Murray State (9-7) vs Valparaiso (10-6)
Game Info: Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 4:00 pm (CFSB Center)
Betting Odds: Murray State -8 -- Over/Under: 145.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: ESPN+
The Valparaiso Beacons and the Murray State Racers meet Saturday in college basketball action from the CFSB Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Valparaiso vs. Murray State prediction.
Valparaiso Recap
The Valparaiso Beacons come into this game looking to build on a 98-95 win over the Indiana State Sycamores last time out to improve their record to 10-6 on the year. After this game, Valparaiso will head on the road once again to take on the Belmont Bruins.
Beacons Win Third Straight
Cooper Schwieger leads the Beacons in scoring and rebounding with 14.7 PPG and 6.8 RPG while Jefferson De La Cruz Monegro has 12.7 PPG with 2.4 APG. Tyler Schmidt has 12.7 PPG and All Wright has 11.3 PPG and 2.9 APG to round out the group of double-digit scorers for Valparaiso so far this season. Darius DeAveiro has a team-high 2.9 APG to lead the Beacons in assists while Devon Ellis has 7.9 PPG with 3.6 RPG and Kaspar Sapp has a team-high 6.9 RPG as well this season. As a team, Valparaiso is averaging 80.7 PPG on 44.2% shooting from the field, 34% from three, and 79.5% from the foul line this season.
Why the Valparaiso Beacons will win
- Valparaiso has won five of its last six games.
Murray State Recap
The Murray State Racers come into this game looking to build on a 71-68 road win over Northern Iowa last time out to improve to 9-7 on the year. After this game, Murray State will head on the road for a matchup against the UIC Flames.
Racers Win Back-To-Back Games
JaCobi Wood leads the Racers in scoring and assists with 13.6 PPG and 5.2 APG along with 3.8 RPG while Kylen Milton has 12.8 PPG with 4.3 RPG. AJ Ferguson added 11.9 PPG with a team-high 5.3 RPG to lead the Racers on the glass while Terence Harcum chipped in 12.2 PPG to cap off the scoring in double figures for Murray State up to this point in the year. KyeRon Lindsay also has 7.7 PPG with 4.8 RPG of his own as well this season. As a team, Murray State is averaging 75.2 PPG on 46.6% shooting from the field, 37.8% from three, and 69.7% from the foul line so far this season.
Why the Murray State Racers will win
- Murray State has won each of its last four games against Valparaiso.
- Valparaiso has lost six of its last seven day games after coming off overtime.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Valparaiso's last seven day games against the Missouri Valley Conference has produced a total of 147+ points.
- Each of Murray State's last four games has produced a total of 142 or fewer points.
Valparaiso vs. Murray State Prediction
I’m with Valparaiso here. I think the Beacons are just flat-out being disrespected here. This is a Beacons team that’s been competitive all throughout conference play so far and I’ll give them credit. I didn’t think they would be competitive, as this is a Valpo team that’s been trounced for the better part of their tenure as part of the Missouri Valley Conference. But Murray State isn’t the same Murray State team as past seasons and I think that the Racers are just overvalued here after the win over Northern Iowa. Give me Valparaiso and the points.
Chris’s Pick Valparaiso +8
AUTHOR: Chris Ruffolo
