The Southern Illinois Salukis and the Drake Bulldogs meet in college basketball action from the Knapp Center on Saturday afternoon. Let’s dive into the odds, injuries, matchup history and make a prediction for this game.
Odds
Drake is listed as a 6.5-point home favorite with a ML price of -294. The total for this game is set at 129.5 points.
Injuries
Neither side has anyone listed on the injury report for this game, so barring any last-minute announcements, both sides will come into this game at full strength.
Matchup History
Southern Illinois’ 53-49 win over Drake back on January 4th, 2023, made it three straight wins for the home team in this matchup.
Trends
Southern Illinois is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall and 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games against a team with a winning record while the over is 4-1 in their last 5 games overall. Drake is 2-6 ATS in their last 8 home games and 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games following an ATS win while the over is 4-0 in their last 4 games overall.
Pick
I’m leaning towards Drake here. Not a game I’m rushing to bet, but it’s definitely one I’d tune in to watch between two of the best in the MVC this season. That being said, Drake has been on a tear the last few weeks after having some questionable road performances, but the one constant despite even those issues was that Drake plays their best at home. Southern Illinois has had some blips here and there and those blips on the road normally come against the better teams and by sizeable margins when they do. Give me the Bulldogs at home here.