Sunday, March 3rd | 3:30 PM EST | ESPN2
The Bradley Braves head to Des Moines to take on the Drake Bulldogs in a game predicted by KenPom to be the most thrilling of the day! This clash features the #2 and #3 teams in the Missouri Valley Conference, both hungry for a shot at the NCAA Tournament.
Top Seeds on the Line
Both Bradley (13-6 MVC, 21-9 overall) and Drake (15-4 MVC, 24-6 overall) trail conference leader Indiana State. Drake boasts a perfect 15-0 home record, while Bradley has a respectable 6-5 mark on the road.
Tournament Chances
Teamrankings.com paints an interesting picture for their NCAA Tournament hopes. Drake sits with a 45% chance to make the dance, while Bradley faces a tougher climb at 21%.
Revenge on the Mind?
These teams last met on February 10th, with Drake edging out Bradley 74-67 on the road. Bradley will be looking to return the favor and climb the MVC standings.
Recent Form
Bradley is on fire, winning three straight and four of their last five games. Drake is no slouch either, taking six victories in their last seven outings.
Key Players to Watch
Bradley boasts a balanced attack with Connor Hickman, Duke Deen, and Malevy Leons all averaging 14 points per game. Drake counters with the explosive Tucker DeVries, leading the team with a whopping 21.7 points per game.
Prediction
Our model predicts a close battle, favoring Drake by a narrow 5-point margin (83-78). However, with both teams hungry for a win and a potential NCAA Tournament berth, expect a wild finish!
We look for Drake to stay perfect at home. Lay the points!