Murray State vs Akron Prediction 12/13/2025 Today’s College Basketball Picks
Chris Ruffolo
Nov 16, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) looks to get past Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3) during the second half at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
MATCHUP
Murray State Racers
Akron Zips
Team Records
8-3
8-3
Where
Lee's Family Forum, Henderson, NV
When
Saturday, December 13, 2025
Time
04:00 PM EST
TV
BallerTV
The Murray State Racers and the Akron Zips meet Saturday in college basketball action from Lee’s Family Forum. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Murray State Racers vs. Akron Zips prediction.
Murray State Racers Recap
The Murray State Racers come into this game looking to add on to their 81-68 win over Bellarmine last time out to sit at 7-3 this season. After this game, Murray State will head home for a game against Drake.
Racers Win 3 In A Row
Javon Jackson leads the Racers in scoring with 16.3 PPG along with 2.2 APG while Fred King has 12.3 PPG with 8.1 RPG to lead the Racers in rebounding. Roman Domon has 11.6 PPG with 5.8 RPG to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for Murray State up to this point in the year. Mason Miller has 9.6 PPG with 4.3 RPG and JJ Traynor also has 8 PPG with 3.3 RPG and Brayden Shorter has 8.3 PPG while Layne Taylor has 7.2 PPG with 3.4 RPG and a team-high 4.3 APG to lead the Racers in assists up to this point in the year. As a team, Murray State is averaging 88.8 PPG on 47.1% shooting from the field, 36% from three and 73.9% from the foul line this season.
Akron Zips Recap
The Akron Zips come into this game looking to add on to their win over 88-71 win over Tulane last time out to sit at 8-2 this season. After this game, Akron will head home for a game against Eastern Michigan.
Zips Win 3 Straight
Tavari Johnson leads the Zips in scoring with 18.5 PPG along with 5.3 APG while Amani Lyles has 15.4 PPG with 5.9 RPG this season. Shammah Scott has 13.9 PPG with 3.3 APG while Evan Mahaffey has 10.6 PPG with 4.6 RPG and 3.9 APG to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for Akron up to this point in the year. Eric Mahaffey has 9.2 PPG with a team-high 6 RPG to lead the Zips in rebounding while Bowen Hardman has 8.5 PPG as well this season. As a team, Akron is averaging 95.4 PPG on 52.4% shooting from the field, 39.9% from three and 73.7% from the foul line this season.
Murray State Racers @ Akron Zips Betting Trends: December 13, 2025
Why the Akron Zips will win
Akron has won 15 of its last 16 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Akron has won the first half in each of its last nine day games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Why the Murray State Racers will win
Murray State has won each of its last four day games against non-Conference opponents.
Murray State has won the first half in each of its last six Saturday games against non-Conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
Sixty-three of Murray State’s last 64 day games have produced a total of 172 or fewer points.
Each of Akron’s last seven day games against non-Conference opponents have produced a total of 173 or fewer points.
Matchup/League Facts
Akron is the only team to ranks in the top-five for both points and assists per game this season.
Akron ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for assists per game this season (21.0).
Murray State ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point field goal attempts per game this season (16.1).
Murray State ranks 11th among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point field goals made per game this season (5.2).
Murray State Racers vs. Akron Zips Prediction
I’m on Akron here. If this game was at Akron I feel the line would be steeper, but the thing here is that the Racers have struggled in their step up spots against the better teams they’ve gone up against, including some of the better mid-majors they’ve faced like losing to McNeese earlier this year. I have Akron lined as one of the best mid-majors in the country and while I think this is going to be an awesome game, I think Akron snags the win and cover here.