Drake vs Missouri - March Madness Betting Picks

The Matchup: No. 11 Drake (30-3) faces No. 6 Missouri (22-11) in Wichita. Drake’s suffocating D (58.4 PPG allowed, 2nd nationally) and slow pace (364th in tempo) meet Missouri’s high-octane offense (84.5 PPG, 5th in efficiency). Bulldogs’ Bennett Stirtz (19.1 PPG) vs Tigers’ Caleb Grill (13.7 PPG off bench). MVC champs vs SEC depth.

Spread: Drake +6.5 (-110, Caesars). Missouri’s 18-14 ATS, but 4-6 in last 10; Drake’s 17-14 ATS, 8-0 as dogs. Bulldogs’ 6-0 in Quad 1/2 games (Vandy, K-State wins) show grit. Missouri’s lost 4 of 5—Drake keeps it close. Take Drake +6.5.

Player Prop: Bennett Stirtz O17.5 points (-115, DraftKings). MVC Player of the Year averages 19.1 PPG, hit 20+ in 8 of last 10. Missouri’s 167th-ranked 3PT defense gives him room to cook.

Total: 133.5 leans OVER (-110, FanDuel). Missouri’s pace and scoring push it; Drake’s turnover-forcing D (20th in steals) adds points. Over’s 8-2 in Mizzou’s last 10.

Why Drake Covers: Elite defense, battle-tested vs power teams, and Missouri’s late fade. Bulldogs could steal this outright.