Belmont Basketball: Bulldogs vs. Bruins – A Deep Dive into the MVC Tournament Quarterfinals
The ninth-seeded Drake Bulldogs face off against the top-seeded Belmont Bruins in a highly anticipated quarterfinal matchup of the 2026 Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Tournament. This Friday afternoon clash promises excitement as both teams battle for a spot in the semifinals.
Recent Performances
Drake enters the game with momentum, having secured a hard-fought 67-63 victory over Southern Illinois in the first round of Arch Madness. This win snapped a challenging nine-game losing streak for the Bulldogs. Belmont, however, experienced a setback in their regular-season finale, falling to Illinois State 81-74 on Sunday. Despite this loss, the Bruins remain a formidable force with an impressive 26-5 overall record.
Head-to-Head Record & Key Stats
Historically, Drake holds a slight edge in the all-time series with a 5-4 record against Belmont. However, the Bruins dominated the season series, sweeping both contests, including a decisive 103-90 win on February 3rd. Belmont boasts a perfect 2-0 record on neutral courts this season, adding to their home-court advantage.
- Drake Bulldogs: 13-19 overall, 6-14 MVC
- Belmont Bruins: 26-5 overall, 16-4 MVC
Betting Odds & Expert Predictions
According to DraftKings Sportsbook, Belmont is a significant 11.5-point favorite. The over/under for total points scored is set at 153.5. The SportsLine Projection Model, which has a proven track record of success in college basketball predictions, has simulated this game 10,000 times to provide valuable insights.
The model is currently on a strong run, boasting an 11-1 record on its top-rated over/under picks dating back to last season and a 23-17 record on top-rated side picks. It’s a resource bettors shouldn’t ignore.
SportsLine Projection Model Insights
The SportsLine Projection Model predicts the Over on the total (153.5 points), citing that the Over has hit in both previous head-to-head meetings this season, as well as in a significant percentage of recent games for both teams (six of the last ten for Drake and eight of the last ten for Belmont). The model projects a combined score of 157 points, clearing the over in nearly 60% of simulations.
Furthermore, the model forecasts that Drake will have five players scoring 8.4 points or more, led by Jalen Quinn’s projected 20.7 points. Belmont is expected to be led by Tyler Lundblade, projected to score 16.6 points, with two other players exceeding 10.8 points.
Crucially, the model also identifies a side of the spread that hits in over 50% of simulations. You can access these exclusive picks and detailed analysis at SportsLine.
Where to Watch
Catch the Belmont vs. Drake game live from the Enterprise Center in St. Louis at 1 p.m. ET. You can stream the game on Fubo (try for free!).
Promotional Offers
New users can take advantage of exciting promotional offers:
- DraftKings Promo Code: Get $200 in bonus bets with a winning $5+ bet.
- FanDuel Promo Code: Receive $100 in bonus bets with a winning $5+ bet.
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