Murray State vs. Memphis Odds & Picks: Betting Value on the Racers (December 11)

Murray State vs. Memphis Odds

Friday, Dec. 10

8 p.m. ET

ESPN+

Murray State Odds
Spread	Total	Moneyline
+10 -110	142.5 -115o / -105u	+450

Memphis Odds
Spread	Total	Moneyline
-10 -110	142.5 -115o / -105u	-630

Odds via DraftKings. Get up-to-the-minute college basketball odds here.

After losing three games in a row, Memphis hosts Murray State at the FedEx Forum.

The same issues that have been the Achilles heel to the Tigers in year's past have came up again this year. Their offense has struggled to produce consistently, even with Jalen Duren, Emoni Bates and DeAndre Williams.

Meanwhile, the Racers are 5-3 and led by junior Tevin Brown. They've also won four games in a row.

Where does the value lie in this clash? And will Memphis get back on track with a victory and cover?

Murray State Racers

Murray State is consistently one of the best mid-majors in the country, and this year is no exception. Under head coach Matt McMahon, the Racers have won 23+ games in a single season three times and have reached two NCAA Tournaments.

After an uncharacteristically poor COVID season, Murray is back at the top of its game, off to a 7-1 start and 4-2 against the spread.

True to their name, the Racers have been dynamite on the run this season. Per Synergy, Murray State is the second-best team in the country at scoring in transition, putting up a ridiculous 1.313 points per possession to date.

Against Memphis, a team that grades out in just the 27th percentile in stopping transition scoring (Synergy) and ranks nearly 200th in preventing transition chances (Hoop-Math), Murray should have plenty of opportunities to flex its muscles in the open floor.

In the halfcourt, the Racers play through KJ Williams, a versatile forward who can spot-up from distance or play through the post. While Memphis has a bevy of athletes to throw at Williams, the 6-foot-10 senior should be able to hold his own on both ends of the floor.

Brown is Murray’s best scorer and is enjoying one of the most efficient seasons in the country. His poise and experience will be key going against a young Tiger team.

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Memphis Tigers

This team is in disarray. Here are some of the quotes head coach Penny Hardaway has spewed over the last week or so:

“We’ve got so much negativity in our locker room with veterans being jealous.”

“It’s been miserable.”

“There’s a group of people on this team that if I played them, I really feel in my heart we could be undefeated or only have one loss.”

That is pure comedy. It’s as if Penny is speaking like he isn’t the head coach of the team and responsible for recruiting, mentoring and developing these players.

So, with that said, why on Earth would you want to back Memphis tonight?

The only thing you can hold onto is the knowledge that Memphis boasts one of the most talented and most athletic rosters on paper. Theoretically, the Tigers are capable of beating any team. In practice, that has been far from the truth.

Memphis hasn’t covered in three straight games, losing all three outright as a favorite. The Tigers are immense on defense, but as is always the case under Hardaway, have struggled offensively.

The Tigers rank 351st in the country in turnover rate. Murray State is 25th in forcing turnovers. Expect turnovers galore for the Tigers gong against a feisty Racer perimeter.

Also, despite all its talent and athleticism, Memphis is one of the worst defensive rebounding teams in the nation. Murray ranks 18th in offensive rebounding percentage. That’s bad news.

Murray State vs. Memphis Betting Pick

Take Murray with the points. Fade a Memphis team that is clearly struggling with chemistry issues.

Anything over Murray State +10 would be preferable, but it's possible the Racers can keep this within one or two possessions.

Pick: Murray State +10.5