The Southern Illinois Salukis (19-7, 11-4 MVC) and Drake Bulldogs (20-6, 11-4) tangle Saturday. Tip-off from The Knapp Center in Des Moines is at 2 p.m. ET (ESPNU). 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 was just 5-4 through its first 9 games of the season, but it has come on strong since. The MVC’s top defense (61.1 points per game allowed) has led the Salukis to a 14-3 mark since that 5-4 start, including a 53-49 win over Drake on Jan. 4.
The Bulldogs tote a 6-game winning streak into Saturday’s contest. Drake has been red-hot from 3-point range, shooting 40% or higher from distance in 5 of those 6 games.
The Salukis and Bulldogs are tied for 1st place in the MVC standings.