Murray State Racers vs Missouri State Bears NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 2/1/25
Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Racers versus the Bears? Tip off is at at 3:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on ESPN+. The game will be played at Great Southern Bank Arena in Springfield, MO. Murray State come into this Missouri Valley conference matchup as the -3.5 favorite. The over/under line currently sits at 131.5 points.
MURRAY STATE RACERS VS MISSOURI STATE BEARS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Missouri State Bears +3.5
This game will be played at Great Southern Bank Arena at 3:00 ET on Saturday, February 1st.
WHY BET THE MISSOURI STATE BEARS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 77-69 in favor of the Bears.
- Not only will Missouri State pick up the win, but look for them to cover at +3.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 131.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 146 points.
Will the Racers Make it Happen on the Road?
Murray State Racers Recent Game/Games
The Racers dropped to 10-11 on the season after a 78-74 road loss to Evansville on Wednesday. Murray State entered the game as 5-point favorites but failed to cover the spread.
After leading 25-20 at halftime, the Racers allowed 58 points in the 2nd half while scoring 49 of their own. The game’s total points of 152 exceeded the over/under line of 133.5.
Murray State’s offense put up 74 points in their last game, shooting 37.5% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc, hitting 12 threes on 36 attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 46.9%, and they connected on 77.8% of their free throws, going 14-for-18 from the line.
Gabriel Pozzato and JaCobi Wood each scored 29 points, with Pozzato shooting 71.4% overall and 57.1% from three. Wood hit 66.7% of his threes, going 6-for-9. Tanner Cuff added 12 points, shooting 85.7% from the field and grabbing 12 rebounds, while Tayshawn Comer contributed 6 assists.
Even with Murray State allowing 78 points, their opponent shot a scorching 57% from the field, connecting on 27 of 47 attempts. Inside the arc, they were particularly effective, hitting 65% of their two-point shots, going 21/32.
From beyond the arc, Murray State’s defense gave up 6 threes on 15 attempts, a 40% clip. They also sent their opponent to the line 24 times, where they converted 18 free throws, shooting 75%. Murray State limited second-chance opportunities, allowing just 5 offensive rebounds.
Can Missouri State Grab a Win at Home?
Missouri State Bears Recent Game/Games
Missouri State’s season record dropped to 5-15 after a 72-67 road loss to Indiana State on Wednesday. The Bears entered the game as +5 point underdogs and managed to keep it close, resulting in a push against the spread. The total points for the game were 139, falling short of the 146.5 O/U line.
Missouri State led 36-25 at halftime but struggled in the second half, scoring 31 points while allowing 47. This second-half collapse was the main reason for their loss.
Missouri State’s offense put up 67 points in their last game, shooting 49.1% from the field. They hit 63.6% of their two-point attempts, but struggled from beyond the arc, connecting on just 25% of their threes (5/20).
The Bears also shot 62.5% from the free-throw line, with 11 offensive rebounds and 13 assists. Samage Teel led the way with 20 points, while Jaden Daughtry added 18 points and 9 rebounds.
Missouri State’s defense gave up 72 points in their last game, with the opposing team shooting 42% from the field. They allowed 12 two-point baskets on 22 attempts, a 54% shooting rate.
From beyond the arc, the Bears’ defense saw the other team hit 8 of 25 threes, shooting 32%. Missouri State also sent them to the line 32 times, where they made 24 free throws, a 75% success rate. The Bears gave up 14 offensive rebounds.