Illinois State vs Murray State Prediction College Basketball Picks 1/2/25

The Illinois State Redbirds and the Murray State Racers meet Thursday 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 an Illinois State vs. Murray State prediction.

Illinois State Recap

The Illinois State Redbirds come into this game looking to bounce back from a 73-67 loss to UIC last time out to fall to 8-5 overall and 0-2 in MVC conference play. After this game, Illinois State will head back home for a date with Southern Illinois.

Redbirds Looking To Rebound After Four Game Win Streak Is Snapped

Chase Walker leads the Redbirds in scoring and rebounding with 14.6 PPG and 6.3 RPG while Johnny Kinziger has 13.8 PPG with 4 RPG and 3.4 APG. Dalton Banks has 10.9 PPG with 4.6 RPG and a team-high 4.3 APG to cap off the trio of double-digit scorers for Illinois State as the Redbirds’ top assist man. Ty Pence also has 9.5 PPG with 4.3 RPG as well on the year. As a team, Illinois State is averaging 79.1 PPG on 48.8% shooting from the field, 40.4% from three and 77.9% from the foul line this season.

Why the Illinois State Redbirds will win

• Illinois State has won four of its last five games.
• Murray State has lost four of its last five games.

Murray State Recap

The Murray State Racers come into this game looking to build on their 71-68 win over Loyola-Chicago last time out to improve to 7-6 on the year and to salvage a win from the Diamond Head Classic. After this game, Murray State will head on the road to take on Drake.

Racers Looking To Build Steam

JaCobi Wood leads the Racers in scoring and assists with 13.6 PPG and 5.3 APG along with 3.9 RPG while Kylen Milton has 12.6 PPG with 4.2 RPG. AJ Ferguson’s added 12.5 PPG with a team-high 5.5 RPG to lead the Racers on the glass while Terence Harcum’s chipped in 12 PPG to cap off the scoring in double figures for Murray State up to this point in the year. KyeRon Lindsay also has 8.4 PPG with 5.3 RPG of his own as well this season. As a team, Murray State is averaging 76.8 PPG on 45.9% shooting from the field, 36.1% from three and 69.3% from the foul line so far this season.

Why the Murray State Racers will win

• Illinois State has lost each of its last four games against the Missouri Valley Conference.
• Murray State has won 29 of its last 35 night games at CFSB Center.

Total Points Facts

• Nine of Murray State’s last 10 night games have produced a total of 140+ points.
• Each of Illinois State’s last four games have produced a total of 140+ points.

Illinois State vs. Murray State Prediction

I’m going to take Illinois State and the points here. I just think that there could be some rust that Murray State is going to have to shake off in the early going and especially having not played since their tournament in Hawaii, I usually like fading these teams. Illinois State is rock solid offensively with quite a few shot makers that can make life difficult for Murray State in this game and I think the Redbirds are live in this game. Give me Illinois State and the points with a healthy sprinkle on Illinois State moneyline in this one.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Illinois State +5.5