Drexel Dragons vs Monmouth Hawks Picks and Predictions for Sunday March 8 2026
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The Drexel Dragons and Monmouth Hawks meet in the CAA Championship Quarterfinal on Sunday, March 8, 2026 at CareFirst Arena in Washington, DC. Tipoff is scheduled for 2:30 PM ET and the game will be streamed on FloSports. Drexel advanced to the quarterfinal after winning in the second round, while Monmouth earned a first-round bye after finishing higher in the conference standings. At the time of this writing the odds were not released. Be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for more predictions and expert analysis on today’s biggest college basketball games.
Drexel Looking to Build on Tournament Momentum
The Drexel Dragons enter the quarterfinal with a 17-15 overall record and a 10-8 record in CAA play. Drexel advanced in the tournament with an 84-77 win over Northeastern in the second round on March 7. Over their last five games the Dragons recently won over Northeastern, recently lost to Hofstra, recently won over Campbell, recently won over Towson, and recently won over Northeastern again earlier in the stretch.
The Dragons have been a balanced but defense-oriented team throughout the season. Drexel averages 67.9 points per game while allowing 67.4 points, indicating many close, low-scoring contests. They shoot 44% from the field, collect 35.2 rebounds per game, and average 13.4 assists per game. Defensively the Dragons are disruptive with 3.7 blocks and 6.1 steals per game. Shane Blakeney leads the offense with 14.5 points per game, while Garfield Turner contributes 5.2 rebounds per game to help anchor the frontcourt.
Drexel’s second-round win over Northeastern showcased their ability to score efficiently when needed. Eli Beard led the Dragons with 21 points and also grabbed 7 rebounds, leading the team in both scoring and rebounding during the victory. Drexel shot 51% from the field and 47% from three-point range, which is well above their season averages. The key tournament angle here is the short turnaround, as Drexel must play less than 24 hours after an intense opening-round game while facing a Monmouth team that has been resting since the end of the regular season.
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Monmouth Entering Fresh After First-Round Bye
The Monmouth Hawks come into the quarterfinal with a 17-14 overall record and an 11-7 mark in CAA play, which earned them a bye into the quarterfinal round. Monmouth finished the regular season playing well, recently winning over Northeastern, recently winning over Elon, recently winning over Stony Brook, while also recently losing to College of Charleston and recently losing to UNC Wilmington.
Monmouth has been one of the more efficient offensive teams in the conference, averaging 73.0 points per game while allowing 71.4 points per contest. The Hawks shoot 44% from the field and average 35.5 rebounds per game along with 14.1 assists per contest. Defensively they create opportunities with 7.6 steals and 4.3 blocks per game. Jason Rivera-Torres leads the team with 15.8 points per game and also leads the Hawks with 8.2 rebounds per game, making him the most impactful player on both ends of the floor.
In their most recent game, Monmouth secured an 89-83 win over Northeastern in a high-scoring contest. Kavion McClain led the Hawks with 24 points, while Jason Rivera-Torres controlled the glass with 10 rebounds, leading the team in rebounding. Monmouth shot an impressive 55% from the field and moved the ball well with only six turnovers. The key tournament angle for the Hawks is their rest advantage and offensive rhythm, as they enter the quarterfinal with fresh legs and multiple scoring options capable of stretching the floor.
Drexel Dragons vs Monmouth Hawks Pick
Drexel vs Monmouth Spread Pick
- Monmouth Hawks Moneyline
Monmouth enters this quarterfinal with a clear scheduling advantage after receiving the tournament bye. Drexel had to play a high-energy game the day before, and that type of quick turnaround can impact shooting and defensive intensity. The Hawks also have the most dynamic player on the floor in Jason Rivera-Torres, who leads the team in both scoring and rebounding. With Monmouth’s ability to score efficiently and control the boards, the Hawks should have the edge as the game progresses.
Drexel vs Monmouth Total Pick
- Over
I like the over in this matchup because Monmouth tends to play in higher-scoring games, averaging 73 points per contest while allowing more than 71 points per game. Drexel showed in its last outing that it can score efficiently when the shots are falling, hitting over 50% from the field against Northeastern. With Monmouth pushing the pace and Drexel already in tournament rhythm, I expect both teams to generate enough offense to push this total upward.
Final Score Prediction: Monmouth Hawks 76, Drexel Dragons 71
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