Tip off: 9 PM EST
Spread: IO -7
Total: 136.5
M/L: IO -315, DR +265
Odds from Bookmaker
DRAKE
Last season, Drake finished 13-18 with a 7-11 record in the Missouri Valley Conf. They lost to Bradley by 15 in the opening round of the MVC tournament and did not qualify for any postseason play.
Mediocre seasons are what we have come to expect from the Bulldogs, though, and this year is likely to be no different. Though the Bulldogs have come out of the gates 6-3, they have lost to Boise State, Cal State Northridge, and Ole Miss (excuseable). And none of thier wins have been over any decent programs.
They only had one senior last season, though, so they should be able to build on that and develop good team chemistry. Their best post player Seth VanDeest had shoulder surgery though and probably won’t be ready until January.
Rayvonte Rice is a good wing player and excellent rebounder for his size (5.5 boards per game, 2nd in the team). He gets to the line a lot and is putting up 16.3 points per game this year on 45.9% shooting. Teammate Ben Simons is also putting up 16.8 a game himself, while shooting 49.1% from the floor. the duo combine for nearly half of Drake’s scoring.
IOWA
Last season the Hawkeyes finished with a 11-20 record and they won just 4 of their 18 Big Ten matchups, yet only lost by 5 to powerhouse Michigan State in the first round of the Big Ten tournament.
That silver lining hasn’t meant much this year. They are off to an unimpressive 5-5 start, but maybe that is enough for Hawkeyes fans since it’s nearly half the total games they won last season. They have dropped their last two games to Northern Iowa and Iowa State. They don’t face a ranked opponent until December 31st when they square off against #15 ranked Wisconsin. Following that game, they play 3 more ranked opponents in the next two weeks, so the easy part of the year is over. That has to worry fans and players.
They have a very balanced and deep team, though. Seven players average at least 7 points per game and ten players play at least 10 minutes a game. Other than leading scorer Matt Gatens, no one sees more than 30 a game nor averages double figures. Gatens 13.5 points per game on 45% shooting lead the way. Gatens has had a couple 20+ point games, but it has been offset by scoring under 10 four times already. He must improve his consistency since he is the only player they can count on to take big shots.
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