This is a 10* MISSOURI VALLEY TOW on the OVER Illinois State/Murray State.

These teams have been involved in several lower-scoring games of late, but everything finally points to much more of a wide-open affair here in my opinion.

I like betting on motivated teams when I bet "overs." Illinois State is 10-11, including 2-5 on the road, while Murray State is 8-13, including 5-6 at home.

These are two teams in need of a win here.

The Redbirds have seen the total go UNDER in six straight now after their most recent 58-54 loss at Evansville, but note that Illinois State has in fact seen the total eclipse the posted number in seven of its last ten after a SU/ATS conference road loss as a favorite in which it was held to 55 or fewer points in.

Murray State has seen the total go UNDER in seven straight games after its most recent 60-58 loss to Southern Illinois as a 3.5-point favorite. But note that the Racers have seen the total go OVER the number in four of their last five off a SU/ATS home loss as a favorite.

With both teams pushing the pace like I anticipate, everything points to this total flying OVER the number sooner, rather than later.

Good luck, NP