Free College Basketball Pick 2/13/24: Drake @ Evansville
Author: Dylan Lieck | February 13, 2024 | 2:37 P.M. CST
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Game: Drake Bulldogs (20-5, 11-3 MVC) @ Evansville Purple Aces (15-10, 6-8 MVC)
Spread: Drake -8 (-110) | Evansville +8 (-110)
Drake Bulldogs:
20-5 Straight Up (SU)
12-12 Against the Spread (ATS)
12-12 Over/Under (O/U)
Drake on the Road: 4-4 Straight Up
Evansville Purple Aces:
15-10 SU
16-7-1 ATS
9-15 O/U
Summary:
Evansville had a fantastic start to the season with a 10-2 record through their first 12 games. Unfortunately late in non-conference they had a skid, and it bled into their conference play. Early on in conference play they had some really bad losses. They lost 7 of their first 8 conference games, and 5 of those 7 losses came by double digits. 3 of those games came by 20+ points, including a 30+ point loss to Bradley and a 49 point loss to Drake the first time these two teams played. Yup, that’s right, they lost by 49.
So why is the line only 8? Well, Evansville is playing much better basketball as of late. In fact since that 1-7 start, the team is 5-1 since then. They were on a 5-game winning streak until it was broken Saturday in a road matchup with Murray State. It took a Murray State buzzer beating 3 to knock off the Purple Aces on the road, and they played some pretty darn good basketball in the loss.
Additionally, when we look at the other team that embarrassed the Purple Aces in the first round of conference play in Bradley, the Braves won that first matchup (at Bradley) by 37. The second matchup between the two came last week and Evansville actually won the game at right on their home floor, 73-70. It was a wild turnaround (40 points). So even though you look at that first matchup between Drake and Evansville and think, man how can they stay within this number? The truth is that the Purple Aces are going to be very competitive in this one, and I actually think they are a live dog.
Now I wouldn’t bet on them moneyline, but I do believe they have a great shot to stay within this number at +8. The Purple Aces are also shooting the ball at a very high rate recently. The past two games they’re shooting 45% from downtown and they’ve hit 18 threes their last two outings. They’ve hit at least 8 threes in 5 of their last 6.
Overall, I believe that the Evansville is going to keep this game very competitive, and they will be motivated to prove they can beat this Drake team, after already avenging one embarrassing loss earlier this week. Give me the PURPLE ACES in this spot plus the points, as we are backing the home dog!!
OFFICIAL PICK: Evansville Purple Aces +8 (Play to +7, Graded at +8)
