The Missouri Tigers (No. 6 seed) and Drake Bulldogs (No. 11 seed) meet in the NCAA Tournament first round in a classic offense vs. defense showdown. Missouri’s explosive offense will be tested against Drake’s top-ranked defense, setting up an intriguing battle that could result in an upset.
Below, we break down the betting odds, key stats, best bets, and predictions for this March Madness showdown in this game that is one of the most expected by Iowa basketball fans.
📊 Missouri vs. Drake Odds & Betting Lines
📌 Odds are subject to change. Check sportsbooks for the latest lines.
The Tigers are favored based on their offensive firepower, but Drake’s elite defense makes this a compelling underdog pick.
🐯 Missouri Tigers Betting Analysis & Key Stats
The Missouri Tigers enter the tournament with a 22-11 record, featuring one of the most potent offenses in college basketball.
✅ PPG (Points Per Game): 84.5 (Ranked 9th nationally)
✅ FG% (Field Goal Percentage): 47.9%
✅ 3PT% (Three-Point Percentage): 35.5%
✅ Turnovers per Game: 10.4
✅ Defensive Rating: 73.8 PPG allowed
🔑 Key Players to Watch – Missouri Tigers
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Mark Mitchell (F): 14.1 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 1.9 APG
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Caleb Grill (G): 13.7 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 2.8 three-pointers made per game
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Tamar Bates (G): 13.3 PPG, 2.7 RPG
🔥 Missouri’s Strengths:
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High-Scoring Offense: The Tigers rank in the top 10 nationally in scoring.
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Efficient Shooting: Missouri converts nearly 48% of field goal attempts.
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Balanced Attack: Multiple players contribute to scoring, keeping defenses guessing.
⚠️ Missouri’s Weaknesses:
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Defensive Struggles: Allowing 73.8 PPG, they struggle against disciplined teams.
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Three-Point Dependence: 35.5% from deep is solid, but if shots don’t fall, they can struggle.
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Turnover Issues: Averaging 10.4 turnovers per game, giving opponents extra possessions.
🐶 Drake Bulldogs Betting Analysis & Key Stats
The Drake Bulldogs (30-3 record) have one of the best defenses in the country, making them a dangerous lower-seeded team in the tournament.
✅ PPG (Points Per Game): 70.1
✅ FG% (Field Goal Percentage): 45.9%
✅ 3PT% (Three-Point Percentage): 36.1%
✅ Turnovers per Game: 9.5
✅ Defensive Rating: 58.4 PPG allowed (Ranked 1st nationally)
🔑 Key Players to Watch – Drake Bulldogs
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Bennett Stirtz (G): 19.1 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 5.7 APG
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Daniel Abreu (F): 10.4 PPG, 3.3 RPG
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Tavion Banks (F): 9.9 PPG, 4.9 RPG
🔥 Drake’s Strengths:
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Elite Defense: Holding opponents to 58.4 PPG, ranked No. 1 in the nation.
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Disciplined Play: Only 9.5 turnovers per game, limiting mistakes.
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Balanced Scoring: While not explosive, they execute efficiently in the half-court.
⚠️ Drake’s Weaknesses:
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Offensive Limitations: Averaging only 70.1 PPG, they rely on their defense.
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Rebounding Issues: Struggle against bigger teams, allowing second-chance points.
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Pace of Play: If Missouri speeds up the game, Drake could struggle to keep up.
🏀 Missouri vs. Drake Head-to-Head Matchup
| Category | Missouri Tigers | Drake Bulldogs |
|---|---|---|
| PPG | 84.5 | 70.1 |
| FG% | 47.9% | 45.9% |
| 3PT% | 35.5% | 36.1% |
| Turnovers per Game | 10.4 | 9.5 |
| Points Allowed per Game | 73.8 | 58.4 |
📌 Key Takeaway: Missouri’s offense is explosive, but Drake’s defense is lockdown. The winner will be decided by which team controls the tempo.
💰 Betting Predictions & Best Bets
🔥 Expert Pick: Drake +6.5 (-110)
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Drake’s defense can keep the game close. Even if they lose, covering the spread is very possible.
📉 Best Prop Bets
✅ Under 132.5 Total Points (-110)
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Drake’s slow pace and defense should limit scoring chances.
✅ Caleb Grill Over 2.5 Three-Pointers Made (-105)
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Missouri’s sharpshooter should get plenty of attempts from deep.
✅ Bennett Stirtz Over 5.5 Assists (+120)
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Drake’s primary playmaker could rack up assists against Missouri’s weak defense.
📢 Final Score Prediction: Missouri 72, Drake 66
🏀 Expect Missouri’s offensive talent to ultimately win out, but Drake will keep this game close with their elite defense.
📺 Where to Watch & How to Bet
📅 Date: Thursday, March 20, 2025
📍 Location: INTRUST Bank Arena, Wichita, Kansas
📺 TV Broadcast: truTV
🎟️ Tickets: Available via NCAA March Madness site
🚀 Conclusion: Offense vs. Defense – Who Wins?
The Missouri vs. Drake matchup is a classic contrast of styles. Missouri will look to push the pace, while Drake will try to slow the game down and make it a defensive grind.
📌 For bettors, the safest play is Drake +6.5 and the under 132.5. Check out DraftKings promo code here for Missouri vs. Drake matchup.
