 6.6 assists per game too. You can’t overestimate what he means to West Virginia.
Free March Madness ATS Picks
This is where it all ends for Marshall. West Virginia is just too good in too many places and has the depth to keep the pressure ratcheted up on the Thundering Herd. Marshall will eventually stumble and fail to cover the CBB odds in the loss.
NCAAB Basketball Betting Odds: West Virginia 79 Marshall 65
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