Drake Bulldogs vs UIC Flames Picks and Predictions for Saturday March 7 2026
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The Drake Bulldogs and UIC Flames meet in the MVC Tournament Semifinal on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 PM ET, and the game will be televised on CBSSN. UIC is favored by 5.5 points with a total set at 144.5. If you are looking for more insights on today’s college basketball action, be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for additional predictions and expert analysis.
Drake Bulldogs Surging at the Right Time
The Drake Bulldogs enter the MVC semifinal with a 14-19 overall record and a 6-14 mark in MVC play. Despite their sub-.500 season, the Bulldogs have found momentum in the conference tournament, advancing with back-to-back wins over Belmont and Southern Illinois. Over their last five games, Drake has recently won over Belmont and Southern Illinois, while recently losing to Northern Iowa, Valparaiso, and Southern Illinois earlier in the stretch.
Offensively, Drake averages 75.0 points per game while allowing 74.9 points per contest. The Bulldogs shoot 44% from the field, pull down 35.7 rebounds per game, and average 13.3 assists per contest. On the defensive end, Drake contributes 5.5 steals and 3.1 blocks per game, showing some ability to create turnovers and protect the rim.
In their impressive quarterfinal win over Belmont, Jalen Quinn delivered a huge performance with 31 points, attacking the defense and converting 13-of-16 free throws. Owen Larson led the team on the glass with 8 rebounds while also contributing 8 assists, helping facilitate the offense. Drake shot an outstanding 60% from the field and 42% from three-point range in that game, and if the Bulldogs can replicate even part of that offensive efficiency on the short turnaround, they will have a chance to keep this semifinal competitive.
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UIC Flames Carry Confidence into Semifinal
The UIC Flames come into the semifinal with an 18-14 overall record and a 12-8 MVC record. UIC advanced with a 92-79 win over Murray State in the quarterfinal round. Over their last five games, the Flames have recently won over Murray State, Bradley, and Evansville, while recently losing to Indiana State and Valparaiso.
UIC has been one of the more balanced teams in the Missouri Valley Conference this season. The Flames average 75.3 points per game while allowing just 70.2 points per contest, demonstrating strong defensive discipline. They shoot 45% from the field, collect 36.5 rebounds per game, and average 14.5 assists per contest. Defensively, they generate 8.2 steals and 3.7 blocks per game, often turning those defensive plays into transition scoring opportunities.
In the quarterfinal victory over Murray State, Elijah Crawford led the Flames with 19 points while also dishing out 6 assists to control the offense. Rashund Washington Jr. dominated the boards with 9 rebounds, helping UIC secure a 43-32 rebounding advantage. The Flames shot 54% from the field in that game, and their ability to control the glass and limit second-chance opportunities could play a key role again in this semifinal matchup.
Drake vs UIC Pick
Drake vs UIC Spread Pick
- Pick: UIC Flames -5.5
UIC enters this semifinal as the more balanced team with a clear defensive edge. While Drake has played extremely well in the tournament so far, including the surprising win over Belmont, the Bulldogs are now facing a Flames team that rebounds well and forces turnovers at a high rate. Drake is also playing its third game in three days, which could become a factor late in the game. With fresher legs and stronger defensive numbers, UIC has a good chance to control the pace and pull away down the stretch.
Drake vs UIC Total Pick
- Pick: Over 144.5
I like the over 144.5 in this matchup because both teams have shown strong offensive rhythm in the tournament. Drake just scored 100 points against Belmont, while UIC put up 92 points in the quarterfinal win over Murray State. Both teams also shot over 50% from the field in those games, showing how efficient their offenses can be when they find a rhythm. With both teams playing confidently on the offensive end, this semifinal matchup has strong potential to turn into a high-scoring game.
Final Score Prediction: UIC 78, Drake 72
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