Murray State Racers vs UIC Flames Picks and Predictions for Thursday, January 1, 2026
Murray State visits UIC on Thursday night in a Missouri Valley Conference matchup. The Racers are 11-3 overall and unbeaten in conference play at 3-0. The Racers beat Southern Illinois 84-81 last time out, while the Flames are 5-8 overall and 0-2 in conference play. UIC beat Illinois Tech 102-64 in its most recent game. Find betting value in this matchup with our free college basketball picks.
Murray State vs UIC Game Information
- Date: Thursday, January 1
- Time: 9:00 PM ET
- Location: Credit Union 1 Arena, Chicago, IL
- TV: ESPN+
Murray State Racers Preview
Murray State scores 88.9 points per game while shooting 48% from the field. Javon Jackson leads the Racers with an average of 16.4 points per game, providing consistent scoring from the perimeter. Fred King anchors the interior with 7.9 rebounds per game and adds a strong presence around the basket. Layne Taylor directs the offense and leads the team with 4.1 assists per game, keeping Murray State balanced in half-court sets.
Defensively, Murray State allows 78.3 points per game and relies on size and positioning rather than pressure. The Racers limit second chances and do a solid job protecting the paint. Turnovers are kept under control, which allows the offense to maintain rhythm. Murray State has won five straight games and has shown the ability to protect leads down the stretch.
Key Stats Per Game
- Points: 88.9
- Points Allowed: 78.3
- Rebounds: 38.1
- Assists: 15.9
- Steals: 5.9
- Blocks: 3.7
- Turnovers: 12.4
UIC Flames Preview
UIC averages 77.8 points per game while shooting 44% from the field. Andy Johnson leads the Flames with an average of 13.6 points per game. Ahmad Henderson II adds 13.5 points per game and leads the team in assists, averaging 2.8 per game. Mekhi Lowery is the top rebounder with 5.8 boards per game and helps limit second chances.
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On defense, UIC allows 73.7 points per game but struggles to keep teams off the scoreboard when playing stronger offenses. The Flames average 8.6 steals per game, but turnovers on the offensive end often cancel out those extra possessions. UIC has dropped four of its last five games and has struggled to keep pace late against higher-scoring opponents.
Key Stats Per Game
- Points: 77.8
- Points Allowed: 73.7
- Rebounds: 36.1
- Assists: 14.3
- Steals: 8.6
- Blocks: 4.4
- Turnovers: 12.9
Murray State vs UIC Prediction
Murray State holds clear advantages in scoring, rebounding, and recent form. UIC struggles to slow down teams that score well and will have difficulty matching Murray State’s pace for a full game. The Racers will control the paint, limit mistakes, and pull away in the second half. Final Score Prediction: Murray State wins and covers ATS, 86-74. The best sportsbooks are the best way to go when you are betting on Murray State. Make sure you know about how the fans are looking on prediction markets for UIC with the Onyx Odds promo code. Getting the most out of your bets on UIC vs Murray State can be done by using the Fanatics Sportsbook promo code.
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