Southern Illinois vs Murray State Picks and Prediction – 2/20/2025

On Wednesday, the Southern Illinois Salukis (12-15) face off against the Murray State Racers (13-14) at the CFSB Center in Murray, Kentucky. Get ready for the college basketball season with our college basketball picks.

Murray State comes into this matchup on a two-game winning streak, but has dropped three of their last five games. In their 63-53 victory over UIC, the Racers benefited from the efforts of Terence Harcum, who contributed 13 points to the win. This season, JaCobi Wood has been a standout player for Murray State, topping the team's scoring list with an average of 13.4 points per game. AJ Ferguson has also made significant contributions, holding the position of the team's second-highest scorer with an average of 11.7 points per game. Beyond scoring, Ferguson is a key player on the boards, as he leads the Racers in rebounding with an average of 5.6 rebounds per game. JaCobi Wood is not only a proficient scorer but also excels in playmaking, leading the team with an average of 4.8 assists per game. In their recent performances, Murray State has shown strong defensive capabilities, restricting their opponents to an average of 63.8 points over the last five games. The Racers aim to maintain their momentum by securing their third consecutive win and achieving their eighth victory in conference play this season. On average, the team scores 72 points per game, reflecting their offensive prowess.

Southern Illinois enters this game on a two-game losing streak and has dropped three of their last five games. In a closely contested match against Belmont, which ended in a 73-68 defeat for the Salukis, Ali Dibba stood out by scoring 24 points. Dibba has been a standout performer for Southern Illinois this season, consistently leading the team in scoring with an average of 17 points per game. Following Dibba's impressive performance, Kennard Davis Jr. holds the position of the team's second-highest scorer, maintaining an average of 15.3 points per game. On the defensive side, Jarrett Hensley plays a crucial role, leading the team in rebounds with an average of 5.6 per game. When it comes to facilitating plays, Sheridan Sharp is key, as he averages 2.7 assists per game, the highest on the team. Over their past five matchups, Southern Illinois has struggled defensively, allowing opponents to score an average of 70.4 points per game. As they prepare to face Murray, the Salukis are eager to break a two-game losing streak and avoid suffering their tenth conference loss of the season. Throughout the season, Southern Illinois has managed to average 72.7 points per game, showcasing their offensive capabilities despite recent challenges.

This season has been challenging for both Southern Illinois and Murray State, as each team has faced difficulties on the court and is eager to regain stability. Murray State has managed to claim victory in six of their eleven home games, showcasing some level of competence at home. In contrast, Southern Illinois has struggled while away, losing six out of their eleven road games. Both teams enter this matchup with identical conference records, intensifying their desire to outperform one another and gain a competitive edge. Final Score Prediction, Murray State Racers win and cover, 73-71.