The Belmont Bruins (26-4, 17-2 OVC) will be in the Ohio Valley Conference Tourney at Ford Center when they meet the Murray State Racers (26-4, 17-2 OVC). The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 9, 2019, and will air on ESPN2.
Murray State Racers vs. Belmont Bruins ATS Odds
Both teams were victorious in their last game. The Bruins beat the Austin Peay Governors 83-67, while the Racers won a close one over the Jacksonville State Gamecocks 76-74.
The Racers made 17 of their 24 free throws (70.8 percent) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.557 vs. 0.507). Meanwhile, Belmont dominated nearly every stat category in their game. They had a fantastic offensive rebounding percentage of 40.6 (above their season average of 25.7) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.587 (above their season average of 0.586). For those same stats, Austin Peay was 25.0 and 0.461, respectively. Dylan Windler had a good game for Belmont, putting up 32 points and 21 rebounds. Ja Morant, meanwhile fueled Murray State with 29 points, eight assists and six rebounds.
The Racers’ Darnell Cowart has been playing well over his last five games, averaging 15 points,8.4 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Grayson Murphy has averaged 9 assists,8.4 points,1.2 steals during that same time frame for the Bruins.
The game should be a matchup of strength against strength as the high-octane offense of Belmont takes on the top-notch defense of Murray State. The Bruins rank fourth in offensive efficiency, while the Racers are 34th in defensive efficiency.
Murray State vs. Belmont ATS Pick
College Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – Belmont, ATS Winner – Belmont, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Belmont ranks 17th in three pointers attempted per game (27.9) while Murray State ranks 140th (22.7).
- The Racers average 18.2 assists per game, which ranks fifth in the nation. The Bruins rank 82nd in assists allowed per game (12.1).
- Murray State averages 7.7 steals per game, which ranks 34th in the country. Belmont ranks 107th in steals allowed per game (6.2).
- The Racers rank 21st in blocks per game (4.6) while the Bruins rank 134th in blocks allowed per game (3.6).
- Belmont ranks 24th in rebounds per game (39.1) while Murray State ranks 114th in rebounds allowed per game (34.2).
Bettings Trends:
- The Racers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 15.6, down from 15.6 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Bruins have scored an average of 95.0 points per game (6.8 above their season average) and allowed an average of 66.6 points per game (7.2 below their season average).
