| MATCHUP | Murray State Racers | Southern Illinois Salukis |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 17-7 | 10-13 |
| Spread | -1.5 -110 | +1.5 -110 |
| Moneyline | -122 | +102 |
| Total | Over 157.5 (-112) | Under 157.5 (-108) |
| Where | Banterra Center, Carbondale, IL | |
| When | Friday, February 6, 2026 | |
| Time | 08:00 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
The Murray State Racers and the Southern Illinois Salukis meet Friday in college basketball action from the Banterra Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Murray State Racers vs. Southern Illinois Salukis prediction.
Murray State Racers Recap
The Murray State Racers come into this game looking to add on to their 81-74 win over UIC last time out to sit at 17-7 this season. After this game, Murray State will head home for a game against Northern Iowa.
Racers Snap Four-Game Slide
Javon Jackson leads the Racers in scoring with 16.6 PPG along with 2.8 APG while Fred King has 13.5 PPG with 8.9 RPG to lead the Racers in rebounding. Roman Domon has 13.6 PPG with 5 RPG to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for Murray State up to this point in the year. Mason Miller has 6.7 PPG with 3.9 RPG and JJ Traynor also has 8.3 PPG with 4 RPG and Brayden Shorter has 6.7 PPG while Layne Taylor has 8.7 PPG with 2.9 RPG and a team-high 3.8 APG to lead the Racers in assists up to this point in the year. As a team, Murray State is averaging 86.1 PPG on 47% shooting from the field, 34.9% from three and 76.6% from the foul line this season.
Southern Illinois Salukis Recap
The Southern Illinois Salukis come into this game looking to add on to their 54-50 win over Illinois State last time out to sit at 10-13 this season. After this game, Southern Illinois will head on the road for a game against Indiana State.
Salukis Alternate Wins & Losses In 4 Straight
Quel’Ron House leads Southern Illinois in scoring with 13.9 PPG along with 3 RPG and 3 APG as the lone double-digit scorer for Southern Illinois so far this season. Rolyns Aligbe has 9.8 PPG with a team-high 7 RPG to lead the Salukis in rebounding and Drew Steffe has 9.4 PPG with 3 RPG and 2.7 APG. Damien Mayo Jr. also has 9 PPG with 3 RPG and 2.5 APG and Jalen Haynes has 8.3 PPG wth 2.3 RPG and 2.2 APG. Prince Aligbe has 7.6 PPG with 5.3 RPG As a team, Southern Illinois is averaging 73.7 PPG on 46% shooting from the field, 28.4% from three and 66.3% from the foul line so far this season.
Murray State Racers @ Southern Illinois Salukis Betting Trends: February 6, 2026
Why the Southern Illinois Salukis will win
- Southern Illinois has won each of its last nine Friday games at Banterra Center.
- Murray State has lost four of its last five games.
- Southern Illinois has won the first half in nine of its last 10 games against Conference opponents at Banterra Center.
Why the Murray State Racers will win
- Southern Illinois has lost eight of its last 10 night games.
- Murray State has won each of its last three games against Southern Illinois.
- Murray State has won the first half in four of its last five games against Southern Illinois.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Southern Illinois’ last nine games have produced a total of 149 or fewer points.
- Each of Murray State’s last five games at Banterra Center have produced a total of 140 or fewer points.
Matchup/League Facts
- Southern Illinois ranks 362nd among Division 1 teams for three-point field goals made per game this season (4.8).
- Southern Illinois ranks 31st among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point percentage this season (29.9%).
- Murray State ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point field goal attempts per game this season (15.9).
- Murray State ranks 10th among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point field goals made per game this season (5.7).
Murray State Racers vs. Southern Illinois Salukis Prediction
I’m on the Murray State in this one. I get the case to be made for Southern Illinois as this line looks funky, but Southern Illinois is coming off of a pretty big win over Illinois State and I’m not jumping onto the Salukis after one victory. Murray State for me is still one of the better teams in the MVC, and I just think this line is somewhat disrespectful to what the Racers have done up to this point in the year. Give me Murray State.