Belmont vs Drake Prediction 3/8/25 College Basketball Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Belmont vs Drake prediction for this College Basketball game on Saturday, March 8th at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this College Basketball matchup.

Belmont Bruins Betting Preview

The Belmont Bruins are 22-10 (13-7) this year after they defeated Illinois State by a score of 76-63 in their last game. Belmont led 41-18 at halftime, but they did allow 45 points in the second half in the win. The Bruins shot 44.4% from the field, 28.6% on three-pointers, and 73.7% on free throws in the game. Tyler Lundblade led Belmont with 14 points and two rebounds, while Carter Whitt added 12 points and 11 assists in the win. 

Prior to that game, the Bruins defeated Murray State by a score of 70-60 and Missouri State by a score of 74-65. Belmont has won four games in a row and they finished fourth in the MVC standings with a 13-7 record. Belmont has scored 80.4 points per game and they have allowed 77.7 points per game, while also averaging 34.4 rebounds and 17.2 assists per game this season. Jonathan Pierre is averaging 14.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, while Carter Whitt is averaging 13.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game this year. Belmont is shooting 46.7% from the field, 72.1% on free throws, and 38.9% on three-pointers this season.  

Drake Bulldogs Betting Preview

The Drake Bulldogs are 28-3 (17-3) this season after they defeated Southern Illinois by a score of 70-53 in their last game. Drake led 36-25 at halftime and held SIU to just 28 points in the second half for the win. The Bulldogs shot 43.9% from the field, 30.4% on three-pointers, and 59.1% on free throws in the game. Isaia Howard led Drake with 21 points and six steals, while Bennett Stirtz added 15 points and five rebounds in the win. 

Prior to that victory, the Bulldogs defeated Missouri State by a score of 68-60 and Evansville by a score of 65-61. Drake has won five games in a row and they finished first in the MVC standings with a 17-3 record. Drake has scored 70.8 points per game and they have allowed 59.2 points per game, while also averaging 31 rebounds and 13.6 assists per game this season. Bennett Stirtz is averaging 18.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game, while Daniel Abreu is averaging 11.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game this season. Drake is shooting 48.6% from the field, 70.9% on free throws, and 36.1% on three-pointers this year. 

Why Belmont will beat Drake 

• Belmont has won each of its last nine Saturday games against the Missouri Valley Conference.

Matchup/League Facts

• Drake ranks 364th among Division 1 teams for pace this season (59.5).
• Drake ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for opponent points per game this season (59.2).
• Belmont ranks 13th among Division 1 teams for assists per game this season (17.2).
• Belmont ranks 24th among Division 1 teams for assist-to-turnover ratio this season (1.54).

Belmont vs Drake Prediction 

These two teams come into this game playing two different styles of basketball, so it will be interesting to see which team can control the pace. Drake loves to slow things down and rely on their tough defense, while Belmont prefers to get into shootouts and not play much defense. Drake has won five games in a row and they rolled through the MVC this year. The Bulldogs are allowing just 59.2 points per game this year, while Belmont is scoring over 80 points per game. The Bruins have won four games in a row and while they are allowing over 77 points per game on the season, they have held their last three opponents to 65 points or fewer. Drake won the lone regular-season meeting with Belmont by a score of 65-46, but that game was back in December. I do think this game is going to be closer and I think Belmont’s offense definitely gives them a chance to win the game, so I will take the points with the Bruins here. 

David Racey's Pick: Belmont ATS