| MATCHUP | Valparaiso Beacons | Drake Bulldogs |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 12-12 | 12-13 |
| Spread | +2.5 -105 | -2.5 -115 |
| Moneyline | +124 | -148 |
| Total | Over 143.5 (-112) | Under 143.5 (-108) |
| Where | Knapp Center, Des Moines, IA | |
| When | Monday, February 9, 2026 | |
| Time | 07:30 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
Drake Bulldogs Preview
The Drake Bulldogs have a 12-13 overall record this season and a 6-8 record in the MVC. They are coming off an 86-76 road loss against Illinois State and their previous four games were a 103-90 road loss against Belmont, an 87-73 road loss against Bradley, an 82-78 home win against Evansville and a 76-62 road win against Indiana State.
Offensively, Drake averages 77.6 points per game, while allowing 74.7 points per game defensively. The Bulldogs shoot with 45% from the field and grab 36 rebounds per game, while dishing out 14 assists per game. They average 3.1 blocks per game and 5.8 steals per game defensively.
Jalen Quinn leads Drake in scoring and assists, with an average of 19.4 points per game and 3.3 assists per game, while shooting with 46.2% from the field and 77% from the free throw line. Okku Federiko is the team’s leading rebounder with 5.2 per game.
Valparaiso Beacons Preview
The Valparaiso Beacons have a 12-12 overall record this season and a 6-7 record in the MVC. They are coming off a 70-63 home overtime win against Evansville and their previous four games were a 72-65 road loss against Bradley, a 76-72 road overtime win against Indiana State, a 78-77 home loss against Belmont and a 69-63 home win against Southern Illinois.
Offensively, Valparaiso averages 71 points per game, while allowing 70 points per game defensively. The Beacons shoot with 41% from the field and grab 37 rebounds per game, while dishing out 11.3 assists per game. They average 3.8 blocks per game and 6.3 steals per game defensively.
Owen Dease leads Valparaiso in scoring, with an average of 14.4 points per game, while shooting with 48.7% from the field and 85.7% from the free throw line. JT Pettigrew is the team’s leading rebounder with 6.1 per game. Rakim Chaney leads the team in assists made with 2.8 per game.
Valparaiso Beacons @ Drake Bulldogs Betting Trends: February 9, 2026
Why the Drake Bulldogs will win
- Drake has won each of its last 10 night games against Valparaiso.
- Valparaiso has lost each of its last six games at Knapp Center.
- The home team has won the first half in eight of Valparaiso’s last nine games.
Why the Valparaiso Beacons will win
- Drake has lost each of its last three games.
- Drake has lost the first half in eight of its last nine night games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Drake’s last six night games have produced a total of 149+ points.
- Eight of Valparaiso’s last 10 road games have produced a total of 145+ points.
Matchup/League Facts
- Drake ranks 8th among Division 1 teams for opponent free throw percentage this season (66.7%).
- Drake ranks 40th among Division 1 teams for opponent blocks per game this season (2.6).
- Valparaiso ranks T17th among Division 1 teams for opponent steals per game this season (5.1).
- Valparaiso ranks T50th among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point field goals made per game this season (6.5).
Valparaiso vs Drake Prediction
In this Valparaiso vs Drake Prediction, Drake is coming as -2.5 home favorites. Both teams have almost identical overall records and exactly 12 wins each, but Drake has three consecutive losses and are 1-3 against the spread in their last 4 games, while Valparaiso is 4-2 in its last 6 games and a strong 8-2 against the spread in its last 10, so I expect them to keep this one close, as they also have a better defense, allowing 4.7 points per game less than Drake. Take Valparaiso and get the +2.5 points in this one.