The Jacksonville State Gamecocks and the Murray State Racers meet Thursday in college basketball action from CFSB Center. 

Jacksonville State enters this one at 8-5 so far. The Gamecocks are 1-3 in their last four games and coming off a loss to Belmont. As for Murray State, they’re sitting at 5-6 this year. The Racers snapped a four-game losing streak with a win over TN-Martin in their last game. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place. 

Jacksonville State began their year at 3-2 with losses to Alabama and FIU. After that came a four-game win streak over Tennessee Tech, Carver and TN-Martin, then losses to Eastern Kentucky and Morehead State. Since then the Gamecocks have beaten Tennessee State and lost to Belmont. 

In Saturday’s 98-91 loss to the Bruins, Jacksonville State’s Martin Roub led the team with 21 points in 20 minutes, and Amanze Ngumezi put up 20 points with four rebounds and one assist in 19 minutes. Dairan Adams nearly tripled up on 18 points, 10 assists and nine boards as well. 

Over on the Murray State side, they began their year at 3-2 as well with losses to Middle Tennessee and Southern Illinois. Since then the Racers have beaten Transylvania, lost to Austin Peay, Belmont, Morehead State and Eastern Illinois, then beat TN-Martin on Saturday. 

In the 79-57 win over the Skyhawks, Murray State’s KJ Williams posted 17 points with nine rebounds, and Tevin Bitemn put up 13 points with six assists and five rebounds. Dionte Bostick nearly doubled up on 11 points, nine assists and two rebounds in 21 minutes on the floor. 

Murray State is 1-4-1 ATS in their last six Thursday games and 12-3 ATS in their last 15 home games. The Racers are 1-5 ATS in their last six games overall and the under is 18-6-2 in their last 26 overall. 

Meanwhile, the Gamecocks are 2-7-1 ATS in their last 10 road games and 3-12-1 ATS in their last 16 Thursday games. Jacksonville State is 0-5 ATS in their last five overall and the under is 6-2 in their last eight road games. 

PICK: I’m going to stick with Jacksonville State. The Gamecocks put up a nice effort against a good Bruins team in their last outing, and were even ahead 45-43 at halftime. Neither of these teams has been all that reliable when it comes to scoring this season, but both are capable of putting up some good points totals when the matchup is right. I think this one will be a rather high-scoring affair with the Gamecocks eking out a cover. Should be a good game.