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First Four Betting NCAAB: Drake Bulldogs vs. Wichita State Shockers Odds, Picks and Analysis

NCAAB Betting: Drake Bulldogs vs. Wichita State Shockers Odds and Picks

March Madness is an infrequent occurrence for the Drake Bulldogs.  Since 1971 Drake has made the Big Dance only twice.  Thursday marks the second of those two March Madness betting appearances.  Drake is coming off a dream season.  These Bulldogs were ranked for just the second time since 1975.  And they finished a hair behind Loyola-Chicago in the Missouri Valley Conference standings.  Wichita State has a much more accomplished history than Drake.  Including a Final Four berth in 2013.  But the Shockers had to overcome tumult and chaos this year.

Drake Bulldogs vs. Wichita State Shockers Betting Information

Date: Thursday, March 18, 2021
Time: 6:27 p.m. ET
Location: Mackey Arena, West Lafayette, Indiana
TV Coverage: TBS

Drake vs. Wichita State Betting Odds

Team SP/RL TOTAL ML
Drake PK (-110) 141 (-110) -110
Wichita State PK (-110) 141 (-110) -110
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Drake Bulldogs vs. Wichita State Shockers CashBet Wagering Analysis

In this situation, Wichita State is the much better-known online sportsbook brand.  Gamblers remember the Shockers’ Final Four run of 2013. And that Wichita State has made the Big Dance in eight of the last nine years it’s been held.  Drake is a favorite team of sharps.  The Bulldogs are an under-the-radar delight.  In fact, the Bulldogs are one of the most complete full-court teams on the board.  This season Drake bossed the cashier’s cage-like few other teams.  Cause by being a very unknown and excellent team.

Drake Makes Rake at Betting Window

Overall, the Bulldogs have a 2021 March Madness betting record of 25-4 straight up, 20-6-1 against the spread, and 17-10 over the total.  Drake has lost only two of their last eight games to the spread.  Six of their last seven games went over the total.  Overall national metrics show the Bulldogs 43rd out of 350 teams for scoring and 39th for points allowed.  Sharpshooting Drake ranks 10th in the country for field goal percentage.  Further, the Bulldogs are an impressive 39th for 3-point field goal percentage.  Drake is a strong 33rd for defensive rebounding.

Senior forward Shanquan Hemphill has been a cornerstone for Drake’s buildout.  To illuminate, Hemphill leads the Bulldogs with 14.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.  Hemphill is a transfer from Green Bay that has found a home with Drake.  Fashion he failed to score in double digits in just three games this season.

Shockers Shocked in Bad Conference Tournament Loss

Wichita State brings a record of 16-6 straight up, 9-9-1 vs. the odds, and 9-10 under the total.  Late on, the Shockers have failed to pay in their last three-bet on NCAA basketball matchups.  Wichita State ranks 126th out of 350 teams for scoring and 104th for points allowed.  Of major concern is a field goal percentage rank of 309th.  So too is a mark of 288th for defensive rebounding problematic.  In the American Athletic Conference tournament, the Shockers lost to a bad Cincinnati team 60-59.  That debacle is why they ended up in the First Four.

Sophomore guard Tyson Etienne is the sparkplug of the Shockers.  Correlate Etienne led with 17 points per game.

Drake Bulldogs vs. Wichita State Shockers Against the Spread

Drake has covered only four of their last eight as a dog.  But the Bulldogs are 4-2 vs. the odds on a neutral court.  So too, has Drake covered six of their last 11 non-conference games.

Meanwhile, Wichita State is 1-3 vs. the odds in neutral site matchups.  WSU is 9-6-2 on the board against non-conference opponents.  The Shockers have covered only five of their last 12 as chalk.

Drake has covered their last two meetings against Wichita State.  And then four of the last five between these teams went under the total.  He scored in double-digits in eight of his last nine matchups.

Drake Bulldogs vs. Wichita State Shockers CashBet Free Pick  

On this occasion, Drake is in better 2021 March Madness Betting form.  Wichita State’s loss to Cincinnati was a revelation.

Drake vs. Wichita State CashBet Best Bet: 

Drake Bulldogs

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