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Missouri Valley play continues Saturday in Springfield as Missouri State hosts Jacksonville State at Great Southern Bank Arena. Tip is scheduled for the afternoon of January 31, with the Bears opening as 4.5-point home favorites. No total is posted here, but we know what to expect — physicality, slow tempo, and tight margins.
Missouri State (13–9, 6–5 MVC) is a tough out at home, covering in four of their last five conference home games. Jacksonville State (10–11, 4–6 MVC) is still finding its footing in league play after a rocky non-conference slate. These are two defense-first squads, so this one may come down to rebounding and shot selection in the halfcourt.
Market’s telling you this is closer than records suggest — and the matchup data backs that up.
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Jacksonville State Gamecocks vs Missouri State Bears Odds
Here are the current odds. Make sure to monitor the latest college basketball odds for updates prior to tip.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State Gamecocks | N/A | +4.5 (-116) | N/A |
| Missouri State Bears | N/A | -4.5 (-109) | N/A |
Jacksonville State Gamecocks Betting Form
Jacksonville State plays slow, physical basketball — and when they keep the game in the 60s, they’re dangerous. Offensively, they lean on isolation and post touches, but they’ve been inconsistent finishing inside. Their three-point shooting is limited, and they don’t get many easy transition buckets.
On defense, they’re solid. They limit second chances and contest well at the rim, which helps them stay in most games. But foul trouble has been a recurring issue, especially for their forwards. That’s a concern against Missouri State’s size and pace control.
Check the Jacksonville State Gamecocks injury report for updates on their frontcourt. For trends and performance insights, see the Jacksonville State Gamecocks stats and results.
Missouri State Bears Betting Form
Missouri State is a defensive-minded team with a methodical offensive approach. They rank near the bottom nationally in tempo, but they get good looks in the paint and shoot FTs well. Their rebounding — particularly on the defensive glass — is a consistent edge at home.
They’ve won with depth lately, mixing in bench production and finding timely shooting in the second half. Missouri State also tends to cover small spreads when they control tempo and win the turnover battle, which could be key here.
Monitor the Missouri State Bears injury report before placing action. For updated stats and schedule strength, visit the Missouri State Bears schedule and stats.
Jacksonville State Gamecocks vs Missouri State Bears Matchup Breakdown
This matchup favors whichever team executes more efficiently in the halfcourt. Neither team plays fast, so expect long possessions and a lot of physical contact inside. That makes free throws and rebounding the swing stats.
Shot profile leans to Missouri State — they get better looks inside and hit a higher FT rate. Jacksonville State needs to keep it low-scoring and limit turnovers, but that’s harder to do on the road in a slower-paced game.
Key angles:
- Pace: Both slow — game likely in the 60s
- FT edge: Missouri State gets to the line more and converts
- Turnovers: Edge to Missouri State in ball control
- Home-court: Bears are 4–1 ATS in last five home conference games
Margins are tight, but the spot and style favor the home side.
Jacksonville State Gamecocks vs Missouri State Bears Predictions and Best Bets
There’s not a ton of daylight here, but I lean Missouri State -4.5. They’re better equipped to win in this type of game — physical, slow, and possession-based. At home, they’ve been consistent closing out late. Unless Jacksonville State has a hot shooting stretch (rare), the Bears should wear them down.
The total isn’t posted, but expect it in the low 130s. If that’s the case, early lean would be Under. Neither team shoots enough threes or plays fast enough to push pace.
Best Bet: Missouri State Bears -4.5 (-109).
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