Belmont Bruins vs Murray State Racers Matchup

Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our Belmont vs Murray State NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in Murray.

Belmont vs Murray State Prediction

Looking to win big? The Bruins and Racers face off at 4:00 ET on ESPN+. The Racers are hosting the game at CFSB Center in Murray, KY. This Missouri Valley conference matchup has an over/under of 151.5 points, and Murray State is favored to win by -4.5 at home vs. Belmont.

Belmont vs. Murray State Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: Belmont Bruins at Murray State Racers
Where: Murray at CFSB Center
Date: Saturday, January 25th
Betting Odds MURST -4.5, BELM +152 | MURST -184 O/U 151.5

Bruins Preview: Will Belmont Find a Way to Win on the Road?

Belmont Bruins Recent Game/Games

Belmont's season record dropped to 13-6 after an 89-77 home loss to Bradley on Tuesday. The Bruins entered the game as +2.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game reached 166, surpassing the pre-game O/U line of 155.5.

After a 43-43 tie at halftime, Belmont struggled in the second half, scoring only 34 points while allowing 46.

Bruins Offense Breakdown

Belmont's offense put up 77 points in their last game, shooting 38.2% from the field and 29.7% from three-point range, hitting 11 of 37 attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 47.1%, and they were strong from the free-throw line, making 82.4% of their shots (14/17).

Christian Davis led the way with 19 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 50% from beyond the arc (3/6). Carter Whitt contributed 15 points and 11 assists, shooting 54.5% overall and 50% from three-point range (2/4). Belmont also grabbed 14 offensive rebounds and dished out 18 assists as a team.

Bruins Team Defense

Despite Belmont's defense giving up 89 points, they held their opponent to 38% shooting from the field. The Bruins allowed 15 two-point baskets on 31 attempts, a 48% shooting rate.

From beyond the arc, Belmont's defense gave up 11 three-pointers on 37 attempts, with their opponent shooting 29%. They also sent the other team to the line 17 times, where they made 14 free throws, an 82% success rate. Belmont allowed 14 offensive rebounds.

Racers Preview: Will Murray State Make it Happen at Home?

Murray State Racers Recent Game/Games

Murray State improved to 10-9 on the season with a 74-64 road win over Southern Illinois on Wednesday. The Racers entered the game as -1.5 favorites and covered the spread with the victory.

After leading 34-32 at halftime, Murray State outscored the Salukis 40-32 in the second half. The game’s total points of 138 narrowly exceeded the over/under line of 137.5.

Racers Offense Breakdown

Murray State's offense put up 74 points in their last game, shooting 49.1% from the field. They hit 60% of their two-point attempts, but struggled from beyond the arc, connecting on just 5 of 18 threes for a 27.8% rate. At the free-throw line, they made 17 of 23 attempts, good for 73.9%.

AJ Ferguson led the way with 22 points and 8 rebounds, shooting 66.7% overall, though he hit just 1 of 4 from deep. Ali Dibba added 21 points, while Kennard Davis Jr. chipped in 20, despite shooting 1 of 8 from three-point range. Nick Ellington was perfect from the field, hitting all 6 of his shots for 14 points.

Racers Team Defense

Despite giving up 64 points, Murray State's defense held their opponent to 42% shooting from the field, with 23 made baskets on 54 attempts. They struggled to contain two-point shots, allowing 20 makes on 34 attempts, a 58% success rate.

However, the Racers were effective in defending the perimeter, limiting their opponent to just 3 made threes on 20 attempts, a 15% shooting performance. They also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 21 times, where they converted 15 attempts, shooting 71%. Murray State gave up 8 offensive rebounds.

Bruins vs Racers Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

Although Belmont has a straight up record of 6-4 in their last ten road games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 5-5. The team averaged 75 points per game in these games.
In their last ten games at home, the Racers have a straight up record of 4-6 while going 6-4 vs. the spread. The team averaged 77 points per game in this stretch.
As the betting underdog, the Bruins have an ATS mark of just 1-4 in their last five games. Belmont posted a straight up mark of 1-4 in these matchups.
Going back to their last ten games as the favorite, the Racers have a straight up record of 6-4. But, their mark vs the spread was just 4-6.