SportsCollege Basketball

Drake vs. Belmont: MVC Tournament Preview 2026

3 months agoUS
Drake vs. Belmont: MVC Tournament Preview 2026Source: cbssports.com
A look at the Drake Bulldogs vs. Belmont Bruins quarterfinal matchup in the 2026 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. Belmont, the top seed, looks to secure their first-ever MVC Tournament title, while Drake aims for their fourth consecutive title.

Key Insights

Belmont is favored with an 11.5-point spread.

The over/under for the game is set at 153.5 points.

Belmont swept the season series against Drake.

Drake is looking to win their fourth MVC Tournament title in a row.

Belmont is seeking their first-ever MVC Tournament title.

The SportsLine Projection Model predicts the Over will hit, projecting 157 combined points.

Tyler Lundblade is the go-to guy for Belmont, averaging 15 points per game and shooting 41% from 3.

Jalen Quinn averages 19 points per game for Drake and scored 22 points in the first-round win.

In-Depth Analysis

The Belmont Bruins (26-5, 16-4 MVC) face the Drake Bulldogs (13-19, 6-14 MVC) in the 2026 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament quarterfinal. Belmont is favored, but Drake hopes to pull off an upset.

Belmont has a high-functioning offense, ranking 35th in offensive efficiency. Their ball movement is excellent, with 61% of made shots coming off an assist. They also excel in shooting, ranking fifth in 2-point percentage (61.1%) and second in 3-point percentage (41.2%). Tyler Lundblade, the MVC Player of the Year, leads the team with 15 points per game and a 41% 3-point shooting rate. The Bruins also have size, with four 6-foot-9 players logging meaningful minutes.

Drake's defense has struggled, particularly with defending the three, and they don't force many turnovers. Four of their five starters are 6-foot-6 or shorter, creating mismatches. Jalen Quinn is Drake's primary scorer, averaging 19 points per game. Drake relies heavily on the 3-point shot, but they shoot only 34% from that range.

Considering these factors, the game is projected to be high-scoring, with the SportsLine model favoring the Over. However, the venue (Enterprise Center) is known for hard rims, which could impact shooting percentages.

FAQs

Q: What is the spread for the Drake vs. Belmont game?

Belmont is favored by 11.5 points.

Q: What is the over/under for the game?

The over/under is set at 153.5 points.

Q: Who is Belmont’s key player?

Tyler Lundblade, averaging 15 points per game.

Q: Who is Drake’s leading scorer?

Jalen Quinn, averaging 19 points per game.

Key Takeaways

Belmont is the favorite due to their strong offense and size.

Drake needs a strong performance from Jalen Quinn and improved 3-point shooting to compete.

The game is expected to be high-scoring, but the venue could affect shooting.

Belmont’s efficient offense and Drake’s defensive struggles are key factors to watch.

Discussion

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