The Southern Illinois Salukis (23-9) and Drake Bulldogs (25-7) meet Saturday in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament semifinals. Tip-off from Enterprise Center in St. Louis is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Southern Illinois vs. Drake odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Southern Illinois picked up a 54-51 win over Missouri State in the MVC quarterfinals Friday, pushing against the number at most shops while the Under (121.5) came through. SIU is trying to get back to the MVC Final for the first time since 2007, and it is looking to punch its ticket to the Big Dance for the first time since 2006. The Salukis finished up with a 14-6 record in conference play.
Drake is looking to qualify for an MVC Final for a 3rd straight season. It lost to Loyola Chicago in each of the previous 2 conference finals. The 2-seed topped Murray State 74-62 Friday, narrowly covering as an 11-point favorite as the Under (141.5) cashed. The Bulldogs wrapped up conference play at 15-5.
The home side won each regular-season meeting, with SIU winning 53-49 in Carbondale on Jan. 4 and the Bulldogs pounding the Salukis 82-59 on Feb. 11 to easily cash as 5.5-point favorites as the Over (128) connected.