Drake Bulldogs Face Off Against Miami Hurricanes in Highly Anticipated College Basketball Matchup

The Drake Bulldogs and the Miami Hurricanes are set to clash in a highly anticipated college basketball matchup on Thursday, November 21, 2024, as part of the 2024 Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic. Both teams enter the game with undefeated records, each boasting a 3-0 start to the season.

Miami, led by Coach Jim Larrañaga, has been impressive in their early season games, scoring heavily against their opponents. In their last game, the Hurricanes dominated Coppin State with a 93-63 victory, showcasing their strong offense that averages 98 points per game. Miami’s offense is ranked 4th in the league, while their defense, although giving up 66.3 points per game, has been sufficient to secure their wins.

Drake, on the other hand, has had narrower victories. Their most recent game was a close 63-61 win over Florida Gulf Coast University. The Bulldogs are led by key players such as junior guard Bennett Stirtz, who is averaging 18.7 points, five assists, 4.7 rebounds, and three steals per game, and senior forward Daniel Abreu, who is averaging 17.7 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. Despite their slow pace of play and high turnover rate, Drake’s defense has been strong, ranking 3rd in the league and allowing only 51 points per game.

The game is scheduled to tip off at 12:00 p.m. ET at the TD Arena in Charleston, South Carolina, and will be broadcast on ESPN2. Miami is favored by 10 points, with the over/under set at 143.5 points. The SportsLine Projection Model, which has a strong track record in college basketball picks, is leaning towards an over on the total points and has generated an against-the-spread pick that cashes in nearly 60% of simulations.

This matchup will be a significant test for both teams, especially for Drake, which has not faced an opponent as strong as Miami yet this season. The Bulldogs will need to improve their free throw shooting and reduce turnovers to stay competitive against the high-scoring Hurricanes.