Murray State Racers vs Indiana State Sycamores NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 12/18/24

Looking to win big? The Racers and Sycamores face off at 7:00 ET on ESPN+. The Sycamores are hosting the game at Hulman Center in Terre Haute, IN. Murray State is favored by -2 in this Missouri Valley conference matchup the against Indiana State. The over/under for the game is set at 154.5 points.

MURRAY STATE RACERS VS INDIANA STATE SYCAMORES BETTING PICK

The Pick: Indiana State Sycamores +2

This game will be played at Hulman Center at 7:00 ET on Wednesday, December 18th.

WHY BET THE INDIANA STATE SYCAMORES:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 77-69 in favor of the Sycamores.
• Not only will Indiana State pick up the win, but look for them to cover at +2.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 154.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 146 points.

Will the Racers Defense Show Up on the Road?

Murray State Racers Recent Game/Games

The Racers fell to 5-3 on the season after a 81-76 loss to Western Kentucky on Saturday. Murray State, who entered the game as +5.5 point underdogs, kept it closer than expected, covering the spread. The game’s total points of 157 exceeded the pre-game over/under line of 148.5.

Murray State led 39-33 at halftime but struggled in the second half, scoring just 28 points while allowing 34. The Racers will need to address their second-half performance as they move forward.

Murray State’s offense put up 76 points in their last game, despite shooting just 37.9% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 42.4%, with two-point shooting at 40% (18/45) and three-point shooting at 33.3% (7/21). They connected on 73.1% of their free throws, hitting 19 of 26 attempts.

Don McHenry led the Racers with 29 points, shooting 39.1% overall and 40% from three-point range (4/10). JaCobi Wood added 22 points, making 5 of 10 threes and dishing out 6 assists. Babacar Faye contributed 17 points and 9 rebounds, shooting 58.3% from the field.

Even though Murray State held their opponents to 38% shooting from the field, they still gave up 81 points. The Racers allowed 21 field goals from two-point range on 46 attempts, a 45% shooting rate.

From beyond the arc, Murray State’s defense limited their opponents to 6 made threes on 25 attempts, a 24% success rate. However, they sent them to the free-throw line 25 times, where they converted 21 free throws, shooting 84%. The Racers also gave up 15 offensive rebounds.

Are the Sycamores Ready for a Home Win?

Indiana State improved to 5-4 on the season with an 80-77 win over Missouri State on Saturday. The Sycamores were +4.5 point underdogs going into the game, but they not only pulled off the upset but also covered the spread.

After trailing 40-36 at halftime, Indiana State turned things around by outscoring Missouri State 44-37 in the second half. The total points for the game reached 157, surpassing the pre-game O/U line of 148.5.

Indiana State’s offense was firing on all cylinders in their last game, putting up 80 points on 57.1% shooting from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was an impressive 66.1%, thanks in large part to their 75.9% shooting on two-point attempts. From beyond the arc, they hit 10 of 27 threes, good for 37%.

Dez White led the way with 30 points, hitting 5 of 11 from deep, while Samage Teel added 23 points and 9 assists, shooting 75% overall and 50% from three. Jaden Daughtry contributed 20 points on 64.3% shooting, and Vincent Brady II connected on 3 of 4 threes, finishing with 15 points.

Indiana State’s defense gave up 77 points in their last game, with the opposing team shooting 44% from the field. They allowed 26 made field goals on 58 attempts.

From two-point range, the opposition shot 50%, hitting 18 of 36 shots. From beyond the arc, they went 8/22, shooting 36%. Indiana State also sent them to the free-throw line 27 times, where they made 17 free throws, shooting 63%.