The IUPUI Jaguars and the Drake Bulldogs meet Wednesday in college basketball action from Knapp Center. IUPUI has one game in the books so far: a loss to Iowa State. As for Drake, this will be their opener. The Bulldogs are coming off a 25-11 overall record last season. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
IUPUI had a rough season in 2021-22. The Jaguars went just 3-26 overall with a 1-16 record in Horizon League play. That effort left IUPUI way down in last place in the conference standings, three games behind Green Bay at 4-16.
The Jaguars opened up their 2022-23 season with a road matchup versus Iowa State. IUPUI was down 45-22 at halftime in that one, and faded from there with an 88-39 blowout loss. Jlynn Counter was the only double-digit scorer with 16 points, four rebounds and two assists.
Over on the Drake side, they had a pretty solid run in the regular season last year. The Bulldogs went 25-11 overall and 13-5 in Missouri Valley Conference play. That result left Drake in third place in the standings behind Northern Iowa and Missouri State.
Drake had two three-game losing streaks last season, but outside of that the team didn’t lose consecutive games. After a loss to Loyola-Chicago in the MVC Tournament championship, Drake eventually lost to UNC Wilmington in the quarterfinals of the CBI.
PICK: I’m probably leaning Drake here—the line is too thick to mess with, though. Most of that is due to IUPUI’s on-court performance Monday. Sure, the Jaguars were overmatched by Iowa State, but the statistical disparities were pretty evident. IUPUI shot 33.3 percent from the field with just 2-of-13 from 3-point range and 9-of-16 from the line. The Jaguars were out-rebounded 41-25, beaten in assists 20-4 and coughed up 29 turnovers. If Drake opens up with any semblance of chemistry here, the Bulldogs should have a good shot at a cover.