The Drake Bulldogs take on the Vanderbilt Commodores in Charleston, SC, in the Charleston Classic championship game. Tip-off is set for 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The Commodores are favored by 4 points on the spread with a moneyline of -198. The total is set at 144 points.
Here’s my Drake vs Vanderbilt predictions and college basketball picks for November 24, 2024.
Drake vs Vanderbilt Prediction
My Pick: Vanderbilt -3.5
My Drake vs Vanderbilt best bet is on the Commodores spread, with the best odds currently available at BetMGM. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Drake vs Vanderbilt Odds
| Drake Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4 -115 | 144 -108 / -112 | +164 |
| Vanderbilt Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4 -105 | 144 -108 / -112 | -198 |
- Drake vs Vanderbilt spread: Vanderbilt -4
- Drake vs Vanderbilt over/under: 144 points
- Drake vs Vanderbilt moneyline: Vanderbilt -198, Drake +164
- Drake vs Vanderbilt best bet: Vanderbilt -3.5
Spread
I'm taking Vandy on the spread, but I wouldn't take it higher than 4.
Moneyline
I'm avoiding the moneyline.
Over/Under
I'm passing on the total.
My Pick: Vanderbilt -3.5
Drake vs Vanderbilt College Basketball Betting Preview
It's admirable how Drake has preformed in this event.
The Bulldogs' three leading scorers are Division II transfers who never played a second at this level before this season.
What makes this run even more special is the Bulldogs have a new head coach — Ben McCollum — and they have very little depth.
I don't think anyone expected Drake — an essentially brand new roster with a brand new head coach — to upset Miami (FL) as a near 10-point underdog at a neutral site. But turning around and beating FAU a day later — after their three leading scorers played the entire game against the Canes — is even more impressive.
The Bulldogs outhustled Miami — every 50-50 ball went their way — and they are playing like their season is on the line.
So, why am I fading Drake?
Well, it's because Vanderbilt has the better roster and Mark Byington has his boys playing some high quality basketball right now.
The Dores were picked 10th in the SEC Preseason Media Poll, but their backcourt of Jason Edwards and Michigan State transfer AJ Hoggard has been top notch. They fit perfectly given that Edwards is the bucket-getter and Hoggard is the steady veteran who runs the show and limits turnovers.
The Dores' issues come on the interior. Devin McGlockton is averaging 14/8 and has experience playing against high-major bigs in the ACC at Boston College, but Byington doesn't have much more beyond that.
They have been starting 6-foot-7 Tyler Nickel at the four to create matchup problems.
The good news is that Drake isn't the team that is going to capitalize on these shortcomings. The Bulldogs are 332nd in the country in rebounding and don't have a player who stands above 6-foot-8.
I'll ride the Dores to the Charleston Classic crown.
