College Basketball Bets & Predictions: Southern Illinois vs. Drake (Friday)
The Southern Illinois Salukis battle the Drake Bulldogs in the Missouri Valley Conference quarter-finals. Can the underdogs keep the game close or will it be a blowout? Meanwhile, the Tennessee State Tigers take on the SIU Edwardsville Cougars in the Ohio Valley Conference semi-finals. Should we expect a high-scoring affair in that one? Are the Memphis Tigers destined to win big again when they face the South Florida Bulls?
Here are the best college basketball picks for Friday, March 7th’s game Southern Illinois vs. Drake.
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Friday’s Best College Basketball Bets: Southern Illinois vs. Drake
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Southern Illinois vs. Drake
The Bulldogs have won 15 of their last 16 games, as they enter tonight's quarter-final game with a record of 27-3. Yet, for as good as they've been, the last couple of weeks have featured plenty of close calls for the top seed in the Missouri Valley Conference. Three of their last six wins have come in overtime and only one win during that stretch was by double digits.
The Bulldogs are favored by 9.5 today, meaning they'll have to win by at least 10 for just the second time since February 5th. While some may be concerned about the recent close calls, this game really shouldn't be close.
The Salukis enter this game as losers in five of their last seven. Though they defeated the Indiana State Sycamores last night, they needed a last-second shot to make it happen. The only time these two teams played in the regular season, the Bulldogs won by 10 at Southern Illinois. There is no reason to think the 14-18 Salukis can keep it closer than that today.
Pick: Drake -9.5 (-110)
Phil Wood is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Phil, check out his archive and follow him @Phil_Wood_Jr.