Valparaiso Beacons vs Murray State Racers NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/11/25
The Beacons and Racers are set to face off at 4:00 ET on ESPN+. The Racers will host the game at CFSB Center in Murray, KY. The odds for this Missouri Valley conference game currently have Murray State as the -8.5 point favorite with the over/under line sitting at 145.5 points.
VALPARAISO BEACONS VS MURRAY STATE RACERS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Valparaiso Beacons +8.5
This game will be played at CFSB Center at 4:00 ET on Saturday, January 11th.
WHY BET THE VALPARAISO BEACONS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 76-72 in favor of the Racers.
- Even though we have Murray State winning straight-up, we like Valparaiso at +8.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 145.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 148 points.
Will the Beacons Make it Happen in Murray?
Valparaiso Beacons Recent Game/Games
Valparaiso improved to 8-6 on the season with a 98-95 win over Indiana State on Wednesday. The Beacons, who were -1.5 point favorites, covered the spread in the victory.
Valpo led 45-40 at halftime but allowed 46 points in the 2nd half while scoring 41. The game’s total points of 193 exceeded the O/U line of 162.5.
Valparaiso’s offense put up 98 points in their last game, shooting 47.6% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 54%. They connected on 44.4% of their threes, hitting 8 of 18 attempts, and went 32 for 43 at the free-throw line, good for 74.4%.
All Wright led the way with 25 points, while Cooper Schwieger, Tyler Schmidt, and Samage Teel each added 23. Teel also dished out 7 assists. Valpo had 10 offensive rebounds and 10 assists as a team.
Valparaiso’s defense struggled, giving up 95 points while allowing their opponent to shoot 47% from the field. They gave up 22 two-point baskets on 45 attempts, a 48% shooting rate.
From beyond the arc, Valparaiso allowed 8 threes on 18 attempts, a 44% success rate. They also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 43 times, where they converted 32 free throws, a 74% rate. Valparaiso allowed 10 offensive rebounds.
Can the Racers Secure a Win at Home?
Murray State improved to 8-7 on the season with a 71-68 road win over Northern Iowa on Wednesday. The Racers entered the game as +5.5 underdogs but not only pulled off the upset, they also covered the spread. The game’s total points finished at 139, just over the pre-game O/U line of 137.5.
Murray State led 33-27 at halftime and scored 38 points in the 2nd half while allowing 41 points to the Panthers. Despite a closer 2nd half, the Racers held on for the win.
Murray State’s offense was firing on all cylinders in their last game, shooting 55.8% from the field and 57.1% from beyond the arc, hitting 12 threes. Their effective field goal percentage was a remarkable 69.8%.
Trey Campbell led the way with 17 points, while Tytan Anderson added 15 points and 4 assists. JaCobi Wood contributed 11 points and 6 assists, and Alden Applewhite was perfect from the field, going 4/4 overall and 3/3 from three-point range.
Despite giving up 68 points, Murray State’s defense struggled, allowing the opposing team to shoot 51% from the field. They were particularly vulnerable inside, where they conceded 23 two-point baskets on 39 attempts, a 59% shooting rate.
From beyond the arc, Murray State’s defense held the opposing team to 4 made threes on 13 attempts, a 30% shooting percentage. They also sent the other team to the free-throw line 12 times, where they converted 10 free throws, shooting 83%.