Murray State vs Drake Prediction College Basketball Picks 1/5/25

In this article, we will formulate a Murray State vs Drake prediction for this College Basketball game on Sunday, January 5th at the Knapp Center in Des Moines, Iowa. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this College Basketball matchup.

Murray State Racers Betting Preview

The Murray State Racers are 7-7 (1-2) this season after they lost to Illinois State by a score of 74-68 in their last game. Murray State trailed 33-25 at halftime, but they did score 43 points in the second half in the loss. The Racers shot 41.7% from the field, 34.8% on three-pointers, and 76.9% on free throws in the game. JaCobi Wood led Murray State with 21 points and four assists, while Kylen Milton added 18 points and eight rebounds in the loss. 

Prior to that game, the Racers defeated Loyola by a score of 71-68 but did lose to Charlotte by a score of 94-90 before that. Murray State has lost five of their last six games and they opened conference play with a win over Evansville and a loss against Indiana State. Murray State has scored 76.1 points per game and they have allowed 69.4 points per game, while also averaging 33.6 rebounds and 12.2 assists per game this season. JaCobi Wood is averaging 14.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game, while Kylen Milton is averaging 13.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game this year. Murray State is shooting 45.7% from the field, 69.8% on free throws, and 36% on three-pointers this season. 

Drake Bulldogs Betting Preview

The Drake Bulldogs are 12-1 (2-1) this year after they lost to UIC by a score of 74-70 in their last game. Drake trailed 33-32 at halftime and allowed 42 points in the second half in the loss. The Bulldogs shot 49.1% from the field, 31.6% on three-pointers, and 72.7% on free throws in the game. Bennett Stirtz led Drake with 30 points and 12 rebounds, while Cam Manyawu added 13 points and 12 rebounds in the loss. 

Prior to that game, the Bulldogs defeated Belmont by a score of 65-46 and Green Bay by a score of 72-62. Drake has won 12 of their first 13 games, including a 66-60 win over Valpo in their first conference game. Drake has scored 73.5 points per game and they have allowed 57.6 points per game, while also averaging 32.5 rebounds and 15.1 assists per game this season. Bennett Stirtz is averaging 18.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game, while Daniel Abreu is averaging 12.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game this year. Drake is shooting 49.7% from the field, 70.4% on free throws, and 34.4% on three-pointers this season. 

Why Drake will beat Murray State

• Drake has won each of its last 28 games at Knapp Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Murray State has lost each of its last five road games against Conference opponents.
• Murray State has lost the first half in nine of its last 10 games against Conference opponents.

Murray State vs Drake Prediction 

Drake comes into this matchup after suffering their first loss in their last game, but they will try to bounce back at home here. The Bulldogs are 12-1 on the season and their defense has led the way, as they are allowing 57.6 points per game this year. Murray State is really struggling right now, but they are scoring 76.1 points per game this season. The Racers started the season playing pretty well, but they have dropped five of their last six and they have allowed at least 74 points in four of those five losses. Drake’s loss to UIC was a bit of a head-scratcher last time out, but I think their defense will lead them to an easy win. Take the Bulldogs.