Illinois State vs Murray State Picks and Prediction – 1/3/2025

The Illinois State Redbirds will be on the road again Thursday night with a game in Kentucky against Murray State. Illinois State has eight wins and five losses on the year coming into Thursday following a six point loss in their last outing to end a lengthy winning streak. Offensively the Redbirds have scored the ball well this season averaging 79.1 points on 48% shooting the floor but scored just 67 last time out. Defensively Illinois State has held their own allowing 72.3 points per game through 13 games played this year. For other college basketball news see our College Basketball Picks.

Chase Walker leads Illinois State this season averaging 14.6 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Johnny Kinzinger averages13.8 points and Ty Pence chips in a fourth best 9.5 points per game. Dalton Banks averages 10.9 points and leads Illinois State dishing out 4.3 assists per game.

The Murray State Racers stay home Thursday one game above .500 on the year following the three-point victory in their last outing to end a lengthy losing streak. Offensively the Racers have scored the ball well enough averaging 76.8 points on 45.9% for the floor. Defensively Murray State has been even better holding opponents to 69 one point per game overall and give up only 68 in their most recent victory.

JaCobi Wood leads the Murray State offense this season averaging a team high13.6 points and 5.3 assists per game. Kylen Milton is second on the team averaging 12.6 points and Terence Harcum chips in a fourth best 12 points per game.  AJ Ferguson is averaging 12.5 points and leads Murray State this year pulling in 5.5 rebounds per game. KyeRon Lindsay has been vital for Murray State this season as well averaging 8.4 points per game and leads the team averaging 1.5 blocks per contest.

Both teams have had similar season coming into Thursday as each will look for the win to kick off the year. Look for Illinois State to use their offense to keep things close. Murray State should do enough at home to get the win but the Redbirds will score enough down the stretch to cover the number. Final Score Prediction, Murray State wins but the Illinois State Redbirds cover 75-71.