NFL Previews 
MLB Previews 
NBA Previews 
NHL Previews 
Soccer Previews 
Drake vs Bradley Picks and Predictions – January 7, 2026
Drake heads to Carver Arena on Wednesday night looking to halt a rocky stretch as they face off against a Bradley team that’s thriving at home. Tipoff is set for 8:00 PM ET in Peoria, with the Braves laying -6.5 on their home floor. Bradley enters 12–3 overall and near the top of the Missouri Valley standings, while the Bulldogs sit at 10–5, but have stumbled in recent outings. With league positioning tightening up, this is a crucial midweek test for both programs — especially Drake, which is already on the wrong side of a multi-team logjam.
The line opened around -5 and moved quickly toward Bradley, signaling sharp interest in the home side. The total sits at 144.5, reflecting both teams’ solid perimeter shooting and fast-break potential. Drake has talent but has struggled defensively on the road, while Bradley’s discipline and length have made them one of the more reliable ATS teams in the conference.
Follow Winning Trends Across Every League
The Smartest Way to Bet Daily
Drake vs Bradley Odds
These are the current betting lines for Drake vs Bradley. Bettors should monitor the latest college basketball odds for any updates or movement as tipoff approaches.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drake Bulldogs | +242 | +6.5 (-107) | O 144.5 (-110) |
| Bradley Braves | -302 | -6.5 (-113) | U 144.5 (-110) |
Drake Betting Form
Drake comes into this one just 1–3 in their last four games, and while the Bulldogs can score in bunches, the defense has been a consistent liability — especially away from Des Moines. They rank in the bottom half of the Missouri Valley in defensive efficiency and have been burned from deep far too often. Opponents are shooting 36% from beyond the arc against Drake over the last five outings.
Offensively, they lean on guard play to create offense, with limited post presence and inconsistent rim pressure. They play at a moderate tempo and don’t force many turnovers, which limits transition chances. While their backcourt can shoot — particularly in catch-and-shoot sets — they’ve struggled to generate clean looks against longer defenders. Availability matters here, so monitor the Drake injury report before tipoff. For more on this team’s trends, stats and recent results, check the Drake stats and results.
Bradley Betting Form
Bradley is 8–0 at home this season, and they’ve covered the spread in six of those games. They slow teams down with physical half-court defense, and they force tough midrange shots at one of the highest rates in the league. The Braves don’t play fast, but they’re efficient on both ends — and their offensive rebounding gives them second-chance buckets that wear down opponents.
Offensively, they run through their bigs and play inside-out basketball, but they also have guards who can knock down open threes when the defense collapses. Their rim protection is legit, and they rarely foul, which limits free points for opposing teams. Crowd energy at Carver Arena often fuels early momentum, making Bradley a dangerous first-half side. Check the Bradley injury report for any late updates. Full team info is on their Bradley schedule and stats.
Drake vs Bradley Matchup Breakdown
Bradley will aim to control pace and keep Drake from turning this into a rhythm game. Drake needs to hit shots early and get their guards downhill, but Bradley’s length on the perimeter and rim deterrence will make that tough. Drake doesn’t attack the offensive glass, so if their first-shot efficiency is shaky, they’ll struggle to keep up.
Meanwhile, Bradley’s ability to dominate the paint and crash the glass should create a possession edge. Drake’s defense isn’t built to handle multiple post touches or physical sets, especially if foul trouble hits. Turnovers may not be a big factor — both teams take care of the ball — but rebounding and FT rate will be.
Key matchup angles:
- Bradley’s interior strength vs Drake’s soft paint defense
- Pace edge: Bradley slows tempo to its liking at home
- First-half energy edge for Bradley
- Three-point variance: Drake needs to shoot 40%+ to cover
For a sharper betting perspective, check our college basketball betting guide to explore matchup models, advanced tempo metrics, and in-game angles that often decide these types of conference clashes.
Get Verified Picks From Elite Cappers
Built on Stats, Proven by Results
Drake vs Bradley Predictions and Best Bets
The market moved toward Bradley for good reason. At home, they’ve been dominant — both straight up and against the number — and their strengths match up perfectly against Drake’s weaknesses. Unless Drake’s guards go nuclear from deep, it’s hard to see them scoring efficiently enough to stay inside this number. I think -6.5 is fair, and I’d play it to -7.
As for the total, both teams can shoot, but the tempo likely gets dragged into a half-court battle. Bradley’s defense at home is elite, and they rarely allow second chances or easy trips to the line. Unless Drake gets hot early and forces pace, I lean under 144.5.
Best Bet: Bradley -6.5 (-113)
NCAAB Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
For more betting confidence, check out today’s college basketball picks from a deep roster of expert handicappers. Each capper’s record is tracked transparently, so you can follow winners with long-term profit.
Our top sports handicappers cover a range of betting styles — sides, totals, player props — and you can view the full handicapper leaderboard to compare results. Whether you’re tailing hot streaks or fading cold ones, there’s value in tracking trends.
Looking to go premium? You can buy expert picks for full-game analysis, bet tiering, and insider insights.
