It will be a battle between MVC opponents when the Missouri State Bears (17-11, 7-8 MVC) welcome the Drake Bulldogs (15-13, 9-6 MVC) to JQH Arena. The game is scheduled to get underway at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 18, 2018.
Missouri State opened as a 7-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 140.5 points.
Drake Bulldogs vs. Missouri State Bears Free Prediction
In the Bulldogs’ last game, they topped the Indiana State Sycamores, 90-76. The Bulldogs made 17 of their 21 free throws (81.0 percent) and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 28.6 (above their season average of 23.1). With 39 points on 11-for-19 shooting, Reed Timmer was the game’s high scorer.
The Bears lost a close one to the Southern Illinois Salukis in their last outing, 81-80. Southern Illinois’ 7.3 turnover percentage was their biggest strength over Missouri State, who had a mark of 20.1. The Salukis’ mark was better than their season average of 17.0, while the Bears’ was above their season average of 15.2. With 15 points, 16 rebounds and five assists, Missouri State’s Alize Johnson had a solid performance.
Missouri State could have difficulty getting to the charity stripe in this contest. The Bears rank 322nd in the NCAA with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.193, while Drake ranks 17th in FTA rate allowed (0.177).
Drake holds records of 15-13 straight up (SU) and 15-9-1 against the spread (ATS). Vegas tends to place the total low when the Bulldogs are involved, as 15 of their 25 games have gone over the total.
Missouri State has a respectable 17-11 SU record, but they are just 11-14 ATS. Contrary to Drake, games featuring the Bears tend to finish under the total (60.0 percent).
Nick McGlynn has averaged 14.0 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks over the last five games for Drake.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. Timmer scored a game-high 24 points in the first game, in which the Bulldogs beat the Bears 61-58, covering as 1.5-point underdogs. The game finished with a total of 119 points, which was 19.5 points below the projected point total of 138.5 points. Drake did an excellent job of converting from the charity stripe (18-21; 85.7 percent). Missouri State, meanwhile, had a better turnover percentage (10.2 vs. 12.9).
Drake Bulldogs vs. Missouri State Bears ATS Pick
Free College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Missouri State, ATS Winner – Drake, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Drake is 8-7-1 ATS with 9 overs and 7 unders.
Missouri State is 4-6 ATS at home with 7 unders and 3 overs.
Missouri State ranks 26th in rebounds per game (39.1) while Drake ranks 237th (33.3).
The Bears rank 31st in assists allowed per game (11.2) while the Bulldogs rank 224th (15.3).
Missouri State averages 4.2 blocks per game, which ranks 56th in the NCAA. Drake ranks 98th in blocks allowed per game (3.3).
The Bears average 21.3 three pointers per game, which ranks 178th in the nation. The Bulldogs rank 203rd in three pointers allowed per game (23.2).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Drake is 3-2 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
Missouri State is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Bulldogs’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 1.0, up from 0.9 for the season.
During their last five games, the Bears have scored an average of 73.6 points per game (3.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 74.2 points per game (8.8 above their season average).
