The Illinois State Redbirds will look to boost their win total and cover the spread when they tip off against the Drake Bulldogs at Redbird Arena on Saturday in NCAA hoops play.

The Redbirds sit at 9-7 (7-6 ATS) on the season. By comparison, the Bulldogs are currently 6-9 (5-8 ATS). Looking to wager on the totals? Illinois State is 6-5 OU, and Drake is 7-3-2 OU.



View Drake vs Illinois State Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
On the Sportsbook NCAA basketball line for this matchup, Illinois State sat as 12-point favorites over at Sportsbook. Also, check out the current total, which often goes up first at online sportsbook Sportsbook.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
According to new college basketball power rankings here, it's the No. 103-ranked Redbirds and the No. 205-rated Bulldogs in this matchup. Computer formulas aimed at predicting NCAAB scores point to a 81-72 win for the Redbirds on Saturday.



How They Match Up:
Rebounding is always a key handicapping consideration and Bulldogs is ranked No. 317 in NCAA hoops at 30.7 per game. Contrast that with Illinois State’s No. 179 mark in the paint. When it comes to three-point shooting, Illinois State is the No. 52-ranked team in the country at 7.6 per game, while Drake rates No. 16 at 8.7 per game.

Defensively, Drake features the nation's No. 286-rated defense on the road, allowing 76.4 points per game. Illinois State, meanwhile, comes in at No. 37 nationally in scoring at home.

Drake lost its last outing, a 91-61 result against Creighton on January 8. They failed to cover in that game as a 16.5-point underdog. The Bulldogs were hammered by Creighton on Tuesday, losing by a 91-61 final at CenturyLink Center in college basketball betting action.

Illinois State lost its last outing, a 62-55 result against Missouri State on January 8. They failed to cover in that game as a 10-point favorite. Jackie Carmichael poured in 21 points and added 12 rebounds in a losing cause for Illinois State on Tuesday, as the Bears rolled to a 62-55 victory over Illinois State at JQH Arena.


Drake Bulldogs Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 8-2
Before playing Evansville are 7-3
After playing Creighton are 5-5
After a loss are 6-4

Illinois State Redbirds Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing Wichita State are 7-3
After playing Missouri State are 6-4
After a loss are 4-6

A few Bulldogs at Redbirds trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Drake's last 6 games when playing on the road against Illinois State
Drake is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Drake is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Illinois State
Illinois State is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Drake
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Illinois State's last 5 games when playing Drake
Illinois State is 18-5 SU in its last 23 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Illinois State's last 6 games when playing at home against Drake


Next up:
Drake home to Evansville, Wednesday, January 16
Illinois State at Wichita State, Wednesday, January 16