Marshall Thundering Herd vs Arkansas State Red Wolves Picks and Prediction for Saturday January 31 2026
The Marshall Thundering Herd (13-8 overall, 5-4 in Sun Belt play) are hitting the road to Jonesboro, Arkansas, where they'll square off against the Arkansas State Red Wolves (13-9 overall, 5-5 Sun Belt). With just half a game difference between them in the conference standings, this matchup could have big implications as both teams look to strengthen their positions down the stretch of the season. Get involved in the action with our free college basketball picks.
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Marshall vs. Arkansas State Game Information
- January 31, 2026
- 3:00pm EST
- First National Bank Arena
- ESPN+
Arkansas State Form & Recent Results
Arkansas State enters this game hoping to turn things around after suffering two consecutive losses and dropping four of their last five contests. The Red Wolves most recently faced Old Dominion at home on Wednesday night, coming up just short in a tightly contested 75-71 defeat. Christian Harmon stepped up with a team-high 20 points, while Jalen Hampton battled hard on the boards, grabbing 12 rebounds. Chandler Jackson showcased his playmaking skills, dishing out 8 assists. The Red Wolves collectively pulled down 42 rebounds during that game, showing their strength in that area despite the loss.
The Red Wolves have leaned on Matt Hayman as their primary scoring option throughout this season, with Hayman currently averaging 11.8 points per game. Christian Harmon isn't far behind, contributing an average of 11.5 points each night. Jalen Hampton leads the way for Arkansas State on the glass, pulling down an average of 8.1 rebounds per game, while Chandler Jackson facilitates the offense with a team-high 4.4 assists per game. Defensively, however, the team has struggled recently, allowing opponents to average 83 points over their last five games. Even so, the Red Wolves have found success on their home court, boasting a strong 7-2 record and scoring an impressive average of 84.2 points per game at home. With Marshall coming to town on Saturday, Arkansas State will be aiming to secure their eighth home victory and avoid suffering a sixth conference loss this season. 
Marshall Form & Recent Results
Marshall heads into this game hoping to bounce back, having lost their most recent matchup and dropping three of their last five games. In their narrow 72-68 defeat against Texas State in San Marcos on Wednesday, the Thundering Herd saw a strong performance from Wyatt Fricks, who put up 16 points. Matt Van Komen was a force on the boards, pulling down 10 rebounds, while Jalen Speer contributed by dishing out 3 assists. Despite shooting an efficient 45% from the field, Marshall struggled with ball security, turning the ball over seven times in the loss.
Throughout this season, Jalen Speer has been the driving force for the Thundering Herd, leading his team with an average of 15 points per game. Wyatt Fricks isn’t far behind, providing valuable offense with his average of 14.5 points. Van Komen has anchored Marshall’s efforts on the glass, collecting a team-high 7.6 rebounds per game, and Speer continues to set up his teammates, notching a team-leading 5.6 assists per contest. Defensively, Marshall has struggled recently, giving up an average of 74 points across their past five games. Their road performances have been particularly challenging, with a 3-6 record away from home and an average of 77.1 points allowed in those games. As they head to Jonesboro this Saturday afternoon, Marshall’s top priorities will be to avoid their seventh road loss of the season and to secure their sixth Sun Belt conference win.
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Sean Higgs | +1,840.00 |
| 2 |  Joe Duffy | +1,403.00 |
| 3 |  Ben Burns | +768.00 |
| 4 |  Joseph D'Amico | +497.00 |
| 5 |  Ross Benjamin | +378.00 |
Key Stats
- Marshall Thundering Herd this season: 46% field goal percentage, 39.1 rebounds, 17.0 assists, 5.7 blocks, 6.1 steals per game
- Arkansas State Red Wolves this season: 45% field goal percentage, 39.8 rebounds, 15.4 assists, 2.2 blocks, 7.7 steals per game
Betting Odds & Market Overview:
- ARST -3.5; O/U 164.5
Marshall vs. Arkansas State Picks and Prediction
Marshall and Arkansas State are neck and neck in the Sun Belt Conference standings, with just half a game between them. Arkansas State is eager to close that gap, especially since they've played well in front of their home crowd this season. In contrast, Marshall has faced challenges when playing on the road, and they're determined to use that frustration as fuel to stay ahead in the race. With their home fans behind them, Arkansas State is hoping the energy in the arena will help push them over the top in this important conference game. Final Score Prediction, Arkansas State Red Wolves win and cover the spread, 84-78.
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