A 12-game home winning streak is on the line for the Drake Bulldogs (15-7, 5-4 MVC) when they square off with the Southern Illinois Salukis (12-10, 6-3 MVC) at Knapp Center. The game gets underway at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 1, 2020.
Southern Illinois Salukis at Drake Bulldogs ATS Odds
In their last matchup, the Bulldogs lost a close one to the Indiana State Sycamores, 58-56, while the Salukis defeated the Loyola Chicago Ramblers, 68-63.
Southern Illinois dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had an extraordinary free throw rate of 0.356 (above their season average of 0.230) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.578 (above their season average of 0.500). Loyola Chicago recorded marks of 0.185 and 0.491, respectively, for those same stats. Drake, meanwhile, held Indiana State to an effective field goal percentage of 0.430 (below their season average of 0.528). Drake rallied around Liam Robbins, who recorded 12 points and 11 rebounds. Meanwhile, Eric McGill fueled Southern Illinois with 27 points and six rebounds.
In their first matchup this year, Barret Benson led the Salukis to a 66-49 win. He notched a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Southern Illinois’ 0.314 free throw rate was their biggest advantage over Drake, who had a rate of 0.180.
Drake could have trouble getting to the charity stripe in this contest. The Bulldogs currently rank 291st in the country with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.193, while Southern Illinois ranks 32nd in FTA rate allowed (0.169). Additionally, the Salukis, who rank 344th in offensive rebounding percentage (21.0 percent), will battle against the Bulldogs, who rank seventh in defensive rebounding percentage (78.3 percent).
Southern Illinois Salukis at Drake Bulldogs Odds Pick
College Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – Drake, ATS Winner – Southern Illinois, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Drake ranks 26th in assists per game (15.9) while Southern Illinois ranks 185th (12.4).
- The Salukis allow the 43rd-fewest blocks per game (2.7) while the Bulldogs rank 60th (2.9).
- Southern Illinois averages 21.4 three pointers per game, which ranks 163rd in the nation. Drake ranks 174th in three pointers allowed per game (22.7).
- The Bulldogs rank 41st in rebounds allowed per game (32.0) while the Salukis rank 129th (34.8).
- Southern Illinois ranks 120th in steals per game (6.5) while Drake ranks 137th in steals allowed per game (6.7).
Bettings Trends:
- The Salukis’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 2.2, down from 2.3 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Bulldogs have scored an average of 66.6 points per game (3.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 63.4 points per game (2.1 below their season average).
