Illinois State vs. Murray State betting: College basketball preview for Feb. 18

Data Skrive
Data Skrive

The Illinois State Redbirds (17-10, 9-7 MVC) host the Murray State Racers (19-9, 11-6 MVC) in a matchup of MVC teams at CEFCU Arena, tipping off at 9 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. The Redbirds are 2.5-point favorites in the game. The matchup has an over/under of 158.5.

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Illinois State Cover -2.5 vs Murray State -105

Bet $20, Payout $39.05

Illinois State vs. Murray State betting lines

  • Illinois State moneyline odds to win: -141
  • Murray State moneyline odds to win: +116
  • Spread: Illinois State (-2.5)
  • Total: 158.5

Illinois State statistics, trends and more

As the home team

  • Against the spread, Illinois State has fared better when playing at home, covering eight times in 12 home games, and three times in 10 road games.
  • In terms of over/unders, the Redbirds hit the over more often when playing at home, as they’ve eclipsed the total five times in 12 opportunities this season (41.7%). On the road, they have hit the over four times in 10 opportunities (40%).
  • As a moneyline favorite, Illinois State has won a higher percentage of its games at home (.833) compared to away games (.400).

Recent trends

  • The Redbirds’ offense has been less productive over their last 10 games, scoring 73.3 points a contest compared to the 76.4 they’ve averaged this year.
  • The last 10 games have seen Illinois State give up 3.9 more points per game (72.0) than its season-long average (68.1).
  • Over their last 10 outings, the Redbirds are making 0.2 more three-pointers per game than their season long average (8.8 compared to 8.6 season-long), while shooting a lower percentage from deep in that span (34.9% compared to 35.0% season-long).

Illinois State betting records this season

  • ATS Record: 14-12-0 (Home: 8-4-0; Away: 3-7-0)
  • ATS Record When Favored by 2.5+: 11-8-0 (As Favorite: 11-8-0; As Underdog: 3-4-0)
  • O-U-P: 11-15-0 (Home: 5-7-0; Away: 4-6-0)
  • Record When Moneyline Favorite: 14-5 (Home: 10-2; Away: 2-3)
  • Record When Moneyline Underdog: 2-5 (Home: 0-0; Away: 2-3)
Field Goal % Opp. Field Goal % Rebounds Opp. Rebounds Assists Turnovers
46.9 (82nd in nation) 42.7 (98th) 34.0 (84th) 29.6 (93rd) 13.7 (195th) 10.6 (133rd)

Need to know more about sports betting before you put down a wager on Illinois State vs. Murray State? Here’s everything you need to know about how to bet.

Murray State statistics, trends and more

As the away team

  • This year, Murray State is 8-6-0 at home against the spread (.571 winning percentage). On the road, it is 3-6-0 ATS (.333).
  • In terms of the over/under, Racers games have finished over five of 14 times at home (35.7%), and six of nine away (66.7%).
  • The Racers’ winning percentage at home as moneyline underdogs is .000, both at home (0-1) and away (0-2).

Recent trends

  • The Racers are posting 77.8 points per game in their last 10 games, which is 6.5 fewer points than their average for the season (84.3).
  • Murray State is giving up 83.9 points per contest over its past 10 games, compared to its season average of 79.5 points allowed.
  • Over their previous 10 games, the Racers are sinking 7.8 threes per contest, 1.7 fewer threes than their season average (9.5). They also have a lower three-point percentage over their previous 10 contests (29.9%) compared to their season average (34.8%).

Murray State betting records this season

  • ATS Record: 14-14-0 (Home: 8-6-0; Away: 3-6-0)
  • ATS Record When Underdog by 2.5+: 2-3-0 (As Favorite: 12-10-0; As Underdog: 2-4-0)
  • O-U-P: 15-13-0 (Home: 5-9-0; Away: 6-3-0)
  • Record When Moneyline Favorite: 16-5 (Home: 10-2; Away: 5-2)
  • Record When Moneyline Underdog: 2-4 (Home: 0-1; Away: 0-2)
Field Goal % Opp. Field Goal % Rebounds Opp. Rebounds Assists Turnovers
46.8 (90th in nation) 46.6 (304th) 34.5 (63rd) 31.3 (198th) 13.8 (187th) 11.8 (253rd)
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