Drake Bulldogs vs. Charleston Cougars Picks and Prediction for Monday, November 17, 2025
It’s a contest on the hardwood between mid-major foes as the Drake Bulldogs battle the Charleston Cougars Monday night in the Palmetto State, and we have you covered with our Drake vs. Charleston prediction. Drake fell 61-59 to SIU Edwardsville at home in their previous contest Saturday night, losing outright as a 7.5-point favorite. Charleston downed South Carolina State 88-61 at home Friday night, covering the line as a 17-point favorite. This marks the first time the programs have met on the hardwood as Division I opponents. Read more about this Drake vs. Charleston prediction! Struggling with handicapping? Try our NCAAB Predictions!
Sign Up for Winners and Whiners News Alerts, Get Free Picks and Discounts
Subscribe Now
Drake Looking to Get Back in Win Column
Drake went to the wire against SIU Edwardsville but ended up giving up the winning bucket with one second remaining to wind up on the wrong end of the scoreboard. The Bulldogs dropped to 2-2 on the season and look to get back in the win column here. Against SIU Edwardsville started slowly, trailing 11-5 early and 25-10 with 10:17 to play in the first half. The Bulldogs rallied to cut the deficit to six at the half, rallied to lead 52-45 with 7:33 remaining, only to be outscored 16-7 the rest of the way to wind up with the loss. Drake shot 38.3% from the field, including nine of 30 from three-point range, and was beaten 40-37 on the glass in the game. Andrew Alia and Wilguens Jr. Exacte each had 12 points to lead the way for Drake.
The Bulldogs put up an average of 76 points per game this season, putting them 234th in the nation in scoring offense. Drake collects 41.8 rebounds a night while dishing out 11.5 assists per game. The Bulldogs are well above average on the defensive end, ranking 77th in scoring defense by allowing 66 points per game. Jalen Quinn leads the team with 14.8 points, four rebounds and 3.3 assists a night this season. Okku Federiko (13.3 points, 8.8 rebounds) and Wilguens Jr. Exacte (12.3 points, 7.5 rebounds) are valuable secondary scoring options this season. Jaehshon Thomas (11 points), Braden Applehans, Andrew Alia, Isaiah Carr, Eli Shetlar and Griffen Goodbary are important contributors for the Bulldogs. Drake is shooting 41.6% from the field as a team this season, putting them 305th in Division I. The Bulldogs average 7.8 three-pointers a night while shooting 30.1% from beyond the arc. Drake is above average at the charity stripe this season as they convert 75% of their chances on the year, putting them 84th in the nation.
Cougars Seeking to Earn Back-to-Back Wins
Charleston snapped a two-game skid as they rolled past South Carolina State in their previous contest, Friday night at home. The Cougars improved to 2-2 on the year and try to earn back-to-back wins as they take the floor here. Against South Carolina State, Charleston trailed 12-7 with 16:24 to play in the first half before going on a 14-3 run to take a 21-15 advantage with 12:32 before intermission and led the rest of the way. The Cougars were up 50-37 at intermission and led by as many as 28 en route to the victory. Charleston shot 52.5% from the floor, including three of 21 from beyond the arc, and won the rebounding battle 44-35 in the game. Chol Machot, Chris Davis Jr. and Martin Kalu each had 12 points to lead the Cougars in the win.
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  David Hess | +1,568.00 |
| 2 |  Ben Burns | +982.00 |
| 3 |  Tony Karpinski | +572.00 |
| 4 |  Joe Duffy | +501.00 |
| 5 |  Ross Benjamin | +328.00 |
The Cougars are putting up an average of 79.8 points per game, which is 180th in the country in scoring offense, on the season. Charleston hauls down 40.5 rebounds per contest (118th) and dishes out 15 assists per game. The Cougars have been below average on the defensive end of the floor, ranking 225th by allowing 75.8 points per game this year. Martin Kalu leads the team as he puts up 14 points plus 5.3 rebounds per game. Chol Machot (13 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.5 blocks), Jlynn Counter (11 points, 5.3 rebounds, five assists) and Mister Dean (11 points) each average in double figures. Chris Davis Jr., Jaxon Prunty, Christian Reeves, Chadlyn Traylor, Kendall Taylor and Djordje Curcic are solid contributors for the Cougars. Charleston is hitting 45.1% from the floor this season as a team. The Cougars splash an average of 5.5 three-pointers a night while hitting 25% of their attempts from beyond the arc. Charleston has been average at the charity stripe, sinking 70.4% of their chances at the line this season, which is 191st in the nation.
Drake vs. Charleston Pick
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Earle Sports Bets | +2,298.00 |
| 2 | Ross Benjamin | +1,840.00 |
| 3 |  Rob Vincilleti | +1,757.00 |
| 4 | David Hess | +1,745.00 |
| 5 |  Dan Kaiser | +987.00 |
Drake vs. Charleston Spread Pick
- Drake +5.5 (4 units)
Both teams are 2-2 on the season entering this contest, but how they got there is a different story. Drake’s two losses were each by two points, one of which came in overtime. Charleston’s losses came by 15 points to Liberty and by 17 points to Florida Atlantic. Each team has beaten a non-Division I squad for one of their victories. Both squads have a lot of new faces in their rotations this season as Ben McCollum took most of Drake’s firepower from last year to Iowa when he took the job there. Charleston is one of the least experienced teams in the nation. Playing at home help,s but giving this many points is too dicey a proposition. Take the Bulldogs and the points here.
Drake vs. Charleston Over/Under Pick
- Under 148.5 (4 units)
Drake enters this game having gone over the total in two of their three games with a posted total on the year. The Bulldogs are 159th in offensive efficiency, 276th in effective field goal percentage (45.6%), 186th in offensive rebounding percentage (30.6%) and 1st in free throw rate allowed (.144 FT attempts per FG attempt) this season. Drake plays at one of the slowest tempos in the nation with 68.5 possessions a night, ranking 315th according to KenPom. Charleston has seen the over post a 2-1 mark in their three games with a posted number. The Cougars stand 122nd in effective field goal percentage (53.1%) and rank 117th in assist percentage (56.6%) this season. Charleston is playing slower than average as they are 285th in adjusted tempo with 69.3 possessions per game. With two teams that aren’t great shooting squads, with limited experience, and then a slower-than-average tempo, this game winds up short of the number.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Bet $5 & Get $150
