Drake Bulldogs vs
Missouri St. BearsPredictions & Preview

Drake Bulldogs Look to Extend Road Win Streak Against Struggling Missouri State Bears

In their upcoming game at the Great Southern Bank Arena on Saturday afternoon, Drake (17-2, 7-2 MVC) will be looking to secure their third consecutive road win as they take on Missouri State (7-13, 0-9 MVC). The Bulldogs recently defeated Valparaiso 81-71, while the Bears suffered a 79-68 loss to Northern Iowa. With Drake opening as the betting favorite at -8 and the current line at Drake -8.5, it will be interesting to see which team comes out on top in this matchup.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Bulldogs -398 | Bears +295
• Spread: Bulldogs -8.5 (-110) | Bears +8.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 119.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Drake will win straight-up is 80%.

Drake vs Missouri St. Stats

Drake Bulldogs

The Bulldogs are currently on a five-game winning streak and are second in the MVC standings, one game behind Bradley. They average 71.5 points per game and had a strong offensive performance in their last game, with Bennett Stirtz leading the team with 24 points and nine assists. Defensively, they give up an average of 57.8 points per game but allowed 71 points in their last game. With a power ranking of 30, Drake is ranked 269 in offense and #2 in defense. They have a record of 17-2 this season and have been solid on both ends of the court. Offensively, they have good shooting percentages but struggle with offensive rebounds. Defensively, they have strong three-point defense but allow a high percentage of free throws. Overall, the Bulldogs will need to improve their defensive performance to secure a win in their upcoming game.

Missouri St. Bears Analysis

The Missouri State Bears have been struggling this season, currently on an eight-game losing streak and looking to pick up their first conference win. They average 70 points per game on offense but have been giving up 72.8 points per game on defense. In their last game, they scored 68 points with Zaxton King leading the team with 17 points. Their shooting percentages are decent, with a 53.2% field goal percentage and a 50% three-point percentage. However, their defensive stats are lacking, as they allow 47.49% field goals and 36.05% three-pointers. To improve their chances of winning, the Bears will need to tighten up their defense in their upcoming game.

Drake Dominates with Five Straight Wins, Bears Struggle with Nine Consecutive Losses

Drake's recent performance, with five consecutive wins, suggests they have a competitive edge over the Bears, who have faced nine consecutive losses. Drake's impressive shooting percentage of over 53% in the last three games outshines the Bears' 43% shooting rate. Furthermore, Drake's success rate of over 70% at the free-throw line contrasts with the Bears' rate of less than 70%. Drake's proficiency in rebounding, particularly in offensive rebounds, provides them with more scoring opportunities. Additionally, their strong ball control limits turnovers and minimizes easy scoring chances for their opponents. In contrast, the Bears' defensive weaknesses are evident in their average of over 76 points allowed per home game. Thus, all factors considered, it is advisable to support Drake in covering the spread in this upcoming game.

Sources: [ 1 ] [ 2 ]