Drake Bulldogs (11-2) vs Illinois State Redbirds (8-5)
2024-01-02 21:00:00 EDT
The Line: Betting Odds: Drake Bulldogs -12.5 -- Over/Under: 136
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The Illinois State Redbirds and the Drake Bulldogs meet in college basketball action from the Knapp Center on Tuesday night. Two 2-0 teams in MVC conference play, who remains unbeaten? Let’s dive in and find out with our Illinois State vs. Drake Prediction.
Illinois State Team Preview
The Illinois State Redbirds come into this one on the heels of a 96-70 loss at the hands of Kentucky in their last matchup. Darius Burford leads the Redbirds in scoring with 13.7 PPG while Dalton Banks has 10.9 PPG with 3.9 RPG and a team-high 3.9 APG to lead the Redbirds in assists. Myles Foster has 10.4 PPG with a team-high 7.5 RPG to lead the Redbirds on the glass while rounding out the double-digit scoring for Illinois State up to this point in the year. As a team, Illinois State is averaging 68.6 PPG on 41.4% shooting from the field, 28.1% from three and 69.3% from the foul line this season. Illinois will play against Southern Illinois after this one.
Drake Team Preview
The Drake Bulldogs come into this one looking to rebound from a 79-78 OT loss at the hands of UAB in their last matchup. Tucker DeVries leads Drake in scoring and rebounding with 19 PPG and 3.4 APG in addition to 6.7 RPG while Atin Wright has 14.7 PPG with 2.2 APG as well on the year. Kevin Overton has 13.5 PPG with 3.6 RPG and Darnell Brodie’s contributed 11.5 PPG with a team-high 8.1 RPG as well to lead Drake on the glass and round out the scoring for the Bulldogs in double figures on the year. As a team, Drake is averaging 78.7 PPG on 46.7% shooting from the field, 33.1% from three and 78.9% from the foul line this season.
Illinois State vs. Drake Prediction
It’s not always easy passing up double-digits in conference play, but I think this is a spot where you have to. Drake has been the much better team on both ends of the floor, they hit their free throws and play solid defense. Illinois State hasn’t shot overly well, and the Redbirds have a fairly high turnover rate on offense while Drake is just outside the top-50 in terms of forcing turnovers on the defensive end of the floor. Give me Drake laying the points.
