NFL Previews 
MLB Previews 
NBA Previews 
NHL Previews 
Soccer Previews 
Drake Bulldogs vs UIC Flames Picks and Predictions – January 17, 2026
Missouri Valley play heats up on Saturday as the Drake Bulldogs head to Chicago to face the UIC Flames at Credit Union 1 Arena. Tip-off is set for 3:00 PM ET in a game with significant seeding implications. Both teams are fighting for positioning in a tightly packed conference, and this line reflects the intensity.
UIC is currently a -3.5 (-113) home favorite, with a -177 moneyline. Drake sits at +3.5 (-113) and +142 on the moneyline. The total is set at 140.5, with both Over (-112) and Under (-111) carrying minimal juice — a clear signal this could go either way.
Smarter NCAAB Betting Starts Here
Trends, Pro Picks, and Live Edges
Drake Bulldogs vs UIC Flames Odds
Markets shift quickly — make sure to check the latest college basketball odds and line movement here.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drake | +142 | +3.5 (-113) | O 140.5 (-112) |
| UIC | -177 | -3.5 (-113) | U 140.5 (-111) |
Drake Bulldogs Betting Form
Drake enters this contest with a solid road resume and one of the more efficient backcourts in the MVC. The Bulldogs thrive on spacing and controlled pace, leaning on strong guard play and high free-throw conversion. Defensively, they’re above average in transition but have struggled against physical teams inside.
Their biggest strength remains execution in late-game situations — they don’t beat themselves and keep turnovers low. However, rebounding is a concern, especially against more athletic frontcourts, which UIC possesses. If they can limit second-chance points, Drake will be live wire-to-wire.
Track performance trends on the Drake Bulldogs stats and results page
Stay updated on any lineup changes via the Drake injury report
UIC Flames Betting Form
UIC continues to exceed preseason expectations behind a physical, defense-first style that creates chaos in the half court. At home, they’ve covered four of their last five and are forcing over 14 turnovers per game. Their tempo isn’t fast, but they capitalize on mistakes and dominate the glass.
Offensively, the Flames aren’t flashy, but they’re efficient — working the ball inside and getting to the line often. If they control rebounding and limit transition, they can dictate the pace and grind out covers in low-possession games like this one.
See how UIC stacks up via the full UIC Flames schedule and stats
Check injury news and availability on the UIC injury report
Drake vs UIC Matchup Breakdown
This is a classic MVC-style battle — grind-it-out pace, half-court execution, and defensive physicality. The key will be who controls the glass and limits turnovers. Drake has the cleaner guard play, but UIC has the edge in size and home-court energy.
Drake will try to stretch the floor and draw UIC’s bigs away from the basket, while the Flames will aim to punish Drake in the paint. If UIC wins the rebounding battle decisively, they’ll have enough to cover. But if Drake turns it into a free-throw-heavy contest, the points could be valuable.
This is a tight matchup and should stay within two possessions for most of the game.
Need help with sharper matchups like this? Use our sports betting strategy guide to improve your edge.
Follow the Best NCAAB Bettors
Verified Records. Real Results.
Drake vs UIC Predictions and Best Bets
This number feels right — UIC deserves to be a slight favorite at home, but Drake’s poise and ball movement give them the ability to cover, if not steal the win outright. With both teams ranked top 3 in the MVC in defensive efficiency, the total may struggle to get past 140 unless one side shoots well above average.
While UIC has the edge inside, Drake’s ability to keep games close and shoot free throws efficiently leans this toward the dog.
Best Bet: Drake +3.5 (-113)
NCAAB Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
Want more betting intel? ScoresAndStats provides everything you need for daily hoops betting.
Start with today’s college basketball expert picks and projections.
Explore our top sports handicappers for consistent winners.
Follow the handicapper leaderboard or buy sharp picks for higher ROI.
Also check John Wooden Award odds predictions and college basketball championship futures for long-term plays.
