Who’s playing
Murray State Runners @ Drake Bulldogs
Current records: Murray State 7-7, Drake 12-1
How to watch
- When: Sunday, January 5, 2025 at 3 p.m. ET
- Or: Knapp Center – Des Moines, Iowa
- TV: ESPN2
- Follow: CBS Sports app
- Online broadcast: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
- Ticket cost: $15.00
What you need to know
Drake is 5-0 against Murray State since November 2019, and they will have a chance to extend that success on Sunday. The two will face off in a Missouri Valley battle at 3 p.m. ET at the Knapp Center. The Bulldogs will look to keep their 23-game home winning streak dating back to last season alive.
Drake likely heads into the game with a chip on his shoulder considering UIC just ended the team’s 12-game winning streak on Wednesday. They opened the new year with a 74-70 loss to the Flames. The Bulldogs failed to live up to their potential and fell short of the advantage oddsmakers thought they had heading into the game.
Drake might have lost, but man, Bennett Stirtz was a machine: he had a double-double with 30 points and 12 assists. With this strong performance, Stirtz now averages an impressive 20.4 points per game. Another player who made the difference was Cam Manyawu, who had a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds.
Meanwhile, Murray State opened the new year with a less than successful 74-68 loss to Illinois State. This defeat unfortunately continues a disappointing trend for the Racers in their clashes against the Redbirds: they have now lost three in a row.
Murray State’s loss should not overshadow the performances of Kylen Milton, who had 18 points and eight rebounds, and JaCobi Wood, who scored 21 points. Milton’s performance made up for a slower game against Loyola Chi. last Wednesday.
After losing for the first time this season, Drake falls to 12-1. As for Murray State, their loss dropped their record to 7-7.
Looking ahead, Drake is the favorite in this one, as experts expect to see them win by 9.5 points. They might be worth a quick bet since they’ve covered the spread the last five times they’ve faced Murray State.
Drake won against Murray State in the teams’ last game in February 2024 by a conclusive 95-72. In that game, Drake took a 48-29 lead into halftime, an impressive feat they will look to repeat on Sunday.
Odds
Drake is a 9.5-point favorite against Murray State, according to the latest college basketball odds.
Oddsmakers had a good idea of ​​the line for this one, as the game opened with the Bulldogs as 8.5-point favorites.
The over/under is 127 points.
See college basketball picks for every game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get Picks Now.
History of the series
Drake has won every game they have played against Murray State over the last 6 years.
- February 18, 2024 – Drake 95 vs. Murray State 72
- March 3, 2023 – Drake 74 vs. Murray State 62
- February 7, 2023 – Drake 92 vs. Murray State 68
- January 7, 2023 – Drake 82 vs. Murray State 64
- November 27, 2019 – Drake 63 vs. Murray State 53
