Murray State at Marquette NCAA Basketball Picks & Predictions 3/21/2019

Thursday, March 21, 2019

XL Center

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Murray State Racers travel to XL Center to play the Marquette Golden Eagles on Thursday, March 21, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Marquette as 4.5 point favorites.

Murray State comes into this game with an overall record of 25-4. They currently have a point differential of 15.5 as they are averaging 83.3 points per game while giving up 67.8 per contest. Marquette has an overall mark of 23-8. They are averaging 77.7 points per contest and giving up 69.1, which is a point differential of 8.6.

Valuable Murray State Racers Betting Trends

The Murray State Racers are 19-10-0 against the spread

The Murray State Racers are 16-11-0 against the over/under

Important Marquette Golden Eagles Betting Trends

The Marquette Golden Eagles are 19-13-1 against the spread

The Marquette Golden Eagles are 13-18-0 against the over/under

Key Murray State Racers Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Marquette Golden Eagles Injuries

11/09/18 G Greg Elliott Thumb is out for season

Player Spotlight

Ja Morant comes into this contest averaging 24.6 points per game while playing 36.5 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 5.5 rebounds per game and dishes out 10.0 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 81%. Leroy Buchanan averages 13.0 points per game in 33.1 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.8 assists per contest and 4.2 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 47% for the year while his free throw percentage is 71%.

Player Spotlight

Markus Howard averages 25.0 points per game while playing 33.5 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 4.0 rebounds per game and has 4.0 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 89%. Sam Hauser averages 14.9 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 33.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 7.1 rebounds per contest and 2.5 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 92%.

Useful Team Statistics

Murray State averages 83.3 points per contest this season, which ranks them 11th in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 15.5 and their shooting percentage is 50% as a team, which has them ranked 9th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 156th in the nation. They average 37.8 rebounds per game and 18.1 assists per game, which ranks them 57th and 5th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 255th with 12.1 per game. The Racers allow 67.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 76th in the country. They also allow a 41% shooting percentage and a 28% average from behind the arc, ranking them 44th and 4th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 34.1 rebounds a game which ranks 127th and they give up 11.2 assists per contest, which puts them in 43rd place in Division 1. They force 14.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 267th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Marquette is 58th in the country with 77.7 points per game this year. They are 82nd in Division 1 in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 8.6. They shoot 39% from 3-point range, which is good for 10th in the nation. They are 54th in the NCAA in rebounding with 37.8 boards per game, and 155th in assists per contest with 13.6. The Golden Eagles are 96th in turnovers per game with 13.8. The Golden Eagles surrender 69.1 points per contest, which ranks them 119th in D-1. Their defense allows a 40% shooting percentage and a 32% average from 3-point range, ranking them 24th and 54th in those defensive statistics. They rank 84th with 12.0 assists allowed per contest and 100th with 33.5 rebounds surrendered per game. The Golden Eagles are 71st in country in forcing turnovers with 11.8 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Racers are 8th in the nation in offensive rating with 116.1. In terms of pace they are 66th in the country with 71.7 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 56% is 16th. As a team they are 15th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 59% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shots, ranking 219th in Division 1. Murray State is 285th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.7 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Marquette is 100th in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17 times per 100 possessions. The Golden Eagles are 65th in the country in offensive rating with 108.9. In terms of pace they are 104th in Division 1 with 70.6 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 47th. As a team they are 29th in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 42% of their shots, ranking 95th in the nation.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Marquette -4.5

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