Busting Brackets
Fansided

NCAA Basketball: 10 Preseason Mid-majors to watch for 2018-19

By Tristan Freeman

BOISE, ID - MARCH 17: The Gonzaga Bulldogs bench reacts during the second half against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 17, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
BOISE, ID - MARCH 17: The Gonzaga Bulldogs bench reacts during the second half against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 17, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 11
Next
SAN DIEGO, CA – MARCH 18: Jon Elmore
SAN DIEGO, CA – MARCH 18: Jon Elmore /

Marshall Thundering Herd

2017-18 results: 25-11 (12-6) – Round of 32

Key losses: None

Key returnees: SR Jon Elmore (22.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg, and 6.7 apg) – SR CJ Burks (20.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, and 3.1 apg) – SR Ajdin Penava (15.6 ppg and 8.5 rpg)

In the first half of the season, Marshall was an offensive juggernaut that couldn’t play a lick of defense, which was why the team wasn’t a true contender in Conference USA.

But they have always shown signs of hope, included sweeping the regular season champions Middle Tennessee. A third win, followed by beating Western Kentucky allowed the Thundering Herd to go to the NCAA Tournament.

The signature moment of the season came in the first round upset of Wichita State with their trio of stars combined to score 56 of the team’s 81 total points. But it ultimately was the team’s vastly improved defense that allowed them to make this second-half run.

Now the reason I’m recapping the season so much is that everyone has a chance to come back, barring what Jon Elmore decides to do with the NBA Draft. Assuming he does return, Marshall will be the favorite in Conference USA, will a good defense to go along with that explosive offense.

Home/NCAA Basketball News