The No. 5 seed Thundering Herd, 19-8 overall and 11-7 in conference play, is 2-0 against the No. 12 seed Bulls this season, including an 88-72 Feb. 19 win at Buffalo (5-12, 2-16). 

Marshall Coach Greg White said he doesn't think his team will fall victim to the "third time's a charm" superstition. 

"People say it's hard to beat a team three times, but I don't believe that," White said. "I would much rather be going into the game 2-0 against them versus 1-1 or 0-2 because the more you lose to them, the more doubt you have and we don't have any doubt that we can win the game. 

"It's just a matter of going out and carrying out the game plan and doing what we're capable of doing." 

White said Marshall has more riding on the outcome of the game than its opponent. 

"We have a little more to play for than Buffalo," he said. "We have a chance at post season. Buffalo has struggled. 

"We've got the NCAA and the NIT to play for," he added. "We still have the 20th win to play for. There aren't 30 teams in college basketball with 20 wins at this point so we still have a lot to play for." 

White said one of the keys to a victory tonight will be mental toughness. 

"The keys are for us to play good, solid defense and for us to have a good, solid defense and have a solid offensive attack," he said. "We have to get out and do the things we're capable of doing. We can't have a mental lock down." 

White said another key to a Thundering Herd victory will be an attendance similar to Saturday's season-high crowd of 7,015, but added the students would have to make up most of the attendance because of the $14 cost for the public. 

"We had the best student support we've had in four years the last time out and that's tremendous," White said. "The students were fantastic. We've got the group of White's Wackos now who are up ranting and raving. 

"I just thought it was a tremendous atmosphere, he added. "We need a huge student turnout." 

Senior forward Derrick Wright agreed. 

"It was a great feeling to see all the fans come out and get the support," Wright said. "We've got to have that every night. That's what we need against Buffalo to get the win. 

"The fans are like the sixth man on our bench. The fans are just as important as the players. They make a big difference."

Story by Michelle James
Photos by Terri Blair and Justin Ruble