Morehead State Eagles betting odds line spread pick predictions best bets

March Madness: Morehead State vs. Illinois odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Thursday’s Morehead State vs. Illinois odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Illinois Fighting Illini (26-8) battle the Morehead State Eagles (26-8) in the 1st round of the East Region Thursday from CHI Health Center Omaha. Tip is set for 3:10 p.m. ET (truTV). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Morehead State vs. Illinois odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.

Illinois is No. 10 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll. It won the Big Ten Tournament, defeating the No. 24 Wisconsin Badgers 93-87 in the championship game and covering as a 4-point favorite. The Fighting Illini covered in 2 of the 3 tournament games and ended the regular season 17-12-2 against the spread (ATS). They have covered in 7 of their last 11 games. Illinois is the No. 3 seed in the East Region.

Morehead State comes in as the 14th seed in the region and have won 6 straight games. It won the Ohio Valley Conference, beating the Little Rock Trojans 69-55 in the final and covering as a 4.5-point favorite. The Eagles ended the tournament 2-1 ATS and ended the regular season 16-10-1 ATS. During the regular season, Morehead State was led in scoring by Riley Minix at 20.5 points per game.

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Morehead State vs. Illinois odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 2:23 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Morehead State +575 (bet $100 to win $575) | Illinois -850 (bet $850 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Morehead State +11.5 (-102) | Illinois -11.5 (-120)
Over/Under (O/U): 147.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

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Morehead State vs. Illinois picks and predictions

Prediction

Illinois 82, Morehead State 67

Moneyline

PASS.

Illinois has one of the best offenses in the NCAA (84.4 PPG), and it should be able put it on Morehead State Thursday. However, at -850, avoid a moneyline play on the favorite.

Against the spread

BET ILLINOIS -11.5 (-120).

The Fighting Illini have been rolling, beating the Badgers by 6 in the Big Ten Championship and the Nebraska Cornhuskers by 11 in the game prior. They have won 7 of their last 8 games and have covered in 5 of them. Morehead State is one of the worst teams in the tournament, outside the top 100 in both adjusted offensive and defensive rating per Kenpom.

While Illinois’ defense is lacking, it ranks 3rd in offensive rating and will be tough to keep pace with. The Eagles have played 2 quality, high-seeded teams this season and lost to Purdue by 30 points and to Alabama by 32, failing to cover in both.

Expect another blowout here and take ILLINOIS -11.5 (-120).

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Over/Under

LEAN OVER 147.5 (-105).

Morehead State isn’t great at either offense or defense, but Illinois is a poor defensive team which is of note. It sits 93rd in adjusted defensive rating and has allowed at least 87 points in 2 straight games. It has allowed at least 74 in 9 of its last 10.

Morehead State has gone Over in 5 of its last 8 while Illinois has gone Over in 3 straight and in 12 of its last 14. Considering those trends, take OVER 147.5 (-105).

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OVC Tournament: Morehead State vs. Little Rock odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s Morehead State vs. Little Rock odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Morehead State Eagles (25-8) and Little Rock Trojans (21-11) meet Saturday at the Ford Center in Evansville, Ind. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (ESPN2/ESPN+). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Morehead State vs. Little Rock odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.

The 3-seed Eagles held off Tennessee-Martin in the OVC semifinals Friday, winning 84-78, while the Skyhawks covered as 8-point underdogs. The Over (148) cashed, and has hit in each of the 2 tournament games for Morehead State.

The 1-seed Trojans spanked Western Illinois 82-57 as a 5.5-point favorite in the semis after receiving the bye for the quarterfinals. Little Rock has been hot, posting 10 consecutive wins, while covering 10 of the past 11 outings dating back to Feb. 1. That includes a 69-68 win over Morehead State Feb. 15 as a 1.5-point underdog as the Under (141) cashed.

While the Over is 3-1 in the past 4 games for Little Rock, the Under is still 10-3 across the past 13 outings. The Under is 8-7 in the past 15 games for Morehead State, too.

– Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.

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Morehead State vs. Little Rock odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:20 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Morehead State -172 (bet $172 to win $100) | Little Rock +142 (bet $100 to win $142)
Against the spread: Morehead State -3.5 (-110) | Little Rock +3.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 137.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Morehead State vs. Little Rock picks and predictions

Prediction

Little Rock 67, Morehead State 65

Moneyline

LITTLE ROCK (+142) is the play in this title game in Evansville against Morehead State (-172). It hasn’t been easy this season for the Trojans, who started out with 4 losses in the first 5 games. Little Rock was also just .500, at 11-11, as of Feb. 1. However, after slowing down the offense, taking a little pressure off of the defense, the Trojans turned their season around, snatching the 1-seed in the OVC.

