Drake Bulldogs (25-7) vs. Bradley Braves (25-8)
March 5, 2023 2:00 pm EDT
The Line: Bradley Braves +1 / Drake Bulldogs -1 ; Over/Under: 132
(Get latest betting odds)
The Drake Bulldogs and the Bradley Braves meet Sunday in Missouri Valley Tournament college basketball action from Enterprise Center. The Bulldogs enter this one at 26-7 overall following a win over Southern Illinois in tournament activity on Saturday. As for Bradley, they’re 25-8 so far after taking out Indiana State in a close win during their tourney matchup. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Drake Bulldogs
Drake hit an 18-6 run over their first 24 games of the year, then finished off the regular season with wins over Valparaiso, Murray State, Southern Illinois, Northern Iowa, Belmont and Illinois State before a loss to Bradley. The Bulldogs beat Murray State in MVC Tournament action on Friday.
Matched up against Southern Illinois on Saturday, the Bulldogs jumped out to a 39-23 edge by halftime. Drake scored another 26 points in the second during a 65-52 victory. Roman Penn put up 16 points and Darnell Brodie added 10 points with 17 rebounds.
Bradley Braves
Over on the Bradley side, they were 16-8 at the 24-game mark this season. The Braves finished off the year on a seven-game win streak. In the Missouri Valley Tournament game against Northern Iowa on Friday, the Braves beat Northern Iowa 72-66.
In the tournament game versus Indiana State on Saturday, the Braves held a 35-34 advantage going into the second half. Bradley kept the pace with 36 points from there and won 71-70 in a thriller. Ja’Shon Henry led the way on 17 points and seven boards.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ll probably stick with Bradley here. You could make a case either way, though; this will be a great matchup. The Braves had a real scare versus Indiana State on Saturday but they were able to press through. Bradley has now won 12 straight and they’re generally scoring well. These teams last met in a 73-61 Bradley win on February 26, and also in an 86-61 Drake victory on January 14 at Knapp Center. This third meeting should be another coin flip, but I expect it to be a closer finish as well. Should be a fun one to watch regardless.
