Drake Bulldogs vs Lsu Tigers Picks and Predictions November 28th 2025

Game Preview: Drake Bulldogs vs LSU Tigers

LSU steps outside Baton Rouge for the first time this season as the LSU Tigers face the Drake Bulldogs on Friday night in the Emerald Coast Classic at Raider Arena in Destin, Fla. The Tigers sit at 5-0 after another explosive offensive outing, while Drake enters at 4-2, gearing up for its first matchup of the season against a power-conference opponent.

LSU’s 99-73 win over Omaha last Friday extended its streak of scoring 90-plus points in every game this season, a testament to the aggressive, early-attack offense Matt McMahon has emphasized. Max Mackinnon snapped the team’s brief shooting slump by hitting six threes, confirming McMahon’s belief that the Tigers are a better perimeter team than recent percentages suggested. Despite the scoring success, McMahon and players such as Dedan Thomas Jr. highlighted the need to improve defense and rebounding as competition stiffens.

Drake enters with optimism after a lopsided 98-52 win over Division III Buena Vista. While the level of competition increases dramatically Friday, first-year coach Eric Henderson praised his team’s growing chemistry and the competitive spirit that has defined the early season. Okku Federiko led with 16 points and six assists in Drake’s most recent outing, showing improved spacing and pace as the Bulldogs prepare for their only power-conference opponents of the season. Matchups of this nature, with mid-majors stepping into difficult neutral-site environments, are frequently examined within the NCAAB previews portal as bettors gauge scoring translation and efficiency trends.

Odds and Key Information

LSU opened as an 11.5-point favorite, driven by its offensive profile and unbeaten record. Drake’s early-season performance against lower-division competition offers limited comparables, creating a market edge for the Tigers. Bettors surveying the broader college slate on the college basketball odds board will see a total set at 149 — a reflection of LSU’s scoring pace and Drake’s steady shooting metrics.

Drake Bulldogs Outlook

Drake’s two most convincing wins have come against non-Division I opponents, but there are encouraging tendencies in their statistical profile. The Bulldogs average 41.5 rebounds per game, ranking 56th nationally, a trait that could help prevent LSU from dominating second-chance scoring. Their offense remains well-balanced, with a solid 47 percent collective shooting mark and 9 made threes per game providing needed spacing.

Okku Federiko has emerged as a multi-level creator, highlighted by his efficient outing against Buena Vista. Jalen Quinn delivered steady scoring and playmaking, and Drake’s overall ball movement has improved each outing under Henderson. Their transition defense and rotations will be pivotal against LSU, as mid-majors often struggle to contain elite SEC athletes. Drake’s 2-0 record in true away games gives them confidence entering a neutral floor environment, and efficiency trends showcased in the NCAAB team index reveal upside when the Bulldogs control pace and limit turnovers.

Drake’s clearest path lies in slowing tempo, maintaining defensive positioning and forcing LSU to play deeper into the shot clock. If the Bulldogs find rhythm from the arc, their perimeter presence can extend this matchup beyond the projected spread.

LSU Tigers Outlook

Simply put, LSU has overwhelmed opponents through extreme scoring efficiency. The Tigers rank second nationally at 98.6 points per game and shoot 53.8 percent from the field, fourth in the country. They have multiple double-figure scorers, and their unselfish play is evident in consistent assist totals. Dedan Thomas Jr. has held steady control of the offense, delivering 15 points and 10 assists against Omaha. Mackinnon’s six threes in the same game highlighted the Tigers’ ability to heat up from outside.

Michael Nwoko, averaging 19 points per game, remains a matchup problem due to his mobility and strength at the rim. LSU thrives in early offense, pressuring defenses with quick-hit actions, aggressive cuts and open-floor pace. Their statistical profile mirrors some of the high-scoring teams frequently highlighted throughout the college basketball picks page.

Still, LSU acknowledges its areas of vulnerability. Defensive lapses and rebounding inconsistencies have surfaced even in blowout wins. Against Drake, the Tigers must neutralize second-chance opportunities, stay disciplined in transition defense and avoid early foul trouble. The neutral-site setting provides a mild challenge, but LSU’s scoring depth gives them flexibility to withstand runs.

Key Matchup Table

Category	Drake Bulldogs	LSU Tigers
Record	4-2	5-0
Offensive Strength	47% FG; 9 threes/game	98.6 PPG; 53.8% FG; elite tempo
Key Scorers	Federiko 16 last game; Quinn steady	Nwoko 19 PPG; Mackinnon 22 vs Omaha
Rebounding	41.5 RPG; plus-size guards	Needs consistency; athletic second-chance play
Pace Profile	Controlled, half-court centered	Fast, aggressive, early-offense attack
Neutral-Site Form	2-0 away this season	First game outside Baton Rouge

Betting Trends

LSU is perfect both straight up and against the spread as a favorite, leaning heavily on its offensive consistency. They’ve hit the over in four of their last five games, driven by pace and shot-making. Drake enters 4-2 straight up and has played solidly as an underdog, but the step up in opposition is significant.

Totals markets have gravitated toward the over in LSU contests due to the Tigers’ ability to produce scoring runs of 10-0 or more multiple times per game. Drake’s three-point frequency adds volatility, something tracked across the college basketball odds hub. However, neutral-site settings can sometimes create slower starts, a factor bettors weigh before committing to full-game totals.

The Lean

LSU’s offensive ceiling is difficult for mid-majors to withstand. Drake’s rebounding can keep possessions competitive early, but LSU’s advantage in athleticism, spacing and tempo provides consistent separation potential. With multiple scoring threats and top-tier efficiency, the Tigers project to break 90 points again.

Projected Score: LSU 95, Drake 80
Best Spread Pick: LSU -11.5
Total Lean: Over 149

Neutral-site games often favor the more explosive roster, a theme highlighted throughout the NCAAB previews hub.

Why You Need Expert Picks

Non-conference tournaments introduce situational variables such as travel, depth rotation changes and unfamiliar gym environments. Bettors tracking successful specialists on the Handicappers Leaderboard can identify sharp early-season strategies, particularly in high-tempo matchups involving power-conference favorites. Expert projections help clarify pace expectations, shot-quality models and potential efficiency dips.

For broader betting strategy development, the expert betting guide provides frameworks applicable to matchups like Drake vs LSU, including tempo projection, lineup analytics and rotation scouting.