West Virginia is matched up against an upset-seeking and sexy Cinderella pick Murray State, but can the Mountaineers hike their way up to the second round? Or will the Racers score a huge upset? Register here to wager with your pick.
Betting Preview for the Murray State Racers vs. West Virginia Mountaineers College Basketball Game on March 16, 2018
Where: Viejas Arena, San Diego, CA
When: Friday, March 16, 4:00 PM ET
Line: Murray State Racers (n/a) vs. West Virginia Mountaineers (n/a) – view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: Turner Network Television
Betting on the Murray State Racers
Say what you want to say about the Racers and their quality of schedule, but this team is not used to losing. Since Jan. 11, Murray State has gone 14-1, thanks to its combination of efficient offense and sturdy defense. The Racers are putting up 77.4 points with a 55.2 effective field goal percentage. Led by senior guard and reigning Ohio Valley Conference Player of The Year Jonathan Starks (21.8 PPG, 3.9 APG), the Racers manage to find plenty of ways to score. They shoot 54.5 percent from inside the arc, makes over 66 percent of their shots at the rim, and hits 8.4 threes on 37.4 shooting percentage. On defense, the Racers allow just 66.0 points per game. Murray State played just two Top 50 RPI teams in the four points. These team can hang with anyone.
Betting on the West Virginia Mountaineers (24-10)
It’s no secret what West Virginia brings to the table. The Mountaineers like to stifle opponents with their frenetic defense, one that allows just 69.0 points per game and forces opponents to rack up 16.5 turnovers. Baylor was probably traumatized by its experience of facing West Virginia in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Tournament in which the Bears had 22 turnovers and shot just 42.0 percent from the floor. The Mountaineers definitely know that stopping Starks would cripple Murray State’s offense, so expect Jevon Carter and company to pester the Racers’ leader nonstop this Friday. As for their offense, the Mountaineers shoots just 43.4 percent from the field, but Carter can be a dependable go-to-guy for the team when other options have all been shut down. Carter paces the team with 17.0 points per game and is a pesky on-ball defender who also averages 2.9 steals – tops in the Big 12.
Writer’s Prediction
Murray State pulls off an upset, beats WVU, 76-72.
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