Drake vs Missouri Betting Preview: #6 Tigers Favored Over Red-Hot Bulldogs in Round 1
The 6th-seeded Missouri Tigers (22-11) face the Drake Bulldogs (30-3) in Round 1 of the NCAA Tournament as 6.5-point favorites. The game tips off Thursday at 7:35pm ET from INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, KS.
Basketball player soars for dunk
Public betting heavily favors Drake to cover, with 70% of bets and 61% of money on the Bulldogs. The total sits at 132.5 points, with 92% of action on the over.
Missouri enters struggling, losing 5 of their last 7 games including a 95-81 loss to Florida in the SEC Tournament. Leading scorer Mark Mitchell (knee) is expected to play but may be limited.
Drake brings momentum with 7 straight wins and the nation's top scoring defense (58.4 PPG). They've won 18 of their last 19 games, most recently defeating Bradley 63-48 in the MVC Tournament final.
Key Statistics:
- Missouri: 84.5 PPG (9th in NCAA), allows 73.8 PPG
- Drake: 70.8 PPG, allows 58.4 PPG (1st in NCAA)
- Drake is 17-14-0 ATS this season
- Missouri is 18-15-0 ATS this season
Notable Player Props:
- Bennett Stirtz (Drake): Over/Under 17.5 points
- Mark Mitchell (Missouri): Over/Under 13.5 points
Analysis: Drake's elite defense matches up well against Missouri's high-scoring offense. While Missouri has more talent, their recent defensive struggles (91+ points allowed in 4 of last 5 losses) make them vulnerable to an upset. Drake's methodical style and defensive prowess should keep this game close.
Prediction: Drake +6.5 (-112)
The Bulldogs' defensive excellence and current winning streak make them a strong upset candidate, even if Missouri ultimately advances.