Indiana State (27-5) vs Drake (26-6)
Game Info: Sunday, March 10, 2024 at 2:10 pm (Enterprise Center)
Betting Odds: Indiana State -1.5 - Over/Under: 157 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: CBS
The Indiana State Sycamores and the Drake Bulldogs will meet in the MVC Final this Sunday in St. Louis from the Enterprise Center on CBS. Indiana State comes in as narrow favorites, with the total sitting at 157. Stay tuned for our Drake vs Indiana State Prediction.
Drake Preview: Bulldogs Bracing For a Return to the Dance
Drake jumped to 27-6 after defeating Bradley in the Semifinals by five, 72-67. The Bulldogs pulled away down the stretch to return to the conference title game, and they’ll look to spoil the Sycamores breakthrough season this Sunday. Drake is scoring 80.6 points per game, on 48.1% shooting, while allowing 72.1 ppg, and they’re 8-2 over their last ten games.
Drake’s Impact Players
- Junior swingman Tucker DeVries combined for 55 points in both matchups with Indiana State, and he leads Drake in scoring (21.8) and assists (3.5), while grabbing 6.9 rpg.
- CSUN transfer Atin Wright led the way with 20 points in the win over Bradley, and he’s second on the team at 13.6 ppg.
- Newark native Darnell Brodie leads the Bulldogs in rebounding (8.0), while scoring 11.4 ppg.
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Indiana State Preview: Sycamores Set to Continue the Story
Indiana State improved to 28-5 after defeating Northern Iowa in the Semifinals, 94-72. The Sycamores outplayed the Panthers in both periods, and they’ll attempt to complete the mission with a championship win over the Bulldogs. Indiana St. is scoring 84.3 points per game, on 50.2% shooting, while allowing 72.1 ppg, and they’re 8-2 over their previous ten games.
Indiana State’s Impact Players
- Sophomore center Robbie Avila has hit the 21-point in five of the last seven games, and he leads Indiana State in scoring (17.4), rebounding (6.8), and assists (3.9).
- Southern Indiana transfer Isaiah Swope has knocked down three triples or more in three of the last four games, and he’s second on the team at 16.5 ppg.
- Indianapolis native Ryan Conwell paced the Bulldogs with 21 points in the February 1st win over Drake, and he’s averaging 16.1 ppg and 5.5 rpg.
Drake vs Indiana State Game Facts
- Drake leads the current series, 50-48, after winning three the last five meetings.
- DRA is 16-15 against the spread, with a 15-15-1 O/U record
- INST is 18-12-1 ATS, with a 17-14 over/under record.
Drake vs Indiana State Prediction
The Missouri Valley Conference packs a Group of Five punch, and its representative at the Big Dance will have a real chance to play into the second weekend. Drake and Indiana State will face off for the crown in what may ultimately end up being the best game of the Sunday slate, and it just feels like the regular season champs are due for a special March. The Sycamores have been on the radar as a team to watch, and if there’s a spot to fully buy into them, it’s right here. The Bulldogs put together another strong campaign themselves, and even if they come up short here, they will deserve looks as an at-large bid. The Over may be in play, as the favorites tend to fill up the scoreboard, but let’s trust Indiana State to come through in this spot and earn their first trip to the Big Dance since 2011.
Corey’s Pick Indiana State TO WIN
AUTHOR: Corey Ghee
