Drake Bulldogs vs UIC Flames NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/1/25
Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Bulldogs versus the Flames? Tip off is at at 3:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on ESPN+. The game will be played at Credit Union 1 Arena in Chicago, IL. Drake is favored by -6.5 in this Missouri Valley conference showdown. The game’s over/under is currently at 131.5 points.
DRAKE BULLDOGS VS UIC FLAMES BETTING PICK
The Pick: UIC Flames +6.5
This game will be played at Credit Union 1 Arena at 3:00 ET on Wednesday, January 1st.
WHY BET THE UIC FLAMES:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 77-69 in favor of the Flames.
- Not only will UIC pick up the win, but look for them to cover at +6.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 131.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 146 points.
Will Drake Win on the Road?
Drake improved to 10-0 on the season with a 65-46 win over Belmont on Sunday. The Bulldogs, who were favored by 8.5 points, covered the spread in the victory.
Drake took control early, leading 39-21 at halftime. The second half was more evenly matched, with Drake outscoring Belmont 26-25. The game’s total points of 111 fell well short of the 140.5 O/U line.
Drake’s offense put up 65 points in their last game, shooting 47.1% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 52.9%. They hit 56.2% of their two-point attempts, but struggled from deep, connecting on just 31.6% of their threes (6/19).
At the free-throw line, the Bulldogs shot 73.3%, making 11 of 15 attempts. Bennett Stirtz led the way with 20 points and 4 assists, while Daniel Abreu added 15 points, hitting 3 of 9 from beyond the arc.
Drake’s defense gave up 46 points in their last game, with their opponent shooting 47% from the field on 24/51 attempts. Inside the arc, they allowed 18/32 shooting, which is 56%.
From three-point range, Drake’s defense held their opponent to 6/19 shooting, or 31%. They also sent them to the free-throw line 15 times, where they made 11, shooting 73%. Drake gave up 9 offensive rebounds.
Do the Flames Have What it Takes at Home?
UIC improved to 6-4 on the season with a 73-67 win over Illinois State on Sunday. The Flames were +4.5 point underdogs going into the game and not only pulled off the upset but also covered the spread.
Trailing 35-33 at halftime, UIC turned things around in the second half, outscoring Illinois State 40-32. The total points for the game came in just under the 142.5 O/U line.
UIC’s offense put up 73 points in their last game, shooting 46.2% from the field. They hit 47.1% from beyond the arc, going 8-for-17, and finished with an effective field goal percentage of 53.8%.
At the free-throw line, the Flames connected on 77.3% of their attempts, making 17 of 22. Malachi Poindexter led the team with 20 points, while Sasa Ciani added 16 points and 9 rebounds, shooting 60% from the floor.
Despite UIC’s defense holding their opponent to 67 points, the Flames couldn’t capitalize offensively. They shot 39% from the field, connecting on 23 of 58 attempts.
UIC found more success inside, hitting 53% of their two-point shots (17/32), but struggled from beyond the arc, making just 6 of 26 threes (23%). They also went 15/21 from the free-throw line, a 71% clip, and gave up 9 offensive rebounds.