Murray State at Auburn College Basketball Picks & Predictions 12/22/2018

Saturday, December 22, 2018

Auburn Arena

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Murray State Racers travel to Auburn Arena to play the Auburn Tigers on Saturday, December 22, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Auburn as 14 point favorites.

Murray State comes into this game with an overall record of 8-1. They currently have a point differential of 19.9 as they are averaging 77.2 points per game while giving up 57.3 per contest. Auburn has an overall record of 9-2. They are averaging 83.5 points per game and surrendering 63.7, good for a point differential of 19.8.

Valuable Murray State Racers Betting Trends

The Murray State Racers are 6-2-0 against the spread

The Murray State Racers are 3-5-0 against the over/under

Important Auburn Tigers Betting Trends

The Auburn Tigers are 5-4-1 against the spread

The Auburn Tigers are 5-5-0 against the over/under

Key Murray State Racers Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Auburn Tigers Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Leroy Buchanan averages 12.2 points per game in 30.6 minutes per contest. He averages 2.0 assists per contest and 4.6 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 42% for the year while his free throw percentage is 86%. Ja Morant comes into this contest averaging 22.8 points per game while playing 35.0 minutes per night. He pulls down 6.9 rebounds per game and dishes out 9.6 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 39% while his free throw percentage is at 78%.

Player Spotlight

Bryce Brown averages 15.5 points per game and he sees the court an average of 31.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 2.6 rebounds per contest and 2.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is 75%. Jared Harper averages 15.7 points per game while playing 33.8 minutes per contest. He grabs 3.3 rebounds per game and has 6.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 39% and his free throw percentage is at 92%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Racers allow 57.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 5th in Division 1. They also allow a 36% shooting percentage and a 22% average from behind the arc, ranking them 3rd and 1st in those defensive categories. Opponents average 33.9 rebounds a game which ranks 126th, and they give up 7.9 assists per contest which puts them in 1st place in the NCAA. They force 16.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 310th in the nation. Murray State averages 77.2 points per contest this season, which ranks them 114th in the country. Their average scoring margin is 19.9 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team, which has them ranked 64th. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 197th in D-1. They average 37.7 rebounds per game and 17.4 assists per contest, which ranks them 124th and 25th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 198th with 13.2 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Tigers surrender 63.7 points per contest, which ranks them 38th in the NCAA. Their defense allows a 41% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 78th and 249th in those defensive statistics. They rank 48th with 10.8 assists allowed per contest, and 111th with 33.6 rebounds surrendered per game. The Tigers are 349th in Division 1 in forcing turnovers with 20.1 per game. Auburn is 30th in the country with 83.5 points per game this year. They are 158th in the D-1 in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 19.8. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 179th in the nation. They are 52nd in the country in rebounding with 39.8 boards per game and 47th in assists per contest with 16.2. The Tigers are 175th in turnovers per game with 13.5.

Advanced Statistics

The Racers are 72nd in the nation in offensive rating with 111.2. In terms of pace they are 243rd in the country with 69.5 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 55% is 77th. As a team they are 69th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 40% of their shots, ranking 153rd in Division 1. Murray State is 171st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.5 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Auburn is 251st in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.2 times per 100 possessions. The Tigers have an offensive rating of 115.3, which is ranked 26th. They are 183rd in D-1 in pace with 70.8 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 114th. As a unit they are 140th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 46% of their shot attempts, ranking 31st in the country.

Who will win tonight's Murray State/Auburn college basketball game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Auburn -14

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