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The Drake Bulldogs (5-0) and the Vanderbilt Commodores (6-0) meet Sunday in the Championship of the Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic. Tip-off is 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Drake vs. Vanderbilt odds as we make our expert college basketball picks and predictions.
Drake beat the Florida Atlantic Owls 75-63 on Friday, covering as a 3-point underdog as the Under 143 hit. Drake dominated the glass, outrebounding the Owls 32-23. G Mitch Mascari led all scorers with 22 points.
Vanderbilt beat the Seton Hall Pirates 76-60 on Friday, covering as a 5.5-point favorite as the 136 total pushed. The Commodores were dominant defensively, forcing 16 turnovers. G Tyler Nickel led all scorers with 24 points and contributed 4 rebounds to help Vanderbilt maintain its perfect start to the season.
– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll
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Drake at Vanderbilt odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college basketball odds. Lines last updated at 7:27 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Drake +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | Vanderbilt -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Drake +3.5 (-105) | Vanderbilt -3.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 143.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Drake at Vanderbilt picks and predictions
Prediction
Vanderbilt 71, Drake 70
Moneyline
PASS.
This will be a great matchup between 2 teams playing excellent basketball. It’s too close to call, so I’m avoiding the moneyline. Instead, I’m focusing on the spread and taking Drake with the points. This should be a tightly contested game, and I like the Bulldogs to cover.
Against the spread
BET DRAKE +3.5 (-105).
The championship game in Charleston promises to be an exciting matchup, showcasing two programs on the rise. Vanderbilt plays at a faster pace, but Drake has made noticeable strides defensively in this tournament and will try to slow down the Commodores and exploit their defensive gaps.
Vanderbilt allows 43.4% shooting from the field and 38% from beyond the arc, while Drake hits 39% from deep and scores 108 points per 100 possessions. Drake’s experienced squad, including veterans from coach Ben McCollum’s previous school, will be a tough challenge. While Vanderbilt’s scoring abilities make them the favorite, Drake is a live underdog. Take the points.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 143.5 (-105).
Drake has proven its defensive ability in this tournament, holding FAU to 63 points and the Miami Hurricanes to the 69 points despite their high-scoring offenses. The Bulldogs have hit the Under in 3 of their last 4, while Vanderbilt is 1-2-1 against the Over in their last 4. Drake’s slower pace (343rd on KenPom) allows them to control the game tempo and run an efficient offense, averaging 75.4 points per game. Although Vanderbilt averages 85 points, Drake’s methodical approach should keep the total Under 143.5.
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