Drake Bulldogs vs Missouri Tigers Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 03/20/2025

Game Time: 7:35 pm ET, Thursday, March 20, 2025

Venue:  INTRUST Bank Arena, Wichita, KS 

Where to Watch:  truTV

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Drake +6.5, Mizzou -6.5; Over/Under:  132.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Drake +6.5, Mizzou -6.5; Over/Under:  132.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Drake +6.5, Mizzou -6.5; Over/Under:  132.5 points

Drake Bulldogs:  30-3 (17-3) (1st place, MVC)

Missouri Tigers:  22-11 (10-8) (7th place, SEC)

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Drake Bulldogs:  5-0  last 5

Missouri Tigers:  1-4  last 5

Drake is entering this game with a 30-3 record overall, a 17-3 record in conference games, and they are 6-0 in their neutral site games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Bradley Braves in their last game. Bennett Stirtz led the team in points in that game with 24 while Tavion Banks was next on the team with 13. Bennett Stirtz led the team in assists with 4 in that game while Tavion Banks led the team in rebounds with 9. They were 45.7% from the field, 40% from 3-point range, and 65.2% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 70.1 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 58.4 PPG against them. Drake has an ATS record of 17-14 this season and their O/U record is 12-19.

Missouri is entering this game with a 22-11 record overall, a 10-8 conference record, and they are 1-2 in their neutral site games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a loss against the Florida Gators in their last game. Tamar Bates led the team in points in that game with 16 while Tony Perkins and Anthony Robinson II each were next on the team with 13. Tony Perkins and Anthony Robinson II each led the team in assists with 3 in that game while Tony Perkins led the team in rebounds with 4. They were 44.1% from the field, 25% from 3-point range, and 60.7% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 84.5 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 73.8 PPG against them. Missouri has an ATS record of 18-15 this season and their O/U record is 20-13.

The current betting odds have Missouri listed as a 6.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Missouri has looked really good in their games this season with their 22-11 record overall and their 10-8 conference record which had them in the top half of the SEC. They have only played 3 neutral site games this year and weren't great in those as they are 1-2, but they also had a much tougher schedule all season. Meanwhile, Drake has looked great in their games this season with their 30-3 record overall and their 17-3 conference record which had them right at the top of their conference. They didn't lose a single non-conference game this season and were also 6-0 in neutral site games, but they also played a much weaker schedule. Drake won their conference tournament and has a ton of momentum on their side with 7 wins in a row now, but they also finished that tournament over a week ago and have been off for a while. They could have some rust in this game leading to a slower start, and it doesn't help that they haven't played many teams like Missouri this season. Missouri is coming off a loss to Florida in the SEC Tournament and they have looked terrible lately as they are 1-4 in their last 5 games, but they also finished above .500 in the best conference this season. They have some really good wins under their belt too and they are going to bring their best effort for this game since the NCAA Tournament is not something they have seen a lot of over the years. Drake has had a great season, but they haven't really played anyone special this year and that is going to show up in this game. The best way to place a bet here is on Missouri to cover the spread in this game. 

Drake Missouri Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Thursday, March 20, 2025 (7:35 pm ET start time) is Missouri 74 Drake 63.

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Drake Bulldogs: 16-6 ATS in all neutral court games. 14-6 ATS in all tournament games. 19-6 ATS versus very good teams - outscoring their opponents by 8+ points/game. 15-8 UNDER in all neutral court games. 18-8 UNDER versus very good teams - outscoring their opponents by 8+ points/game.

Missouri Tigers: 3-6 ATS when the total is 130 to 139.5. 4-11 ATS after 3 or more consecutive overs. 15-27 ATS after 1 or more consecutive losses. 13-21 ATS off a loss against a conference rival. 8-3 UNDER in all tournament games. 8-3 1H UNDER versus teams who average 9 or more steals/game on the season.

Drake Bulldogs:  None.

Missouri Tigers:  None.

“Death by a thousand paper cuts. It’s just one little thing after one little thing, and eventually it turns into big things. Our guys have the mentality to be able to do that and not try to throw haymakers. Come out and jab, jab, jab all game long and then hope that it works out at the end.” - Ben McCollum on his team making the NCAA Tournament in his first season coaching the team. 

“Well, the first thing I looked at was our name and making sure that, you know, those moments are taken in. You can't take these moments for granted. So, we're thankful to be in the tournament.” - Dennis Gates on his team making the NCAA Tournament. 

D. Abreu 

I. Jackson 

C. Manyawu 

M. Mascari 

B. Stirtz

T. Bates 

M. Mitchell 

T. Perkins 

T. Pierce 

A. Robinson

PPG: B. Stirtz (18.9)

APG: B. Stirtz (5.9)

Reb/G: C. Manyawu (5.4)

PPG: M. Mitchell (14.3)

APG: A. Robinson (3.5)

Reb/G: J. Gray (5.2)

Coaches:

Drake Bulldogs: Ben McCollum (1st season)

Missouri Tigers: Dennis Gates (3rd season)