The Trojans pushed past the Eagles in a super tight game in the only meeting of the regular season Feb. 16, and we’ll have another close shave for the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Trojans have just been playing better lately. The Trojans shouldn’t be ignored in the title game, as they look to go dancing for the first time since 2016 when Little Rock upset Purdue in 2 OT in a 5-12 game before bowing out to Iowa State.

Against the spread

MOREHEAD STATE +3.5 (-110) is the lean catching the points as the slight underdog.

While Little Rock has been red-hot, cashing in 10 of the past 11 games, we are likely going to have a super close game. Bank on the Eagles with the points, with the Trojans grabbing the win.

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Over/Under

UNDER 137.5 (-110) is worth playing in this title game.

The Under is 10-3 across the past 13 games for Little Rock, including the only meeting with Morehead State Feb. 15.

The total has ended up going high in the 2 OVC tourney games for the Eagles, but the Under is still 10-7 in the past 17 games. Lean low, but be careful.

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OVC Championship: Morehead State vs. Murray State odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Saturday’s Morehead State vs. Murray State OVC Championship odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Morehead State Eagles (23-10, 13-5 Ohio Valley) face the No. 22 Murray State Racers (29-2, 18-0) Saturday at Ford Center in Evansville, Ind. for the Ohio Valley Conference championship game. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Below, we look at the Morehead State vs. Murray State odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

The Eagles ousted Belmont 53-51 in a mild upset Saturday to get into position for a shot at the OVC’s automatic berth. Morehead State lost both regular-season games against Murray State, but the Eagles played the Racers tough in a 57-53 loss in Morehead Feb. 12.

The Racers could still be in line for an at-large NCAA Tournament bid should they falter Saturday. Murray State enters on a 19-game win streak since a loss at then-No. 12 Auburn Dec. 22.

Rankings courtesy of the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.

Morehead State vs. Murray State odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:23 a.m. ET.

Money line: Morehead State +270 (bet $100 to win $270) | Murray State -360 (bet $360 to win $100)
Against the spread: Morehead State +7.5 (-110) | Murray State -7.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 129.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)

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Morehead State vs. Murray State odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Murray State 76, Morehead State 65

Money line

Murray State (-360) swept the regular-season series, including an 11-point win at home Jan. 29 and a 57-53 road win Feb. 12. Still, you can’t lay this much for such a small return.

PASS, and look to the spread.

Against the spread

MURRAY STATE -7.5 (-110) covered both of the regular-season meetings. The Racers just missed the cover by a half-point Saturday in their 88-74 win over SE Missouri State. The Racers have covered five of the past seven games in this series, and Murray State will bounce Morehead State in this one and secure the automatic bid.

Over/Under

The OVER 129.5 (-115) is the way to go here.

While the Under has cashed in the past two games for Morehead State, the Over went 3-0 in its final three games of the regular season while splitting 1-1 in two games with Murray State. The Over cashed for the Racers in the semifinals against SE Missouri State, and will hit again in this one, as the Racers flex a little muscle.

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Morehead State at West Virginia NCAA Tournament First Round Odds, Picks and Prediction

The 14th-seeded Morehead State Eagles (23-7) hit the court in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament against the No. 3 seed West Virginia Mountaineers (18-9) on Friday

The 14th-seeded Morehead State Eagles (23-7) hit the court in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament against the No. 3 seed West Virginia Mountaineers (18-9) on Friday at Lucas Oil Stadium. The contest tips off at 9:50 PM ET on TRU. Morehead State is a heavy, 13-point underdog in the game. Here’s what you need to know before filling out your brackets for this 3-14 matchup in the Midwest Region.

The Mountaineers were led by 19 points from Taz Sherman in their 72-69 loss to Oklahoma State on Thursday. They failed to cover the spread in the contest and the teams combined to go under the 150-point over/under.

Johni Broome led the way for the Eagles with a team-high 27 points last time out as they picked up a 86-71 win over Belmont and covered the 6.5-point spread as underdogs. The teams combined to go over the 135.5 point total set for the matchup.

