Belmont Bruins vs
Murray St. RacersPredictions & Preview

Belmont Bruins to Face Off Against Murray State Racers in Exciting Missouri Valley Conference Matchup

On Saturday, the Belmont Bruins and Murray State Racers, two rivals from the Missouri Valley Conference, will face off at the CFSB Center in Murray, Kentucky. Belmont (14-6, 6-3 MVC) is looking to bounce back from a loss to Bradley and is currently two games behind first place in the MVC. Murray State (11-9, 5-4 MVC) is coming off a win against Southern Illinois, snapping a two-game losing streak, and trails first place by three games. Both teams are healthy and ready to compete. Murray State is the favorite in the betting odds, opening at -4 and remaining unchanged. Stay tuned for expert predictions on this exciting matchup.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Bruins +150 | Racers -183
• Spread: Bruins +4 (-110) | Racers -4 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 150.75 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Murray St. will win straight-up is 65%.

Belmont vs Murray St. Stats

Belmont Bruins

Belmont Bruins display strong offensive capabilities, scoring an average of 81.2 points per game and shooting 46.8% overall and 36.9% from 3-point territory. They have four players averaging double figures in scoring, with Jonathan Pierre leading at 13.7 points per game. Carter Whitt follows closely at 13.5 points per game and leads in assists with an average of 5.1 per game. Defensively, the Bruins allow an average of 78.8 points per game and have room for improvement, allowing opponents to shoot 45.9% overall and 35.3% from 3-point territory. Belmont is ranked 44 in offense, 331 in defense, and holds a 14-6 record for the season.

Murray St. Racers Analysis

The Murray State Racers maintain a solid offensive game, scoring an average of 74.5 points per game and shooting 45.4% from the field. On defense, they allow an average of 69.1 points per game and hold opponents to a 45.2% shooting percentage. The team has four players averaging double figures in scoring, with JaCobi Wood leading the pack with 12.6 points per game. Kylen Milton follows closely behind with an average of 12.0 points per game. Wood also leads in assists, while AJ Ferguson shines in rebounds. Milton leads in steals, and Nick Ellington stands out as the rim protector. Overall, the Racers are ranked 193rd for offense and 112th for defense, with an 11-9 record. Their strong three-point shooting and defensive rebounding are key factors in their game.

Murray State's Strong Defense Puts Pressure on Belmont's Three-Point Strategy

Murray State boasts a stronger defense compared to Belmont, limiting opponents to an average of 69.1 points per game. The Racers excel in perimeter defense, holding opposing teams to a mere 29.7% shooting from beyond the arc, posing a challenge for Belmont, whose offensive strategy heavily relies on three-point shots at a 36.9% success rate. Conversely, Belmont's defensive capabilities are questionable, allowing an average of 78.8 points per game. Opponents have been successful in shooting 45.9% overall and 35.3% from three-point range against the Bruins. In recent matchups, Murray State has demonstrated a stronger performance in covering the spread in four of its last six games overall and four of the last five home games against Belmont. On the other hand, Belmont has struggled to cover the spread in eight of its last nine games and has a 1-8-1 record against the spread in the last 10 matchups against teams from the Missouri Valley Conference.

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