Missouri State vs Bradley 2/23/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Bradley Braves will travel to JQH Arena to take on the Missouri State Bears this Wednesday night in College Basketball action.

The Bradley Braves improved to 16-12 on the season after defeating the Illinois State Redbirds, 72-64, this past Saturday. Bradley was outstanding on the offensive end throughout the 2^nd half and was able to pull away for the victory after taking a 62-51 lead with 5:31 left in regulation. Bradley shot 42.9% from the field & 21.1% from beyond the arc while allowing Illinois State to shoot 42.9% from the field & 50.0% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Braves was Malevy Leons who had 21 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, & 1 steal.

On the season, Bradley is averaging 71.0 ppg on 44.6% shooting from the field. The Braves are averaging 7.9 three-pointers per game on 34.5% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Bradley has been led by Terry Roberts (15.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 4.1 apg, 1.5 spg), Rienk Mast (11.4 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.0 bpg), Malevy Leons (10.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.1 bpg), & Ville Tahvanainen (7.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg).

Defensively, Bradley is holding their opponents to average 64.9 ppg on 39.8% shooting from the field. The Braves have a rebound margin of 7.2 and a turnover margin of -1.1.

The Missouri State Bears had their 3-game winning streak snapped and dropped to 20-9 on the season after being defeated by the Northern Iowa Panthers, 95-75, this past Sunday. Missouri State had no answers on the defensive end against Northern Iowa and could not fight back after the Panthers took a 49-33 lead into halftime. Missouri State shot 49.2% from the field & 25.0% from beyond the arc while allowing Northern Iowa to 58.9% shooting from the field & 46.4% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Bears was Gaige Prim who had 24 points, 6 rebounds, & 3 assists.

On the season, Missouri State is averaging 67.9 ppg on 41.9% shooting from the field. The Bears are averaging 8.6 three-pointers per game on 38.1% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Missouri State has been led by Isiaih Mosley (19.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.1 spg), Gaige Prim (15.9 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.3 bpg), Ja’Monta Black (9.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.0 apg), & Jaylen Minnett (9.2 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 1.1 apg).

Defensively, Missouri State is holding their opponents to an average of 64.9 ppg on 39.8% shooting from the field. The Bears have a rebound margin of 7.2 and a turnover margin of -1.1.

The Braves are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games & 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Wednesday games. The Bears are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 February games & 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Wednesday games.

Bradley is a solid defensive team that comes into this game ranked 56^th in scoring defense & 26^th in defensive FG%, however, the offense can struggle at times and the Braves have had issues on the road as they come into this game with just a 4-7 road record. Missouri State had an uncharacteristically bad game defensively against Northern Iowa, however, the Bears have been solid on both ends of the court this season and between the fact that Missouri State is 11-4 at home and that they already defeated Bradley on the road this season, I’m taking Missouri State to cover this mid-range home spread. Good Luck!