Morehead State at West Virginia: Betting odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list.
Lines last updated at 6:25 AM ET on March 19, 2021.

Money line: Morehead State +650 (bet $100 to win $650) | West Virginia -1100 (bet $1100 to win $100)
Against the spread/ATS: Morehead State +13 (-110) | West Virginia -13 (-110)
Over/Under: 137.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

West Virginia: Three things to know

Miles McBride leads the Mountaineers in points and assists. He averages 15.4 points per game while adding 4.7 assists. Sean McNeil averages 2.3 made threes per game to pace the team.
The 77.3 points per game the Mountaineers average are 13.9 more points than the Eagles allow (63.4).
West Virginia has a 17-9 record overall and a 13-0-1 record against the spread when scoring more than 63.4 points.

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Morehead State: Three things to know

Broome leads the Eagles in scoring (13.9 points per game) and rebounding (9.0 rebounds per game). Skyelar Potter paces the squad with a team-high 2.0 made three-pointers per game.
The Eagles score an average of 68.8 points per game, only 3.3 fewer points than the 72.1 the Mountaineers give up to opponents.
Morehead State has put together a 10-0 ATS record and a 14-0 overall record in games where it scores more than 72.1 points.

Morehead State at West Virginia: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

West Virginia 76, Morehead State 64

Money line

The West Virginia Mountaineers are the favorites to win this game according to both the model and BetMGM.

Against the spread (ATS)

The spread for this matchup suggested by the model (12.2 points) is slightly less than the 13-point edge MGM gives to the Mountaineers, though the data still has them as the favorite.

Over/Under (O/U)

The MGM point total for this game is just 3.3 points lower than the model projection.

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March Madness: West Virginia vs. Morehead State odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Friday’s West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Morehead State Eagles odds and lines, with March Madness Round 1 picks and predictions.

The 3-seed West Virginia Mountaineers (18-9) take on the 14-seed Morehead State Eagles (23-7) at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis Friday for a 9:50 p.m. ET tip-off. Below, we analyze the West Virginia-Morehead State odds and lines, with March Madness NCAA Tournament picks and predictions.

The Mountaineers stumble into the NCAA Tournament with three losses in the past four games, including a 72-69 loss as 3-point favorites to Oklahoma State in their first game of the Big 12 Tournament. The Mountaineers have also failed to cover in four in a row after a 5-1 ATS run. West Virginia went 7-9 ATS in 16 games against regular-season opponents who qualified for the NCAA Tournament.

The Eagles soared past Belmont in the Ohio Valley Conference title game, and enter the NCAA Tournament on a seven-game win streak. Morehead State has covered four of the past five games overall, and it’s 3-1 ATS on a neutral court this season. This is a team which hasn’t matched up with the big boys very well, losing by 36 to Kentucky in November, by 33 to Ohio State Dec. 2 and by 15 to Clemson Dec. 21. Morehead State plays lockdown defense, allowing just 63.4 PPG to rank 32nd in the nation, and it allows foes to hit just 40.4% from the field, including 30.2% behind the 3-point are.

West Virginia vs. Morehead State: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:56 a.m. ET.

Money line: West Virginia -1100 (bet $1,100 to win $100) | Morehead State +650 (bet $100 to win $650)
Against the spread/ATS: West Virginia -13 (-110) | Morehead State +13 (-110)
Over/Under: 137.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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West Virginia vs. Morehead State: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

West Virginia 69, Morehead State 60

Money line (ML)

West Virginia (-1100) will cost 11 times your potential return. While that’s not a good long-term betting strategy, it’s especially dangerous during NCAA Tournament time when we see monumental upsets. Morehead State was on the good side of one of those big upsets, upending 4-seed Louisville 62-61 back in 2011 behind former Denver Nuggets big man Kenneth Faried.

PASS.

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Against the spread (ATS)

MOREHEAD STATE +13 (-110) has the defense to give West Virginia fits, although the Eagles might not have the juice to go all the way and pull the upset. They play a very deliberate style on offense, going for just 68.6 PPG, they’re not a good 3-point shooting team and they struggle from the free-throw line. But the defense is good, and they should match up well against the struggling Mountaineers.

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 137.5 (-110) is the lean here based on Morehead State’s shutdown defense, and its struggles on offense. West Virginia will test that defense, as it averages 77.6 PPG, but it hits just 42.8% from the field. That kind of shooting won’t get it done against a sturdy Eagles D.

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