Missouri State vs Drake 1/2/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Drake Bulldogs will travel to JQH Arena to take on the Missouri State Bears this Sunday night in College Basketball action.

The Drake Bulldogs won their 4^th straight game and improved to 10-4 on the season after defeating the Mount Marty Lancers, 82-53, this past Tuesday. Drake was lights out on the offensive end against Mount Marty and had no trouble securing the victory after going into halftime with a 42-13 lead. Drake shot 49.1% from the field & 50.0% from beyond the arc while allowing Mount Marty to shoot 36.5% from the field & 27.6% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Bulldogs was D.J. Wilkins who had 16 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, & 1 steal.

On the season, Drake is averaging 76.9 ppg on 46.4% shooting from the field. The Bulldogs are averaging 9.3 three-pointers per game on 38.8% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Drake has been led by Tucker Devries (13.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.1 spg), Tremell Murphy (10.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg), ShanQuan Hemphill (10.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.0 spg), & Garrett Sturtz (9.4 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.2 spg).

Defensively, Drake is holding their opponents to an average of 64.6 ppg on 42.4% shooting from the field. The Bulldogs have a rebound margin of 3.1 and a turnover margin of 2.0.

The Missouri State Bears improved to 9-5 on the season after defeating the Evangel Crusaders, 103-56, this past Thursday. Missouri State had no trouble generating offense against Evangel and easily cruised to victory in the 2^nd half after going into halftime with a 52-30 lead. Missouri State shot 60.3% from the field & 56.8% from beyond the arc while holding Evangel to just 33.3% from the field & 20.8% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Bears was Isiaih Mosley who had 22 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, & 1 steal in just 18 minutes.

On the season, Missouri State is averaging 80.2 ppg on 48.8% shooting from the field. The Bears are averaging 10.1 three-pointers per game on 40.1% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Missouri State has been led by Isiaih Mosley (18.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.2 spg), Gaige Prim (14.8 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.5 bpg), Jaylen Minnett (13.0 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.3 spg), & Ja’Monta Black (10.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.1 apg).

Defensively, Missouri State is allowing their opponents to average 67.4 ppg on 42.0% shooting from the field. The Bears have a rebound margin of 3.0 and a turnover margin of 0.9.

The Bulldogs are 2-9 ATS in their last 11 games, however, are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 road games vs. Missouri State. The Bears are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games and 9-1 ATS in their last 10 Sunday games.

Drake has been solid on both ends of the court this season as the Bulldogs come into this game ranked 82^nd in scoring offense, 88^th in FG%, & 90^th in scoring defense. The Bears have been led by their offense which ranks 35^th in scoring offense, 21^st in FG%, & 9^th in defensive FG%, however, have been nothing more than average defensively as they come into this game ranked 159^th in scoring defense & 166^th in defensive FG%.

Missouri State is a very good offensive team, however, I think this is just too many points to give a Drake team who have been competitive in all 4 of their losses this season which includes games against Alabama & Clemson. I expect Missouri to give Drake all they can handle, however, I see this one being a tight one when it’s all said or done, I think I’m going to want the points in the end. Take Drake and the points. Good Luck!