MOREHEAD AT SEMO
This is a much different SEMO team than you saw even 3 weeks ago. The 12 day lay off (due to Covid) couldn't have come at a better time. During that time head coach Brad Korn ask every player to look into the mirror and make a commitment to make defense a priority going forward. The light bulb has seemed to click in their heads as since that time they have had two blowout wins. 85-63 at home against Tenn. St. who they had just given up 95 points to 12 days before and a 29 point road win at E. Illinois. I know EIU is really bad but a 29 point road conference win against anyone is impressive. On the other side of the ball SEMO is one of the best offensive teams in the conference. Here is their national ranking in some offensive categories. FG% #177, 3FG% #126, 3FG attempted #49, 3FG/GM #55, Scoring Off #85, FT ATTPS #39, FT% #87. SEMO is 2-0 in conference home games and riding a 6 game home winning streak.
Make no mistake this is a very good Morehead team. They are 15-5, 6-0 in conference and riding a 9 game winning streak. Most of Moreheads conference wins have come at home with only 2 road wins. 66-55 at Austin Peay and 71-64 at Tenn. St. That just so happens to be the 2 teams SEMO has played at home with a 98-79 win over Austin Peay and a 85-63 win over Tenn. St.
Morehead plays at a very slow pace #305 in tempo while SEMO is one of the fastest teams in the country playing at a #18 tempo. I have every confidence that SEMO will speed them up and one of SEMO's strength's is turning t/o's into points. SEMO also has a big edge at the FT line where they rank #87 in the nation while Morehead ranks #310. My one big concern is once again SEMO will be without 2 of their top 4 centers. But they've both been out for awhile now. This is a huge game for SEMO. The top 4 teams get a bye in the first round of the OVC tournament and SEMO currently sits in 4th. With a win here it will be theirs to lose. This game is also on national tv (ESPN-U). This is also a big look ahead spot for Morehead as they travel to Murray St. on Saturday. At almost 2-1 I think it is worthwhile to put something on the SEMO ML also.
4* #820 SEMO +6 -110
2* #819 MOREHEAD/ #820 SEMO O147 -110
1* #820 SEMO ML +190