The Hofstra Pride take on the Drexel Dragons in Philadelphia, PA. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network.
Drexel is favored by 2.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -142. The total is set at 122.5 points.
Here are my Hofstra vs. Drexel predictions and college basketball picks for January 20, 2025.
Hofstra vs Drexel Prediction
My Pick: Hofstra +2.5 (Play to +2)
My Hofstra vs Drexel best bet is on the Pride 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.
Hofstra vs Drexel Odds
| Hofstra Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -110 | 122.5 -110 / -110 | +120 |
| Drexel Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -110 | 122.5 -110 / -110 | -142 |
- Hofstra vs Drexel spread: Drexel -2.5
- Hofstra vs Drexel over/under: 122.5 points
- Hofstra vs Drexel moneyline: Drexel -142, Hofstra +120
- Hofstra vs Drexel best bet: Hofstra +2.5 (Play to +2)
Spread
I'm taking the Pride on the spread down to +2.
Moneyline
I have no play on the moneyline.
Over/Under
I have no play on the total.
My Pick: Hofstra +2.5 (Play to +2)
Hofstra vs Drexel College Basketball Betting Preview
During the first couple of weeks of the season, Hofstra generated a bit of buzz for its 4-0 start, which featured wins over Iona, Seton Hall and UMass.
While those are quality victories for a program like the Pride, those wins haven't exactly aged well, with Iona sitting at 6-12, Seton Hall producing its worst season in years and UMass also being under .500 at 8-11 overall.
Also, the Pride have been average, at best, as of late, losing three in a row near the holidays and sitting at 2-3 near the bottom of the CAA.
Meanwhile, Drexel never generated headlines, but owns the same record (both overall and in the CAA) as the Hempstead, New York, school.
So, with two teams as even as these, which school has the advantage from a betting angle?
Well, I actually like the Pride, despite this being a road game.
This is going to be an ugly, slow-paced affair, and that lends itself well to the 'dog. Normally I'd target the total in this spot, but with the number sitting at 122.5, it's way to low for me to truly consider.
Instead, I'll count on Hofstra's sophomore guard Cruz Davis to finally breakthrough. Davis has been wildly inconsistent this season — dropping 20+ in five games while recording three five-point games — but he's due for a bounce back after scoring 20 total points in his past three outings.
While I'm not expecting him to have a 25-point performance against Drexel, his ability to create shots and his experience at a higher level (Iona and St. John's) gives the Pride a useful tool that the Dragons don't have at their disposal.
Most importantly, I don't know if I can trust Drexel in a low-scoring, possession-based game against a team that's challenged itself this season. The Dragons give the ball away too much, as they're top-150 nationally in turnovers per game (12.3) and 341st in D-I in potential breakaway points allowed off steals, via Haslametrics.
Now, Hofstra doesn't look to run (as evidenced by its 333rd adjusted tempo rating, via KenPom), but easy giveaways will allow the Pride to gain valuable extra possessions late in a close game.
Plus, defense travels, as evidenced by Hofstra's 55-37 victory at Northeastern.
I'll take the Pride ATS and maybe sprinkle a bit on the moneyline.
