Missouri vs Drake prediction, picks for 2025 men's NCAA Tournament
Editor's note: Follow Men's March Madness live scores and updates for Thursday's first-round games.
The opening round of the 2025 men's NCAA Tournament is in full swing today, including a game between Missouri and Drake.
The Missouri Tigers finished the regular season at 22-11, including 10-8 in the SEC, and made it to the quarterfinals of the conference tournament. That earned the Tigers a No. 6 seed in the 2025 March Madness bracket. Their opponent, the Drake Bulldogs, are back in the NCAA Tournament for a third year in a row after a program-record 30 wins and taking the Missouri Valley Conference title. That earned them a No. 11 seed in coach Ben McCollum's first season.
Missouri enters the tournament 15th in the KenPom rankings with the fifth-ranked offense and 70th-ranked defense. Drake ranks 58th overall, led by the 46th-ranked defense and the 76th-ranked offense.
Here's how our experts see the Round of 64 clash playing out. Be sure to check out Paste BN's complete March Madness bracket predictions to see our team's picks for every game. While you're at it, don't forget to read our tournament bold predictions and upset picks.
Missouri vs. Drake picks and predictions
- Jordan Mendoza: Drake
- Paul Myerberg: Missouri
- Erick Smith: Missouri
- Eddie Timanus: Drake
- Dan Wolken: Missouri
- Craig Meyer: Drake 66, Missouri 65
- Calum McAndrew, Columbia Daily Tribune: Missouri 81, Drake 72
It's as close to an even split as you can get with our experts. Myerberg, Smith, Wolen and McAndrew are relying on the Tigers' potent offense to come up big in the first round, led by top scorer Mark Mitchell. Mendoza, Timanus and Meyer say Drake, the MVC's only team in the Round of 64, finally get their first tournament win since 1971.
Missouri vs. Drake date, start time, how to watch
- Game Day: Thursday, March 20, 2025
- Game Time: 7:35 p.m. ET
- Location: Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita, Kan.
- TV Channel: truTV
- Live Stream: Sling - Watch Now!
Watch Missouri vs. Drake on SlingTV
Missouri vs. Drake odds
Odds as of Wednesday, March 19 via BetMGM.
- Spread: Missouri -6.5 (-102)
- Moneyline Favorite: Missouri -275
- Moneyline Underdog: Drake +220
- Total: 133.5
March Madness game-by-game predictions for Thursday
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- Drake vs Missouri prediction, picks
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