I can't help but go with Bradley in this spot as I think this is a huge mistake on the line. Basically Bradley comes in losing three in a row and that is why they are dogs here. They have played poor basketball and their coach let them know about it telling them to come to practice without their Bradley practice gear. He has made it clear he wants this team to play better.
They are 5-5, but they have played the most challenging non-conference schedule of any other Missouri Conference team in my opinion and they actually won against Illinois. Their opponents have a .624 winning percentage that's compared to Drake's opponent win% of .402. What is Drake all about? Well they live and die by the three pointer. 44% of their shots are three pointers and that is basically what Bradley has to do to beat them on the road. Fortunately this won't be a loud crowd as many of the kids are home for the holidays and as I mentioned Drake is so much higher in the RPI due to the strength of schedule that is more than 140 points off what Bradley has faced.
Now to what I mentioned. Bradley defends the three exceptionally well with their perimeter quickness. Now Drake is ranked #27 in 3PT% but they have not faced any team inside the top 170 in 3PT def%. The last 5 opponents have an average 3 point defense of 226. So you many not have to wonder why they are ranked so high. That includes a home loss to SIU #316 in the RPI and a strength of schedule nearly 200 points lower than Bradley. Drake has yet to show me they can win a game like this. They don't rebound the ball well, and they should be out rebounded here tonight. Bradley on the other hand has had their 3 point defense tested by multiple teams inside the top 100 in 3 point % offense including Iowa State ranked #4. so their rankings are legit and it will show up here tonight.
