UIC Flames vs Drake Bulldogs Picks and Prediction for Thursday February 12 2026
The UIC Flames head to Des Moines, Iowa, for a Missouri Valley Conference game against the Drake Bulldogs. UIC comes in at 13-12 overall and 8-6 in conference play, while Drake is 12-14 and 6-9 in the MVC. The Bulldogs will be trying to snap their current skid and pick up a much-needed conference win at home. Get involved in the action with our free college basketball picks.
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UIC vs. Drake Game Information
- February 12, 2026
- 7:30pm EST
- Knapp Center
- ESPN+
Drake Form & Recent Results
Drake heads into this game riding a four-game losing streak and dropping four of their last five games overall. Their most recent loss came Monday at home against Valparaiso, an 81–76 defeat where Jalen Quinn did everything he could to keep the Bulldogs in it. Quinn poured in 33 points and added three assists, while Andrew Alia helped on the glass with seven rebounds. Even with the loss, Drake wasn’t completely outplayed from start to finish, they only turned the ball over six times and were actually in front for about half of the game. Still, they couldn’t close it out late, which has been a recurring issue during this rough part of the season.
This season, Quinn has clearly been Drake’s go-to option, leading the team in scoring at 20 points per game. Jaehshon Thomas has been the next best scoring threat, averaging 10.2 points so far this year. Wulguens Jr. Exacte has been their top rebounder, pulling down 5.3 boards per game, while Quinn also sets the tone as the team’s leading passer at 3.3 assists per game. The bigger concern lately has been defense. Over their last five games, Drake is giving up an average of 87 points, which makes it hard to win consistently no matter how well they score. At home they’re 6–8, and they’ve allowed 73.9 points per game in their own building, showing they haven’t always been able to rely on home court for a defensive boost. With UIC coming to town on Thursday, the Bulldogs will need a sharper defensive effort and a more complete 40 minutes if they want to turn this season around and make this a tight game. 
UIC Form & Recent Results
UIC comes into this game having dropped two in a row, although the bigger picture is a little more encouraging. They’ve still managed to win three of their last five games. Their most recent result was a 68–62 home loss to Belmont on Friday, a game where Ahmad Henderson II led the way with 14 points. Sam Silverstein provided some work on the glass with seven rebounds, and Jayce Nathaniel helped keep the offense organized, finishing with four assists. The Flames didn’t do themselves many favors in key areas, though, shooting 68% from the free-throw line, committing 11 turnovers, and pulling down 30 total rebounds in a game that was tight enough for little mistakes to matter.
Henderson has been the most consistent scoring option for UIC so far this year, leading the team at 12.8 points per game. He’s had solid support from Elijah Crawford and Andy Johnson, who are tied as the next-best scorers at 11.7 points per night. Mekhi Lowery has been their top rebounder so far this season, averaging 5.8 boards, while Crawford also sets the pace as UIC’s primary playmaker with 3.7 assists per game. Offensively, the Flames have been producing in recent games, putting up about 73 points per game over their last five, but they’ve been less steady away from home. They’re 5–7 on the road and have given up an average of 73.8 points in those road games, which highlights some ongoing defensive issues. Even so, while Drake has had its own defensive problems, UIC isn’t in a position to take anyone lightly, as this is a major conference game, and both teams need it.
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Ricky Tran | +4,680.00 |
| 2 |  David Delano | +4,650.00 |
| 3 |  Nick Parsons | +4,361.00 |
| 4 |  Mark Ruelle | +4,278.00 |
| 5 |  Terry Edelmann | +2,224.00 |
Key Stats
- UIC’s Elijah Crawford this season: 11.7 points, 3.7 assists per game
- Drake’s Jalen Quinn this season: 20 points, 3.3 assists per game
Betting Odds & Market Overview:
- DRKE -1.5; O/U 147.5
UIC vs. Drake Picks and Prediction
UIC sits just two and a half games in front of Drake in the Missouri Valley Conference standings, so this game carries real weight for both teams at this point in the season. With the gap still small, UIC is trying to protect its position, while Drake knows a win would build some momentum. Defense has been an issue on both sides lately, and each team will be looking for a cleaner, more consistent effort. For Drake in particular, getting a much-needed win at home would not only help in the standings, but also give them a boost as the season pushes forward. Final Score Prediction, Drake Bulldogs win and cover the spread, 80-72.
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