Ohio Valley foes will clash when the SIUE Cougars (4-19) face the Murray State Racers (12-12) at Sam M. Vadalabene Center. The game gets underway at 8:00 pm ET on Thursday, Feb. 11.
The Cougars are hoping for a better outcome after their 79-62 loss to UT Martin in their last game. Jake Newton was the team’s leading scorer, putting up 15 points. The Racers are coming off a close 76-73 loss against Austin Peay in their last game. Jeffery Moss had a good shooting night, leading the team with 27 points.
Moss has been on fire over the last five games for the Racers, averaging 19.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.6 steals, and 4.2 three-pointers.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams, with the Racers winning the first matchup 70-54. Moss was a standout player in the game, producing 15 points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal, and three three-pointers.
The Cougars come into this game 4-19 Straight Up (SU) and 11-10 Against The Spread (ATS). SIUE’s defense has put it all together in the past 10 games. Its average points allowed per game dropped to 67.3 during that span, compared to its 74.7 season average.
On the other side, Murray State has a SU record of 12-12 and an ATS record of 9-11-1. Offensively, the Racers have really sputtered in the last 10 games. Their season average has fallen to 70.2 points per game after averaging only 63.3 during that stretch. The Murray State defense as a whole has been firing on all cylinders so far, ranking 50th in Division I with only 69.8 points allowed per road game.
Murray State won the last meeting this season between these two teams, moving its SU record against SIUE to 8-2 in their most recent head-to-head meetings. The Cougars hold the advantage ATS with a record of 6-2. SIUE held the edge in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers once in the last five games, while Murray State wasn’t able to do so in that span.
Predictions: SU Winner – Murray, ATS Winner – Murray
Notes
SIUE scores an average of just 65.4 points per game (ranked 239th). Murray State ranks 80th in points allowed, giving up 68.2 points per game.
In its last game, Murray State lost by a margin of three points. SIUE is 2-3 in games decided by a margin of three points or less. Murray State also has a 2-3 record in close games.
The Murray State Racers average a field goal percentage of 44.1% this season. The SIUE Cougars have a subpar record of 3-10 when opponents have a FG% of 44.1% or greater.
On average, SIUE attempts 17.0 three pointers and Murray State attempts 20.0. In games where they have 20 or more three point attempts, both have losing records. The SIUE Cougars are 1-7 while the Murray State Racers are 2-11.
On average, Murray State makes 6.2 steals per game. SIUE is a poor 3-5 when it allows at least 6 steals.
