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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