1/24 12:00 PM CBB (567) UTEP at (568) MARSHALL
FREE PICK: (567) UTEP -13
The season can’t end soon enough for anyone who cheers on Marshall. This figured to be a tough campaign for the Thundering Herd, but it’s fair to say it’s been even worse than almost anyone could have imagined. Things don’t appear likely to improve today.
This actually looked like it might be a dead spot for visiting UTEP where perhaps the lowly Herd might be able to throw a scare into their superior guests. Unfortunately for Marshall, they instead are catching the Miners in what will likely be a very nasty mood after what happened to them on Thursday.
UTEP really gave one away at Western Kentucky. They should have been up 10 at the half, but committed a dumb foul on a long three and thus led by only seven. Then right at the end of regulation, the Miners were given a massive break when one of the Hilltoppers committed a terrible foul on a three and gave UTEP a chance to steal the win. But UTEP missed the last free throw, the game went to overtime and Western Kentucky ended up celebrating a big home win.
If it was just the end half and end game mistakes, UTEP might just be down in the dumps. But there was more to this loss than those two episodes. The Miners were an incredible 0/17 on threes against the Hilltoppers. They were a shabby 12/24 at the foul line. Plus, UTEP allowed its opponent to snare 13 offensive boards, which is pretty bad for a team that’s usually very adept at preventing second chance baskets.
UTEP coach Tim Floyd knew his team let a victory skip through its collective fingers and said so after the game. Western Kentucky didn’t beat the Miners. The Miners beat the Miners. That’s bad news for an outgunned Marshall squad, and it gets worse when factoring in UTEP owning an eye-popping 16-4-1 spread record following a loss. I think UTEP is arriving in Huntington in a grimly determined state of mind, and if that’s the case, laying the points with the Miners is the way to play.