Drake vs Southern Illinois Prediction 3/7/25 College Basketball Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Drake vs Southern Illinois prediction for this College Basketball game on Friday, March 7th at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this College Basketball matchup.

Drake Bulldogs Betting Preview

The Drake Bulldogs are 27-3 (17-3) this year after they defeated Missouri State by a score of 68-60 in overtime. Drake led 29-28 at halftime, but they allowed 31 points in the second half, before pulling away in overtime for the win. The Bulldogs shot 45.3% from the field, 28.6% on three pointers, and 77.8% on free throws in the game. Bennett Stirtz led Drake with 23 points and five rebounds, while Tavion Banks added 14 points and 11 rebounds in the win. 

Prior to that game, the Bulldogs defeated Evansville by a score of 65-61 and Northern Iowa by a score of 64-58. Drake has won four games in a row and they finished first in the MVC standings with a 17-3 record. Drake has scored 70.8 points per game and they have allowed 59.2 points against per game, while also averaging 31 rebounds and 13.6 assists per game this season. Bennett Stirtz is averaging 18.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game, while Daniel Abreu is averaging 11.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.0 assist per game this year. Drake is shooting 48.6% from the field, 70.9% on free throws, and 36.1% on three pointers this season. 

Southern Illinois Salukis Betting Preview

The Southern Illinois Salukis are 14-18 (8-12) this season after they defeated Indiana State by a score of 86-85 in their first game of the MVC Tournament. Southern Illinois led 47-43 at halftime, but they needed a layup with only a few seconds left to seal the win. The Salukis shot 53.7% from the field, 42.9% on three pointers, and 62.5% on free throws in the game. Ali Dibba led Southern Illinois with 30 points and nine rebounds, while Kennard Davis Jr. added 22 points and six rebounds in the game. 

Prior to that win, the Salukis lost to Indiana State by a score of 95-77, but did beat Illinois State by a score of 88-79 before that. Southern Illinois has lost five of their last seven games and they finished tied for eighth in the MVC standings with an 8-12 record. Southern Illinois has scored 73.1 points per game and they have allowed 74.3 points against per game, while also averaging 35.6 rebounds and 14.1 assists per game this season. Ali Dibba is averaging 16.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game, while Kennard Davis Jr. is averaging 16.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game this year. Southern Illinois is shooting 46% from the field, 67.7% on free throws, and 35.1% on three pointers this season. 

Why Southern Illinois will beat Drake

• Southern Illinois has won three of its last four games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
• Southern Illinois has won the first half in three of its last four games against the Missouri Valley Conference.

Matchup/League Facts

• Drake ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for opponent rebounds per game this season (24.8).
• Drake ranks 364th among Division 1 teams for field goal attempts per game this season (50.4).

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Drake vs Southern Illinois Prediction 

Drake comes into this game as the #1 seed in the MVC Tournament and they have a lot of pressure on them to win this tournament. The Bulldogs are 27-3 on the season, but it is up in the air if they will make the NCAA Tournament without the automatic qualifier. Drake is just an average offensive team, but they are one of the best defensive teams in the country, as they are allowing 59.2 points against per game. Southern Illinois has the benefit of playing on Thursday and getting into a rhythm, but they struggle on defense and they have allowed at least 79 points in four straight games. I never like taking Drake with these bigger numbers, as they don’t score into the 70’s very often, so I will take the points with Southern Illinois here.