Drake Bulldogs vs Wichita State Shockers Prediction, 3/18/2021 College Basketball Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Drake Bulldogs vs Wichita State Shockers

Date: Thursday, March 18, 2021

Location: Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, IN

TV: TBS

Odds/Point Spread: Drake (+2)

The Drake Bulldogs (25-4) go to Mackey Arena on Thursday where they'll meet the Wichita State Shockers (16-5) in the NCAA Tournament. Drake opens this contest as 2-point dogs. The over/under opens at 139.5.

Drake will enter this matchup with a record of 25-4 this year. The Bulldogs are hitting 37.0% on shots from 3-point land (204 of 552) and 71.3% from the free throw line. They average 77.4 pts per contest (47th in D-1) while shooting 49.4% from the floor. They are losing possession via turnover 10.3 times per contest and as a team they commit 15.7 personal fouls on a nightly basis. As a unit, Drake is snagging 36.0 boards per game and has totaled 399 dimes this season, which has them ranked 33rd in D-1 in terms of passing. On the defensive end of the court, the Bulldogs have forced 12.9 turnovers every game and they draw 14.3 fouls. They are conceding 31.6% on shots from beyond the arc and they are ranked 44th in D-1 in points per game from their opponents (64.7). The Bulldogs defensively are giving up an opponent FG percentage of 42.2% (677 of 1,604) and they concede 30.9 boards per game as a basketball team. They currently rank 183rd in D-1 in giving up assists with 309 surrendered so far this year.

The Drake Bulldogs stepped onto the hardwood against the Loyola Ramblers and took a loss by a final of 75-65 in their last contest. Drake wrapped up the game with a 43.6% field goal percentage (24 of 55) and buried 7 out of their 16 shots from beyond the perimeter. When they shot from the charity stripe, the Bulldogs knocked down 10 of 12 shots for a percentage of 83.3%. Regarding hauling in rebounds, they collected 22 with 7 of them being on the offensive end. They also doled out 11 assists for the matchup in addition to forcing the other team into 12 turnovers and getting 6 steals. In regard to the defense, Drake allowed the other team to shoot 59.1% from the field on 26 of 44 shooting. Loyola earned 19 dimes and had 5 steals in this matchup. Moreover, Loyola snagged 28 boards (4 offensive, 24 defensive) and had 4 blocks. Loyola finished 86.7% from the free throw line by burying 13 of their 15 shots. They also buried 10 out of their 17 attempts from distance.

D.J. Wilkins is a player who was a factor in the matchup. He notched 20 points on 6 out of 14 shooting. He was on the court for 40 minutes played and totaled 1 rebound. Wilkins finished 42.9% from the field and also earned 4 assists. Someone else that was a contributor in this contest for the Bulldogs was Tremell Murphy. He pulled down 5 rebounds in his 36 minutes played. He shot 80.0% from the floor in this contest by shooting 8-of-10 (20 points). When all was said and done, Murphy accounted for 2 assists.

Wichita State has a record of 16-5 this season. When it comes to offense, the Shockers are hitting on 40.8% from the floor, which ranks them 323rd in college basketball. Wichita State has totaled 1,520 pts this season (72.4 per game) and they collect 38.0 rebounds per contest. They are dishing out assists 13.3 times per contest (165th in college basketball) and they lose possession by turning the ball over 11.3 times per game. The Shockers commit 15.7 fouls per contest and they go 68.9% from the charity stripe. The Shockers are ranked 95th in D-1 in points per game surrendered with 67.4. The Wichita State defense gives up 29.4% on 3-point attempts (143 of 487) and opponents are making 68.4% of their free throw attempts. They allow 12.3 assists and 39.5 boards every game, which is ranked 125th and 329th in college basketball. They are forcing their opponents into 13.0 TO's every game and have let teams shoot 40.3% from the floor (28th in college hoops).

For their last game, the Wichita State Shockers went home defeated by a final of 60-59 when they played the Cincinnati Bearcats. The Shockers were able to corral 25 defensive rebounds and 3 offensive boards for a total of 28 in this contest. They gave up possession of the ball 14 times, while getting 8 steals in this contest. The Bearcats had 12 fouls in the matchup which got the Shockers to the charity stripe for a total of 12 attempts. They were able to make 6 of the free throw tries for a rate of 50.0%. When discussing shots from beyond the arc, Wichita State knocked down 9 of their 22 attempts (40.9%). When the final whistle blew, the Shockers ended up going 22 for 55 from the floor which gave them a rate of 40.0%. The Shockers permitted the Bearcats to make 22 of their 55 attempts from the floor which gave them a rate of 40.0% in the matchup. They finished 29.4% from distance by connecting on 5 out of 17 and ended up going 11 out of 18 from the charity stripe (61.1%). Regarding rebounds, Wichita State permitted Cincinnati to snag 35 overall (6 on the offensive side).

Alterique Gilbert ended up having an impact for the Shockers for the contest. He knocked down 6 of 16 in this contest giving him a rate of 37.5%, and had 4 rebounds. Gilbert racked up 14 points in his 36 minutes of playing time and had 5 dimes in the game. One more player that ended being a contributor for Wichita State was Tyson Etienne. He accumulated 3 assists in 37 minutes on the court, and he shot 4 of 11 from the floor. Etienne wrapped this one up going 36.4% from the field and also contributing 13 points and 4 total rebounds.

Who will win tonight's college basketball game against the spread?

Guy Bruhn's Pick: Take Wichita State (-2)

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here