NCAAB · Final

Drake Bulldogs Edge Indiana State Sycamores in Close Matchup

Sunday, January 4, 2026, 3:00 PM ET · Knapp Center

Drake Bulldogs 74, Indiana State Sycamores 72, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

Next free pick (not the main pick)

The next free pick, for your email

Team, bet, price and the hash it was sealed under, on this page the moment you send. Lose or win, it stays public.

Unlock today's pick in Telegram →

or by email

Public record of the main pick, losses included: 115 won, 44 lost. See every pick

One free pick a day by email until you unsubscribe, in one click. 21+.

Get the daily free pick · See plans

Quick answers

Who won Indiana State Sycamores vs Drake Bulldogs?

Drake Bulldogs beat Indiana State Sycamores 74-72 at Knapp Center on January 4, 2026.

Who was favored in Indiana State Sycamores vs Drake Bulldogs?

Drake Bulldogs were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -278 (about 74% implied). The favorite won.

In a thrilling contest at the Knapp Center, the Drake Bulldogs narrowly defeated the Indiana State Sycamores 74-72. This game was particularly notable as both teams entered the matchup with similar records, Drake at 8-7 and Indiana State at 8-8. The close scoreline reflects the competitive nature of the game, with both teams showcasing their strengths and weaknesses throughout.

Drake's recent form has been mixed, with a record of 5-5 over their last ten games. Despite this, they have averaged 78.0 points scored per game while allowing 70.8 points. The Bulldogs' performance at home has been slightly less favorable, with a home record of 3-4. Their last five games have seen them struggle, with a record of 1-4 and an average of 71.4 points scored and 78.4 points allowed.

On the other hand, Indiana State also holds a 5-5 record over their last ten games, averaging 77.4 points scored and 73.6 points allowed. Their away record has been less impressive, standing at 1-4. In their last five games, they have managed to win two, with an average of 76.2 points scored and a concerning 83.2 points allowed.

The history between these two teams has favored Drake, who has won both of their previous meetings in the 2025 season. In their last encounter on February 8, 2025, Drake won 85-81, and earlier on January 18, 2025, they secured a 71-53 victory at Indiana State.

In terms of injuries, the block does not provide specific details, but it is always a critical factor to consider in the analysis of team performance. The betting market has placed Drake as favorites, with DraftKings listing them at -6.5 on the spread and a money line of -278. Indiana State, conversely, has a money line of 225. The total for the game was set at 149.5, with odds of -108 for the over and -112 for the under.

Conditions during the game were not detailed in the block, but the atmosphere at the Knapp Center is typically electric, especially for a matchup of this significance. Viewers should have watched for the free throw performance, as several key points in the closing moments came from the charity stripe. Jo Van Buggenhout, Ian Scott, and Okku Federiko were instrumental in the final stages, contributing crucial points that ultimately secured the win for Drake.

Overall, this game was a showcase of resilience and competitive spirit, with both teams fighting hard until the final whistle. The Bulldogs' ability to close out the game in the dying moments was pivotal, and they will look to build on this victory as they continue their season.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	DRKE -6.5	149.5 o -108 / u -112	Indiana State Sycamores +225 · Drake Bulldogs -278

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsJalen Quinn18Drake Bulldogs
AssistsJalen Quinn5Drake Bulldogs
ReboundsAndrew Alia9Drake Bulldogs
PointsIan Scott16Indiana State Sycamores
AssistsJo Van Buggenhout4Indiana State Sycamores
ReboundsIan Scott6Indiana State Sycamores

Recent form

Drake Bulldogs

Last 10: 5-5Streak L178 scored · 70.8 allowed per game3-4 at home

L56-73vs Illinois State RedbirdsDec 30
W66-65at Evansville Purple AcesDec 21
L72-81at Murray State RacersDec 19
L94-99vs North Dakota State BisonDec 13
L69-74vs UAB BlazersDec 6
W108-57vs Western Illinois LeathernecksDec 3
W84-74vs Georgia Tech Yellow JacketsNov 29
L62-71vs LSU TigersNov 29
W98-52vs Buena Vista BeaversNov 22
W71-62at Charleston CougarsNov 18

