Drexel vs UNC Wilmington 2/24/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The UNC Wilmington Seahawks will travel to the Daskalakis Athletic Center to take on the Drexel Dragons this Thursday night in College Basketball action.

The UNC Wilmington Seahawks improved to 19-8 on the season after defeating the James Madison Dukes, 78-77 (OT), this past Saturday. UNC Wilmington closed out the final 4:24 of regulation on a 9-0 run to force OT and was able to pull off the victory after Trazarien White was fouled with no time left on the clock and hit a pair of game-winning FT’s for the Seahawks. UNC Wilmington shot 41.8% from the field & 17.9% from beyond the arc while allowing James Madison to shoot 47.0% from the field & 29.4% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Seahawks was Jaylen Sims who had a double-double with 24 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, & 2 steals.

On the season, UNC Wilmington is averaging 71.2 ppg on 42.0% shooting from the field. The Seahawks are averaging 7.4 three-pointers per game on 32.7% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, UNC Wilmington has been led by Jaylen Sims (15.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.3 apg), Mike Okauru (12.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.4 spg), Shykeim Phillips (11.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.7 spg), & Jaylen Fornes (8.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.8 apg).

Defensively, UNC Wilmington is allowing their opponents to average 69.5 ppg on 44.9% shooting from the field. The Seahawks have a rebound margin of -3.3 and a turnover margin of 3.0.

The Drexel Dragons won their 2^nd straight game and improved to 14-12 on the season after defeating the Elon Phoenix, 71-60, this past Saturday. Drexel was outstanding defensively against Elon and had no trouble holding on for the victory after taking a 58-36 lead with 10:49 left in regulation. Drexel shot 46.2% from the field & 16.7% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Dragons was Melik Martin who had 12 points, 5 rebounds, & 2 steals.

On the season, Drexel is averaging 73.6 ppg on 46.8% shooting from the field. The Dragons are averaging 7.5 three-pointers per game on 35.5% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Drexel has been led by Camren Wynter (15.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 4.7 apg), Melik Martin (11.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.1 spg), Xavier Bell (10.8 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 1.7 apg), & Amari Williams (9.2 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.2 apg, 2.1 bpg).

Defensively, Drexel is allowing their opponents to average 70.2 ppg on 44.8% shooting from the field. The Dragons have a rebound margin of 0.0 and a turnover margin of 0.1.

The Seahawks are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600, however, are just 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS loss. The Dragons are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 home games following three or more consecutive road games & 7-1 ATS in their last 8 Thursday games.

UNC Wilmington currently sit atop of the CAA stands with a 13-3 conference record, however, the Seahawks haven’t been as dominant as of late, winning just 4 of their last 7 games, and statistically have been below average on both ends of the court as the UNC Wilmington comes into this game ranked t-173^rd in scoring offense & t-191^st in scoring defense. Drexel lost to UNC Wilmington by a 70-63 margin on the road earlier this season, however, between the fact that the Dragons are 7-3 at home and that I think that their offense, which ranks 117^th in scoring offense, 48^th in FG%, & 82^nd in 3P-FG%, will have success on their home court, I’m taking Drexel to cover this mid-range home spread. Good Luck!