Bradley vs Belmont Prediction 1/1/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks
Chris Ruffolo
Belmont’s Tyler Lundblade, right, lines up one of his three-pointers against Bradley in the second half of their MVC basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 at Carver Arena. Lundblade dropped eight three-pointers and the Braves fell to the Bruins 80-77.
MATCHUP
Bradley Braves
Belmont Bruins
Team Records
10-4
12-2
Spread
+4.5 -115
-4.5 -105
Moneyline
+170
-205
Total
Over 154.5 (-108)
Under 154.5 (-112)
Where
Curb Event Center Arena, Nashville, TN
When
Thursday, January 1, 2026
Time
07:00 PM EST
TV
ESPN+
The Bradley Braves and the Belmont Bruins meet Thursday in college basketball action from the Curb Event Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Bradley Braves vs. Belmont Bruins prediction.
Bradley Braves Recap
The Bradley Braves come into this game looking to add on to their 76-68 win over Evansville last time out to sit at 10-4 on the year. After this game, Bradley will head on the road for a game against Murray State.
Braves Win 7 Straight
Jaquan Johnson leads the Braves in scoring and assists with 18.8 PPG and 4.3 RPG along with 3.5 APG and 3.4 SPG to lead the Braves in steals as well. Alex Huibregtse has 12.1 PPG and Demarion Burch has 10.3 PPG with 2.7 RPG to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for Bradley up to this point in the year. AJ Smith has 7.9 PPG with a team-high 5.4 RPG and Montana Wheeler’s also added 9.1 PPG and 3.2 APG as well this season. As a team, Bradley is averaging 78.3 PPG on 44.1% shooting from the field, 34.1% from three and 73.2% from the foul line this season.
Belmont Bruins Recap
The Belmont Bruins come into this game looking to shake off an 81-80 loss at the hands of Indiana State last time out to sit at 12-2 this season. After this game, Belmont will head home for a game against Southern Illinois.
Bruins Have Four-Game Win Streak Snapped
Tyler Lundblade leads the Bruins in scoring with 16.6 PPG along with 2.2 RPG while Sam Orme has 13.6 PPG with a team-high 6.8 RPG to lead Belmont in rebounding and Drew Scharnowski has 11.3 PPG with 5.8 RPG. Nik McClain’s added 11 PPG with 4.5 RPG and a team-high 6.4 APG to lead Belmont in assists and to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for Belmont so far this season. Brigham Rogers has chipped in 8.9 PPG with 4.6 RPG and Jabez Jenkins has 7.9 PPG with 4.9 RPG as well on the year. As a team, Belmont is averaging 85 PPG on 51.1% shooting from the field, 39.9% from three and 67.7% from the foul line so far this season.
Bradley Braves @ Belmont Bruins Betting Trends: January 1, 2026
Why the Belmont Bruins will win
Belmont has won each of its last eight games after coming off overtime.
Belmont has won the first half in each of its last 11 night games.
Why the Bradley Braves will win
Bradley has won each of its last seven games.
The road team has won the first half in each of Belmont’s last five games.
Total Points Facts
Seven of Bradley’s last eight games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 144 or fewer points.
Each of the last four games between Bradley and Belmont have produced a total of 154+ points.
Matchup/League Facts
Belmont ranks 361st among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point field goal attempts per game this season (31.4).
Belmont ranks 8th among Division 1 teams for opponent field goal percentage this season (37.0%).
Bradley ranks 17th among Division 1 teams for opponent turnovers per game this season (16.4).
Bradley ranks T22nd among Division 1 teams for steals per game this season (9.9).
Bradley Braves vs. Belmont Bruins Prediction
I’m on the Braves and the points here. I get the case to be made for either side in this game, but I’m leaning towards Bradley because we’re getting a couple of buckets in a game that I could see coming down to the final possessions. I wouldn’t be surprised if Belmont won, but I think it’s going to be tight either way. Give me Bradley and the points.
