The Austin Peay Governors (17-12, 12-5 OVC) and Murray State Racers (23-5, 15-2 OVC) will clash at Winfield Dunn Center to bring the regular season to a close. The games Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 147 points with Murray State opening as a 6-point favorite. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 24, 2018.
Murray State Racers at Austin Peay Governors Free Preview
The last time the Racers played, they beat the Eastern Illinois Panthers, 76-66. Terrell Miller Jr. led Murray State in scoring with 20 points on 6-for-16 shooting. Murray State played a nearly perfect game. They had a free throw rate of 0.224 (matching their season average) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.543 (below their season average of 0.565). Eastern Illinois put up marks of 0.148 and 0.467, respectively, for those same stats.
The Governors come in on a high note after beating the SIUE Cougars in their last game, 86-82. Zach Glotta was a key piece for Austin Peay with 19 points. Austin Peay played a nearly flawless game. They had a turnover percentage of 14.8 (better than their season average of 17.7) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.635 (above their season average of 0.503). For those same stats, SIUE recorded marks of 18.5 and 0.554, respectively.
Austin Peay might have difficulty putting up points as they battle against one of the NCAA’s best defenses. Murray State currently ranks 39th in defensive efficiency, while the Governors rank 179th in offensive efficiency.
Of Murray State’s 25 games that accepted bets, 13 have finished over the O/U total, while 14 of Austin Peay’s 25 games have finished over the projected point total. The Racers hold a significant advantage in both straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records. They are 23-5 SU and 14-11 ATS, while the Governors are 17-12 SU and 13-12 ATS.
These teams have already met once this season. In that game, the two teams combined to put up 147 points, hitting the projected point total. The Racers won 84-63, covering as 13-point favorites. Murray State’s 0.676 effective field goal percentage was its largest strength over Austin Peay, who had a rate of 0.490. Despite the loss, Glotta had a standout performance in the game, putting up 17 points.
Murray State Racers at Austin Peay Governors Free Prediction
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Murray State, ATS Winner – Murray State, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Racers are 26th in the nation with 31.3 rebounds allowed per game while the Governors are 49th with 32.3 rebounds allowed per game.
- Murray State averages 6.8 steals per game, which ranks 84th in the nation. Austin Peay ranks 93rd in steals allowed per game (6.0).
- Murray State is 7-5 ATS on the road, while Austin Peay is 6-5 ATS at home.
- Of the Racers 12 road games, they have 7 unders and 5 overs.
- The Governors have 6 overs and 5 unders in 11 home games.
- Murray State ranks 135th in three pointers attempted per game (22.4) while Austin Peay ranks 286th (16.9).
- The Racers rank sixth in assists allowed per game (9.8) while the Governors rank 56th (11.9).
- Murray State averages 3.3 blocks per game, which ranks 119th in the NCAA. Austin Peay ranks 146th in blocks allowed per game (3.9).
Betting Trends:
- Austin Peay is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs, 1 under and 1 push in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Murray State is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders, 1 over and 1 push.
- The Governors have been outscored by an average of 2.6 points in their last five games. For the season, Austin Peay has defeated opponents by an average of 2.4 points.
- During their last five games, the Racers have scored an average of 75.6 points per game (4.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 64.0 points per game (2.2 below their season average).
