The Missouri State Bears (9-9, 10-7 ATS, 6-11 O/U) meet with the Drake Bulldogs (14-5, 6-11-1 ATS, 8-10 O/U) in an MVC showdown on Wednesday evening. The Bears collected a home win against Indiana State on Sunday. The Bulldogs resumed their strong play with a home win against Bradley in their previous action. Missouri State posted a 52-49 home win against Drake in the first meeting earlier this month.
The Missouri State Bears are in the win column after a minor two-game slide. They lost two road decisions against Belmont and Illinois State and replied with a solid 64-62 home victory against Indiana State on Sunday to cover the small one-point spread. Missouri State had a four-game winning streak at the start of conference play including a home win against Drake and is 5-3 in MVC action. They have covered the spread in one out of their last three road games.
Chance Moore was held pointless in Sunday’s victory. The sophomore guard is capable of big numbers. Moore scored 18 points against Evansville earlier this month and has registered an average of 12.5 PPG and 4.3 RPG. Donovan Clay is in a groove, sinking at least 20 points in two of his last three games. The senior guard has improved his season average to 10 PPG and 5.8 RPG. Jonathan Mogbo has two double-doubles in MVC play. The junior forward enters with an average of 7.7 PPG and 6.1 RPG.
Clay right on target with the 3.?? pic.twitter.com/FmeEOKmN2l
— Missouri State Basketball (@MSUBearsHoops) January 15, 2023
The Bears are ranked 138th in DI in Ken Pomeroy’s ratings and are 2-5 on the road including a win against Northern Iowa. Missouri State is not a high-scoring team, avenging only 66.2 points on the season, pegging them 319th. They are playing solid defense in MVC play and are limiting opponents to 62.8 points, good for 30th in the country.