Bradley Braves (22-8) vs Drake Bulldogs (24-6)
Game Info: Sunday, February 26, 2023 at 4:00 pm (Carver Arena)
Betting Odds: Bradley Braves -3 -- Over/Under: 132 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Drake Bulldogs will travel to Peoria to face the Bradley Braves in MVC play from the Carver Arena on ESPN2. Bradley leads the all-time series, 91-66, after winning three of the last four meetings.
Drake improved to 24-6 after defeating Illinois State in Des Moines. The Bulldogs led the Redbirds at the break, and they poured in on the second half en route to a 31-point victory, 82-51. Drake is scoring 76.1 points per game, while allowing 64.5 ppg, and shooting 46.9% from the field.
Drake has won their last ten games, and they currently sit tied atop the conference with Bradley. The Bulldogs 15-4 in MVC play, with a 6-5 road record. Sophomore Tucker DeVries’ has delivered as the Bulldogs leading scorer this season, and after back-to-back 32-point outings at the top of the month, he averages 19.2 ppg, while grabbing 5.7 rpg. Senior point guard Roman Penn scored 22 points in the win over Belmont last week, and he’s now up to 12.6 ppg and a team-lead 5.3 apg. Fellow veteran guard Garrett Sturtz has double-doubled in four of the last eight games, and he’s up to 9.4 ppg and 6.8 rpg.
Bradley improved to 22-8 after defeating Valparaiso on the road. The Braves jumped out to a big first half lead, and held on to beat the Beacons by ten, 76-66. Bradley is scoring 71.5 points per game, while allowing 61.3 ppg, and shooting 46.3% from the field.
Bradley has won their last nine games, and they’ll look to avenge a massive 25-point loss to Drake last month here. The Braves are 15-4 in MVC play, with a 14-1 home record. Bradley plays through the strength of their front court with Rienk Mast and Malevy Leons. Mast, a 6’9 junior, led the team with 19 points in the win over Valpo, and he leads the team in scoring (14.0) and rebounding (7.8). Leons, a 6’9 senior, is second on the team in both categories at 11.6 ppg and 6.2 rpg.
Drake is 12-15-1 against the spread this season, with a 15-13 over/under record. Bradley is 17-11 ATS this year, with a 13-15 o/u record.
This one will be for all of the marbles in the Missouri Valley, and it could end up being the best game on the Sunday slate. Both schools are carrying strong winning streaks into this battle, we should definitely receive a much more contested matchup this time around. Spotting Drake the points feels good here, but I like targeting the manageable total a bit more. Take the over for this high stakes MVC clash.
Corey’s Pick Over 132
AUTHOR: Corey Ghee
Mitch's Take...
