Murray State Racers vs Southern Illinois Salukis Matchup

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

Murray State vs Southern Illinois Prediction

Looking to win big? The Racers and Salukis face off at 7:00 ET on ESPN+. The Salukis are hosting the game at Banterra Center in Carbondale, IL. Murray State is favored by -2.5 in this Missouri Valley conference showdown. The game's over/under is currently at 135.5 points.

Murray State vs. Southern Illinois Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: Murray State Racers at Southern Illinois Salukis
Where: Carbondale at Banterra Center
Date: Wednesday, January 22nd
Betting Odds MURST -2.5, MURST -134 | SILL +112 O/U 135.5

Racers Preview: Will Murray State Be The Talk of Banterra Center?

Murray State Racers Recent Game/Games

The Racers fell to 9-9 on the season after a 74-61 loss to Bradley on Saturday. Murray State entered the game as +1 underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game finished just under the O/U line of 135.5, with the teams combining for 135 points.

Murray State trailed 41-35 at halftime and managed only 26 points in the second half while allowing 33. The Racers will need to find a way to generate more offense as they look to get back on track.

Racers Offense Breakdown

Murray State put up 61 points in their last game, shooting 42% from the field and 31.8% from beyond the arc. Their effective field goal percentage was 48%, and they hit 50% of their two-point attempts.

Duke Deen led the way with 18 points and 5 assists, while Darius Hannah and Corey Thomas each added 16 points, with Thomas shooting 83.3% from the floor. The Racers had just 8 assists as a team and grabbed 6 offensive rebounds, shooting 66.7% from the free-throw line.

Racers Team Defense

Despite giving up 74 points, Murray State's defense held their opponent to 42% shooting from the field, with 21 made baskets on 50 attempts. Inside the arc, the Racers allowed 14 two-point field goals on 28 attempts, a 50% shooting rate.

From three-point range, Murray State's defense limited their opponent to 7 made threes on 22 attempts, a 31% success rate. They also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 18 times, where they converted 12 free throws, shooting 66%. The Racers gave up 6 offensive rebounds in the game.

Salukis Preview: Is A Home Victory Likely for Underdog Southern Illinois?

Southern Illinois Salukis Recent Game/Games

Southern Illinois improved to 6-11 on the season with a 73-49 win over Northern Iowa on Saturday. The Salukis, who were +5 point underdogs, not only pulled off the upset but also covered the spread.

Southern Illinois dominated early, leading 33-15 at halftime. They scored 40 points in the 2nd half while allowing 34. The game’s total points of 122 fell short of the 143.5 O/U line.

Salukis Offense Breakdown

Southern Illinois put up 73 points in their last game, shooting 54% from the field and 52.6% from three-point range, hitting 10 of 19 attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was an impressive 64%, with a 54.8% success rate on two-point shots.

The Salukis dished out 16 assists and grabbed 8 offensive rebounds, while connecting on 75% of their free throws (9/12). Kennard Davis Jr. led the way with 24 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 66.7% overall and 50% from beyond the arc (4/8).

Salukis Team Defense

Despite Southern Illinois giving up 49 points, their defense struggled, allowing the opponent to shoot 54% from the field, including 17/31 on two-point attempts.

From beyond the arc, the opposing team hit 10/19 threes, shooting 52%. They also went 9/12 from the free-throw line. Southern Illinois gave up 8 offensive rebounds.

Racers vs Salukis Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

Murray State has played well in their previous three road games, going 2-1 straight up. In this stretch, they averaged 76 points per game while allowing 74. The team also performed well vs the spread at 2-1.
Southern Illinois has a 1-2 record in their last three home games. In this stretch, they averaged 71 points per game while allowing 75. The team also performed well vs the spread at 2-1.
The last ten games that Southern Illinois was the underdog, they have an ATS mark of 4-5-1 while going 2-8 straight up.
In their last three games as the betting favorite, the Racers have a straight up record of 1-2 and an ATS mark of 1-2.