Indiana State Sycamores

Last 10: 5-5Streak L177.4 scored · 73.6 allowed per game1-4 away

L66-75at Northern Iowa PanthersJan 2
W81-80vs Belmont BruinsDec 30
L65-85at Illinois State RedbirdsDec 21
L99-108vs Bradley BravesDec 19
W70-68at Milwaukee PanthersDec 14
W77-55vs Southern Indiana Screaming EaglesDec 7
W99-57vs Eureka Red DevilsDec 3
L74-81at Alcorn State BravesNov 28
L73-75at Louisiana Tech BulldogsNov 27
W70-52vs Ball State CardinalsNov 23

Standings

Team	Overall	Games behind	In conference
Belmont	26-6	-	16-4
Bradley	21-13	3	13-7
Illinois State	23-13	4	12-8
Murray State	20-13	4	12-8
UIC	19-16	4	12-8
Northern Iowa	23-13	5	11-9
Valparaiso	18-15	5	11-9
Southern Illinois	16-16	6	10-10
Drake	14-20	10	6-14
Indiana State	11-21	12	4-16
Evansville	7-25	13	3-17

Box score

Stat	Indiana State Sycamores	Drake Bulldogs
Field goals	23-51	31-59
Field goal %	45	53
Three-pointers	10-27	8-23
Three-point %	37	35
Free throws	16-19	4-9
Free throw %	84	44
Rebounds	32	29
Offensive rebounds	10	10
Defensive rebounds	22	19
Assists	16	15
Steals	6	6
Blocks	2	2
Turnovers	14	9
Team turnovers	0	0
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	1
Points off turnovers	13	19
Fast-break points	6	3
Points in the paint	26	36
Fouls	15	18
Largest lead	8	8
Lead changes	10	10
Time in front	48	41

How the scoring went

2nd Half41-33Derek Vorst makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half41-35Okku Federiko makes 12-foot jumper
2nd Half41-38Jalen Quinn makes 24-foot three point jumper
2nd Half41-40Okku Federiko makes layup (Jaehshon Thomas assists)
2nd Half43-40Camp Wagner makes layup (Ian Scott assists)
2nd Half44-40Camp Wagner makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half46-40Ian Scott makes layup (Bruno Alocen assists)
2nd Half46-43Eli Shetlar makes 25-foot three point jumper (Okku Federiko assists)
2nd Half49-43Sterling Young makes 26-foot three point jumper (Derek Vorst assists)
2nd Half49-45Andrew Alia makes layup (Okku Federiko assists)
2nd Half49-47Jaehshon Thomas makes driving layup
2nd Half49-49Jalen Quinn makes driving layup
2nd Half50-49Derek Vorst makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half50-51Jalen Quinn makes 9-foot jumper
2nd Half52-51Sterling Young makes driving layup
2nd Half54-51Derek Vorst makes layup (Bruno Alocen assists)
2nd Half54-53Jalen Quinn makes 13-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half54-56Andrew Alia makes 28-foot three point jumper (Eli Shetlar assists)
2nd Half56-56Bruno Alocen makes layup
2nd Half56-57Okku Federiko makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half57-57Camp Wagner makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half58-57Camp Wagner makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half58-58Jaehshon Thomas makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half58-60Jaehshon Thomas makes 13-foot jumper
2nd Half61-60Camp Wagner makes 24-foot three point jumper (Bruno Alocen assists)
2nd Half63-60Camp Wagner makes layup (Derek Vorst assists)
2nd Half63-62Jalen Quinn makes 16-foot jumper
2nd Half66-62Bruno Alocen makes 24-foot three point jumper
2nd Half66-65Andrew Alia makes 25-foot three point jumper (Jalen Quinn assists)
2nd Half67-65Ian Scott makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half68-65Ian Scott makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half68-68Eli Shetlar makes 24-foot three point jumper (Jalen Quinn assists)
2nd Half69-68Jo Van Buggenhout makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half70-68Jo Van Buggenhout makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half70-69Jalen Quinn makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half71-69Ian Scott makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half72-69Ian Scott makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half72-71Okku Federiko makes layup
2nd Half72-73Okku Federiko makes layup (Jaehshon Thomas assists)
2nd Half72-74Jaehshon Thomas makes free throw 1 of 2