Northern Iowa vs. Murray State betting: College basketball preview for January 8

Data Skrive
Data Skrive

The Northern Iowa Panthers (9-6, 3-1 MVC) host the Murray State Racers (8-7, 2-2 MVC) after winning five straight home games. The Panthers are favored by 5.5 points in the matchup, which begins at 7:00 PM ET on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. The over/under is set at 138 for the matchup.

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Northern Iowa Cover -5.5 vs Murray State -108

Bet $20, Payout $38.52

Northern Iowa vs. Murray State betting lines

  • Northern Iowa moneyline odds to win: -245
  • Murray State moneyline odds to win: +196
  • Spread: Northern Iowa (-5.5)
  • Total: 138

Northern Iowa statistics, trends and more

As the home team

  • Against the spread last season, Northern Iowa performed better when playing at home, covering six times in 13 home games, and six times in 14 road games.
  • The Panthers eclipsed the total in four of 13 home games (30.8%) last season. They did better in road games, eclipsing the total in eight of 14 matchups (57.1%).
  • Northern Iowa won a higher percentage of its games as a moneyline favorite when playing at home last season, going 8-2 (.800). When playing on the road as a moneyline favorite, it had a record of 3-3 (.500).

Recent trends

  • On the offensive side of the ball, the Panthers have struggled over their last 10 games, scoring 76.5 points per contest over that stretch compared to the 77.5 they’ve racked up over the course of this year.
  • Northern Iowa’s defense has been more porous lately, as the team has given up 67.6 points per game during its last 10 compared to the 67.5 points per game its opponents are averaging on the season.
  • The Panthers are trending down from deep during their last 10 outings, making 7.0 threes per game and shooting 36.5% from long range in comparison to their season-long averages of 7.1 makes and 37.3% from distance in the 2024-25 season.

Northern Iowa betting records this season

  • ATS Record: 9-5-0 (Home: 7-1-0; Away: 2-1-0)
  • ATS Record When Favored by 5.5+: 7-0-0 (As Favorite: 8-2-0; As Underdog: 1-3-0)
  • O-U-P: 5-9-0 (Home: 3-5-0; Away: 2-1-0)
  • Record When Moneyline Favorite: 8-2 (Home: 7-1; Away: 1-1)
  • Record When Moneyline Underdog: 0-4 (Home: 0-0; Away: 0-1)
Field Goal % Opp. Field Goal % Rebounds Opp. Rebounds Assists Turnovers
51.6 (second in nation) 43.1 (183rd) 31.0 (284th) 28.7 (60th) 14.7 (133rd) 10.4 (72nd)

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Murray State statistics, trends and more

As the away team

  • Murray State’s winning percentage against the spread at home is .200 (1-4-0). On the road, it is .600 (3-2-0).
  • In 2024-25 a lower percentage of the Racers’ games have finished above the over/under at home (40%, two of five) than on the road (60%, three of five).

Recent trends

  • While the Racers are scoring 75.5 points per game in 2024-25, they have fallen short of that in their previous 10 games, amassing 70.9 points per contest.
  • Murray State has fared worse defensively in its previous 10 games, ceding 70.6 points per contest, 1.9 more points than its season average of 68.7.
  • In their previous 10 games, the Racers are making 7.1 three-pointers per game, 0.6 fewer threes than their season average (7.7). They also own a lower three-point percentage over their past 10 contests (34.1%) compared to their season average (36.5%).

Murray State betting records this season

  • ATS Record: 6-8-0 (Home: 1-4-0; Away: 3-2-0)
  • ATS Record When Underdog by 5.5+: 2-2-0 (As Favorite: 2-6-0; As Underdog: 4-2-0)
  • O-U-P: 7-6-1 (Home: 2-3-0; Away: 3-1-1)
  • Record When Moneyline Favorite: 4-4 (Home: 3-2; Away: 0-1)
  • Record When Moneyline Underdog: 3-3 (Home: 0-0; Away: 2-2)
Field Goal % Opp. Field Goal % Rebounds Opp. Rebounds Assists Turnovers
46.1 (127th in nation) 44.5 (254th) 29.3 (328th) 28.9 (64th) 12.0 (308th) 11.2 (151st)
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