Drake vs UIC Prediction College Basketball Picks 2/28/24

The Drake Bulldogs and UIC Flames face off on Wednesday in a college basketball showdown at UIC Pavilion. Let’s look at the betting matchup and give a free Drake vs UIC prediction.

How Does Drake Bounce Back?

Drake has played pretty well this season, but in the last game against Northern Iowa, they didn’t play well. Drake’s offense scored 77 points, but the defense ended up giving up 91 points and that led to the 14 point defeat. Tucker DeVries was the top player putting up 28 points. The defense just wasn’t good enough, and they are going to need the defense to be better here. Drake on the season is averaging 80 points while their defnese is giving up 69.7 points per game. The offense is ranked 46th in the league, and they are going to need to run up the score here. Drake will face Bradley after this game.

Drake Betting Predictions

• Drake has won 16 of its last 18 night games against the Missouri Valley Conference.
• Each of Drake’s last four games have produced a total of 153+ points.
• Drake has won the first half in 12 of its last 15 night games against Conference opponents.

UIC Defense Wasn’t Good

UIC in the last game faced off against Indiana State and the defense really struggled. They gave up 88 points and even though the offense scored 83 points, but it wasn’t anywhere close to good enough. UIC on the season is averaging 69.8 points while their defense is giving up 70 points per game. The defense is ranked 119th but that raised a couple of points in the last game. Isaiah Rivera has been the top player for UIC averaging 15.2 points while shooting 46.1 percent from the field. 

UIC Betting Predictions

• UIC has lost 17 of its last 21 night games against the Missouri Valley Conference.
• Eight of UIC’s last 10 games against Conference opponents at Credit Union 1 Arena have produced a total of 145 or fewer points.
• UIC has lost the first half in six of its last eight night games against the Missouri Valley Conference.

Drake vs UIC Betting Prediction

Drake is going to have no issue against the UIC defense, but I also expect their offense will make more stops this game. Drake is averaging 80 points per game and they are going to score at least that many points. UIC won’t be keeping up, and it will be a blowout victory. UIC doesn’t really have anyone to slow down DeVries. Back Drake to win this game and cover the spread. This is one of my favorite plays on the board.

Shane Mickle's Pick: Drake -8.5