Murray State vs Southeast Missouri State 3/4/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The 4-seed Southeast Missouri State Redhawks & 1-seed Murray State Racers will square off at the Ford Center in the Semifinals of the OVC Championship.

The 4-seed Southeast Missouri State Redhawks improved 14-17 on the season after defeating the 5-seed Tennessee State Tigers, 79-55, this past Thursday. Southeast Missouri State was outstanding defensively against Tennessee State and had no trouble pulling away in the 2^nd half for the victory after taking a 50-30 lead with 14:56 left in regulation. Southeast Missouri State shot 42.6% from the field & 36.7% from beyond the arc while holding Tennessee State to 35.6% shooting from the field & 8.3% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Redhawks was Manny Patterson who had a double-double with 19 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, & 2 steals.

On the season, Southeast Missouri State is averaging 75.6 ppg on 43.8% shooting from the field. The Redhawks are averaging 8.8 three-pointers per game on 34.6% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Southeast Missouri State has been led by Eric Reed Jr. (16.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.0 spg), Phillip Russell (13.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 3.1 apg, 1.3 spg), Chris Harris (9.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.8 apg), & Manny Patterson (8.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg).

Defensively, Southeast Missouri State is allowing their opponents to average 76.9 ppg on 45.0% shooting from the field. The Redhawks have a rebound margin of -2.2 and a turnover margin of 0.2.

The Murray State Racers finished their regular season with an overall record of 28-2 and earned the top-seed in the OVC Championship after finishing conference play with a perfect 18-0 record. Murray State was great on both ends of the court and come into this game ranked 21^st in scoring offense, 22^nd in FG%, 19^th in scoring defense, & 42^nd in defensive FG%. Murray State went 10-2 in their non-conference schedule with solid wins over Middle Tennessee, Memphis, & Chattanooga. Murray State was lights out during OVC play this season with their more impressive win coming in a 76-43 victory vs. Belmont.

On the season, Murray State is averaging 79.3 ppg on 48.1% shooting from the field. The Racers are averaging 8.0 three-pointers per game on 34.9% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Murray State has been led by KJ Williams (18.2 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 1.5 spg), Tevin Brown (16.4 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.4 spg), Justice Hall (13.0 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 5.1 apg, 1.0 spg), & Trae Hannibal (9.0 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.2 spg).

Defensively, Murray State is holding their opponents to an average of 61.7 ppg on 40.7% shooting from the field. The Racers have a rebound margin of 7.7 and a turnover margin of 3.1.

The Redhawks are 5-0-1 ATS in their last 6 games & 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 games as an underdog. The Racers are 12-3-1 ATS in their last 16 games following a ATS loss, however, are just 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record.

Murray State defeated Southeast Missouri State in both of their regular season matchups as the Racers won by a 106-81 margin at home in late December, while also defeating the Redhawks by a 70-68 margin to close out their regular season this past Saturday.

Murray State is loaded with talent and has been great on both ends of the court, however, there is no doubt that the Racers haven’t been as dominant on the road this season which we recently saw in competitive victories at UT Martin & Southeast Missouri State. Southeast Missouri State certainly has some issues defensively, however, this is an offense that can put up some points and as I’ve been impressed with what I’ve seen from the Redhawks as of late, which included an impressive 92-84 win at Morehead State, I think the play here is to take Southeast Missouri State and the points. Good Luck!