Week 14 Men’s Basketball Preview: Southern Miss

Southern Miss opened conference play by winning four of its first five games, but a 91-65 loss to Troy on Jan. 14 sparked a five-game losing streak. With a victory over James Madison on Saturday, Southern Miss (12-12, 6-6 Sun Belt) enters the week looking to climb out of the middle of the conference standings. First up is a road test against Marshall.

Southern Miss at Marshall

Marshall has alternated wins and losses over the past two weeks after their four-game winning streak was snapped by Georgia State on Jan. 10. The Thundering Herd (14-8, 6-4 Sun Belt) is seeking its first consecutive winning seasons, both overall and in conference play, since 2019-21.

Jalen Speer (14.3 points per game) and Wyatt Fricks (14.1 ppg) lead Marshall’s offense. Speer also tops the Sun Belt in assists, averaging 5.7 per game — nearly a full assist more than Troy’s Cooper Campbell — and ranks in the top 35 nationally.

Van Komen to Fricks for the slam! pic.twitter.com/1o4ugzhlIx

— Marshall Men’s Basketball (@Herd_MBB) January 31, 2026

Caleb Hollenbeck ranks fourth in the conference in 3-point shooting at 39.8%, helping Marshall lead the Sun Belt in team 3-point percentage and rank fourth overall in scoring.

The Thundering Herd has a strong rebounding presence, led by Matt Von Koman, who ranks third in the Sun Belt with 7.6 rebounds per game, while Fricks adds 5.1. However, Marshall sits eighth in the conference in scoring defense, allowing 74 points per game. In Sun Belt play, the Herd is 3-4 when allowing 70 or more points.

For Southern Miss to secure a victory, Tylik Weeks will need to continue his scoring production. Weeks is averaging 18.4 points per game, second in the Sun Belt behind Georgia State’s Jelani Hamilton (18.7). The junior college transfer has scored in double figures in every game against Division I competition, including a 28-point performance in a win over James Madison.

His name is Tylik Weeks #SCTOP10 @SportsCenter | @espn https://t.co/SfaH9UikQo pic.twitter.com/Fc6ACw073N

— Southern Miss MBB (@SouthernMissMBB) January 31, 2026

The Golden Eagles will also need to limit Marshall’s perimeter shooting. When held below 30% from beyond the arc, the Thundering Herd is 1-5 this season.

Tipoff: Wednesday, Feb. 4, 6 p.m. EST

TV: ESPN+

Radio: Thundering Herd IMG Sports Network (Marshall); Southern Miss Radio Network (Southern Miss)

Kent State at Southern Miss

The Golden Eagles return home this weekend for the second leg of the MAC-SBC Challenge, hosting Kent State (16-6. 7-3 MAC). The matchup marks the first meeting between the programs. Both teams are 2-3 all-time in Challenge games. Southern Miss fell to Buffalo 85-79, while Kent State lost to Troy 103-97 in overtime to open this season.

Kent State sits third in the MAC, which includes one of the nation’s two remaining undefeated teams in Miami (OH). The Golden Flashes are led by senior forward Delrecco Gillespie, who is averaging a double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds per game. Gillespie’s rebounding average leads both the MAC and the NCAA, ahead of UNC Greensboro’s Justin Neely (11.8 rpg). Cam Medley directs the offense, averaging a conference-best 6.7 assists per game.

Golden Flashes trail by nine at the half. Gillespie leading KSU in scoring with eight points.

🔗 https://t.co/bc32aD49mA #Team110 | #GoFlashes pic.twitter.com/PRMpTI8aGw

— Kent State Men’s Basketball (@KentStMBB) January 31, 2026

Jahari Williamson could challenge Southern Miss’ perimeter defense, shooting 45.7% from 3-point range. However, Kent State has struggled with fouls, averaging 20 per game. That could benefit the Golden Eagles, who force opponents into 19.3 fouls per contest.

One historical note favors Southern Miss: Sun Belt teams are 14-10 in February Challenge games. Both Southern Miss and Kent State are 1-1 this season.

Tipoff: Saturday, Feb. 7, 2 p.m. EST

TV: ESPN+

Radio: Fox Sports 1350 The Gambler (Kent State); Southern Miss Radio Network (Southern Miss)