Southern Illinois Salukis vs Drake Bulldogs

This NCAAB matchup features Southern Illinois Salukis (13-15 (7-6)) traveling to take on Drake Bulldogs (12-17 (6-10)) at Knapp Center, Des Moines, IA. These two teams are closely matched, with both squads posting similar scoring differentials this season. This projects as a competitive contest that could go either way. On offense, Drake averages 73.3 points per game, which exceeds what the S Illinois defense typically allows (73.0 PPG). That mismatch could give the home side opportunities to exploit. The S Illinois offense puts up 74.3 PPG and faces a Drake defense allowing 73.8 PPG. The visitors have the offensive firepower to stay in this one. Home court advantage is worth approximately 3.5 points in NCAAB, and Drake will look to leverage their home crowd. Our model sees this as essentially a coin-flip game, projecting just a 2.3-point margin. Expect a tight finish. The 68% confidence interval ranges from Drake winning by 15 to losing by 10. Our model aligns closely with the market on this one, suggesting the oddsmakers have priced this game efficiently. Look for small edges in the total and moneyline markets to capitalize on any remaining value.

Drake has struggled this season at 12-17 (6-10). The wins have been hard to come by, and the team is looking for answers on both ends of the floor. Home court advantage will be critical for any chance at pulling off an upset. It's been a difficult season for S Illinois at 13-15 (7-6). Traveling to face Drake presents a significant challenge, though every game is a chance to build for the future. When these teams meet, the home team typically has the edge given the crowd advantage and familiarity factor. The team that controls tempo and limits turnovers will likely dictate the outcome of this matchup.