I like backing underdogs in the defensive-minded Missouri Valley Conference especially here with much-improved Drake. The Bulldogs have won and covered five of their last six games. I see them hanging in against Northern Iowa.

Drake has a good offense, averaging more than 77 points, and its defense played well in an 81-65 home win against Evansville in its last game.

Northern Iowa often is overpriced going 1-9-1 ATS in its last 11 conference games. That's the case again here.