One of my favorite things about betting on March Madness is the contrast in styles that can occur in the bracket. The West Region features a fantastic clash in philosophies with the No. 6 Missouri Tigers' tangle with the No. 11 Drake Bulldogs.
On one hand, you have a high-octane team out of the all-powerful SEC. And on the other, a methodical defensive-driven mid-major most have never heard of.
Get ready to meet the Bulldogs. They’re at the center of my best Drake vs. Missouri predictions and March Madness picks for Thursday, March 20.
Who will win Drake vs Missouri?
Missouri is the favorite, and the outright odds give Mizzou a 73% implied win probability, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see the No. 11 seed advance. Some game models have this as close a one-possession game, so I’m backing the Bulldogs to pull off the upset.
Drake vs Missouri prediction
My best bet: Drake +6.5 (-110 at bet365)
Who the hell are the Drake Bulldogs? That was probably the response from the bulk of “bracketologists” filling out their NCAA pathways this week.
If you want to know about the Bulldogs, just go ask Miami, Kansas State, or Vanderbilt. Those power conference programs all lost to Drake in non-conference competition.
Granted, the Missouri Tigers are a much better team than those three foes, but the Bulldogs have zero fear when it comes to running with the big boys — especially when they can walk with them.
Drake’s employs the slowest tempo in the country and can stick this Tigers team attack in sand. That snail’s pace fuels a calm and calculated offense that boasts the 58th-best effective field goal rate and pads a defense ranked 46th in defensive efficiency, which allows the fewest field goal attempts from opponents.
Slowing down Missouri isn’t an easy task and as much as Drake can put the brakes on the Tigers’ tempo, Mizzou can also put the Bulldogs on their heels.
However, so much of Missouri’s transition game depends on fastbreak baskets (46th FBPTS), causing chaos (14.1 turnovers forced) and scoring points off turnovers (17.9 POTOV — ninth) and that’s something Drake isn’t going to allow for.
The Bulldogs cough the ball up 11.3 times and gift wrap only 10.8 POTOV per outing. What’s more, Drake is tops in shutting down fastbreaks buckets (5.1 FBPTS) and limiting any extra looks, topping Div. 1 in opponent second-chance points (6.5 SCP) due to their relentless rebounding (15th in rebound rate).
Offensively (but still kind of defensively), the Bulldogs can give the Tigers a taste of their own medicine. Drake is just as dangerous at transforming defense into easy offense, averaging 5.2 steals (15th) and generating 13.4 turnovers, which get cashed in for almost 16 points off those miscues.
The Tigers back into the NCAA Tournament in a bit of a funk, having won just once in their last five contests. They’ve seen their mistakes multiply in that slide, averaging 11.2 turnovers and giving up 18.4 POTOV over those five games.
Game projections range from Missouri winning by eight points to as few as three points, with my number calling for a five-point finish. I’ll take the points with Drake +6.5.
Drake vs Missouri same-game parlay (SGP)
Drake +6.5
Over 132.5
Tavion Banks 10+ points
The Bulldogs put the Tigers’ tempo in sand and keep this close with their “boring” brand of basketball.
You would think Drake covering would lean into the Under. But with the way the Bulldogs can score points off turnovers (and Mizzou’s recent miscues), game models sitting between 133 and 144 points.
Tavion Banks is big on the boards for the Bulldogs and will score some second-chance buckets, with projections calling for 10+ points.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Drake vs Missouri odds
Drake vs Missouri live odds
Drake vs Missouri opening odds
- Spread: Drake +6 | Missouri -6
- Moneyline: Drake +214 | Missouri -258
- Over/Under: Over 133.5 | Under 133.5
Odds courtesy of bet365
Drake vs Missouri betting trend to know
Missouri has gone Over the total in 12 of its last 14 games (+9.80 Units/63% ROI). Find more college basketball betting trends for Drake vs. Missouri.
How to watch Drake vs Missouri
| Region | West |
| Location | INTRUST Bank Arena, Wichita, KS |
| Date | Thursday, 3-20-2025 |
| Tip-off | 7:35 p.m. ET |
| TV | truTV |
Drake vs Missouri key injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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