Just six unbeaten teams remain on the college basketball front, and while we don't expect to see sports books hanging prop odds soon on any of them completing perfect seasons, one of the half-dozen does stand out as having the best chance to do so.
The Murray State Racers will look to extend their fast start Wednesday night when they open Ohio Valley Conference play against the Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks. Tip-off from CSFB Center in Murray, KY is 8:00 p.m. (ET), with the Racers favored by 22½ on their home floor.
Murray State (12-0 straight up, 5-2-1 against the spread) is one of two mid-majors in this week's AP Poll, sitting 22nd and just ahead of Creighton who many think is the class of the 'little guys' this campaign. Steve Prohm's club is trying to erase a tough ending to last season when the Racers were the best of the OVC only to fall in an upset to Tennessee Tech in the semifinals of the season-ending tourney. That loss sent Prohm & Company to the NIT instead of the NCAA Tournament, and earning a berth in the big dance remains the team's primary goal this season.
At least two of the other five unbeaten squads – Baylor, Indiana, Louisville, Missouri and Syracuse – are guaranteed to fall when head-to-head matchups come about on their upcoming conference schedules. Murray State, however, is so far ahead of the rest of the Ohio Valley Conference and has a very real shot for a perfect 16-0 run through OVC action.
The Racers have a very experienced group with 10 juniors and seniors filling out the bulk of the roster. Leading the charge is junior guard Isaiah Canaan with a 19.3 scoring average while hitting over 50 percent from the floor, and 48 percent from long range. Las Vegas native Donte Poole is another 3-point threat and presently third on the team with 12.9 PPG.
There very well could be a banana peel ahead for the Racers, but it won't come against Tennessee-Martin (3-10 SU, 3-5 ATS). The Skyhawks rank in the bottom third of the country in most offensive stats and will need some unprecedented shooting tonight to just stay within this big spread.
Illinois, Missouri Matchup Tops Crowded Thursday Card
Thursday's college basketball betting card boasts 96 games with 18 ranked schools hitting the floor. One of those 96 games features a pair of top 25 schools with No. 9 Missouri taking on No. 25 Illinois at St. Louis' Scottrade Center. ESPN2 will carry the contest starting at 9:00 p.m. (ET).
Missouri (11-0 SU, 5-1 ATS) merits a look for future odds players with the Tigers currently in the 25/1 to 30/1 range at various shops. Frank Haith's Tigers are absolutely tearing it up on the offensive end of the court, second in the nation in scoring (87.9 PPG) and shooting (53.6 FG%). Some of those numbers are due to a relatively easy schedule outside of taking on Cal and 'Nova, and the Fighting Illini should provide the toughest defense Mizzou has yet to face.
Illinois (11-1 SU, 4-6 ATS) ranks in the nation's top 30 allowing just 57.4 points an outing and feature a well-balanced group of scorers themselves. The Illini will have their hands full trying to stop the Tigers' guard duo of Marcus Denmon and Kim English. How well Mizzou handles Illinois' big 7-footer, Meyers Leonard, will go a long way to determining the game's outcome.
Missouri, who will be seeking its first-ever 12-0 start to a season, has one more interconference battle at Old Dominion (Dec. 30) before diving into Big 12 play. Illinois will begin its Big Ten slate next Tuesday (Dec. 27) vs. Minnesota.
ESPN2 leads into the Missouri-Illinois contest with another marquee tilt at 7:00 p.m. (ET) between No. 16 Georgetown and Memphis. This is a rematch of a thriller at the Maui Invitational nearly a month ago, a game the Hoyas (9-1 SU, 5-0 ATS) pulled off in overtime, 91-88, as 2-point favorites. Georgetown wasn't ranked then, but all four losses by the Tigers (6-4 SU, 3-4 ATS) have come to schools that are presently ranked in one poll or the other.
Baylor & UNLV Face Tests On Friday
Five more ranked crews will be in action Friday just before college hoops takes a three-day break, and the two toughest battles will occur on separate courts in Las Vegas.
No. 6 Baylor (10-0 SU, 3-0 ATS) is taking part in the Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic at Orleans Arena, and will follow up a Thursday battle against the Saint Mary's Gaels with a Friday clash against the West Virginia Mountaineers. The Bears and Gaels will be meeting in a rematch from the 2010 Sweet 16 when Baylor coasted to a 72-49 victory. Friday's meeting with WVU (9:00 p.m. ET, ESPN) will be the first-ever between schools that will become conference foes next season.
Meanwhile, over at Thomas & Mack Center, No. 21 UNLV (12-2 SU, 6-6 ATS) hooks up with California (10-2 SU, 6-6 ATS) in what should be a great matchup between squads expected to be at the top of their conference tables come next March.