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Racers vs Flames Picks and Predictions – Thursday January 1, 2026
Murray State heads to Chicago on Thursday night for a Missouri Valley conference matchup with UIC at Credit Union 1 Arena. Tip is set for 9:00 PM ET on ESPN+. The Racers are 11-3 and they’ve been one of the more reliable mid-major offenses so far, which is why the market has them laying points on the road.
UIC is 5-8 and still trying to stabilize on both ends, but the Flames are not a complete fade at home (3-3). This number comes down to pace and shot-making: Murray State wants to score in bunches, and UIC’s best chance is to keep the game from turning into a track meet and make the favorite grind through half-court possessions.
Murray State Racers vs UIC Flames Odds
These are the current lines, and bettors should keep monitoring updated college basketball odds leading into tip.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murray State Racers | -265 | -5.5 (-110) | 161.5 |
| UIC Flames | +203 | +5.5 (-110) | 161.5 |
Murray State Racers Betting Form
Murray State’s calling card is offense, and it’s not empty scoring. They just beat Southern Illinois 84-81 while shooting 50.9% from the field, and that kind of efficiency is the reason they’re averaging 88.9 points per game. When the Racers are getting clean looks early and still executing late, you’re constantly sweating a run that flips both the spread and the total.
The volume from deep matters too. Murray State is knocking down 10.6 threes per game, which creates a spacing edge even when the opponent tries to slow pace. It also makes them dangerous as a road favorite because one stretch of made threes can break a home crowd and create separation quickly. If they’re not turning the ball over and they’re getting decent looks on most trips, laying -5.5 is reasonable.
For trends and game logs, check Murray State stats and results.
UIC Flames Betting Form
UIC is coming off a blowout win over Illinois Tech, but you have to separate the feel-good result from what it means against a conference favorite. The Flames can score, and they do have enough pieces to make Murray State uncomfortable if they can keep possessions under control and force the Racers into longer half-court reps.
The hidden angle for UIC is free throws. They’re hitting 76.8% at the line, which matters if they can hang around into the final four minutes. That’s how dogs cover in this range: you get stops, you make your free throws, and you avoid the empty trips that turn +5.5 into a double-digit gap.
For a closer look at home splits and recent form, use UIC schedule and stats.
Murray State Racers vs UIC Flames Matchup Breakdown
This is mostly a pace and shot profile matchup. Murray State wants to push, get early threes, and force UIC to defend multiple actions per possession. If the Racers are getting into their rhythm sets without resistance, the spread is in danger for the home dog because the scoreboard moves too fast.
UIC’s best chance is to drag this into a more controlled game. That means limiting transition, taking care of the ball, and making Murray State defend deep into the clock. If UIC can turn this into a half-court game, Murray State’s margin for error shrinks because you’re removing some of the “quick points” that create separation on the road.
The total is a real decision point. 161.5 is asking for an up-tempo script, and Murray State can get you there on its own if the shots are falling. But if UIC successfully slows the game and Murray State is forced into longer possessions, you can end up with a game that still feels high scoring but finishes in the low 150s.
Murray State Racers vs UIC Flames Predictions and Best Bets
My lean is Murray State -5.5. They’re the more consistent offense, they’re shooting well, and they have multiple ways to score. If UIC cannot dictate tempo, the Racers’ three-point volume becomes the separator, and that’s usually enough to cover a number in this range.
On the total, I lean under 161.5. It’s not because Murray State can’t score, it’s because the most logical UIC game plan is to slow it down and make this possession-by-possession. If the Flames keep the pace in check and force Murray State into more half-court execution, 161.5 can be a touch too high unless both teams are extremely efficient.
Best Bet: Murray State -5.5 (-110)
NCAAB Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you’re playing multiple games on the board, start with the college basketball picks page to compare leans and see where the market is lining up, then jump through the college basketball previews hub for quick matchup reads.
For fast navigation across schedules and team pages, use the college basketball teams hub. If you follow handicappers, the best handicappers page is a clean starting point, and the leaderboard helps you validate who’s actually performing right now. If you prefer packaged plays, browse options on buy picks. To keep fundamentals sharp, the expert betting guide is useful, and the ScoresAndStats blog pairs well with handicappers sites reviews and sportsbook reviews when you’re comparing approaches and books.
