Missouri Valley Tournament Betting Guide: Our Biggest Long Shot!

Missouri Valley Best Bet: Belmont (+1900)

The Bruins are poised for a deep run in Arch Madness. Since the return of star guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie to the lineup from a left injury on February 3rd, the Bruins have gone 8-2 and are the highest-ranked team in the Missouri Valley at 42nd nationally. Gillespie's impact as the team's leader on the court is monumental, and Belmont looks like a completely different team when he is on the floor. Malik Dia and Cade Tyson are also impact players in their own right, giving the Bruins one of the league's top trios. 

This price feels just too long on a team that is hitting its peak at the right time and poised to make some noise in St. Louis.

See who is on the fringe in our March Madness Bubble Watch.

Missouri Valley Favorite: Indiana State (+155)

Even the typical casual college basketball fan has heard of Robbie Avila and Indiana State by now. The Sycamores are the mid-major darling of the sport in 2024, and their inclusion in the NCAA Tournament would be a win for all of us. They are in pole position to claim the league's automatic bid as the top seed in St. Louis, which would mean the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2011. 

For those unfamiliar, Avila is the most dominant player in the Missouri Valley while looking nothing like the part. Being given the nicknames "Larry Nerd" and "Cream Abdul-Jabbar" by fans across social media, the 6'10" sophomore displays unreal decision-making, footwork, and touch for someone his size. He's one of the most fun players to watch in the sport, and we highly recommend you tune in this weekend to catch him in action.

Get all your seeding analysis at SportsGrid's March Madness Bracketology page.

Missouri Valley Challenger: Drake (+220)

If it feels like Drake is in this position every single year, it's because they are. Head coach Darian DeVries has turned this program into a perennial powerhouse. The Bulldogs are seeking their fourth consecutive championship game appearance, which hasn't been done since 1982 to 1986 when former league member Tulsa went to five straight. 

Coach's son Tucker DeVries is a legitimate NBA prospect with an incredible knack for getting to his spot, which is basically anywhere on the court. Darnell Brodie provides the brute up front for the Bulldogs in his sixth collegiate season and fourth year at Drake. Atin Wright and Conor Enright slot in the starting five as solid wings with sharpshooting capability. 

This team is versatile, well-coached, and possesses veteran leadership. It would come as no surprise to see them go toe-to-toe with Indiana State and take this bid on Sunday afternoon on CBS.

Missouri Valley Dark Horse: Bradley (+380)

Bradley was very nearly my best bet, which you'll find out on the next slide. But we have to acknowledge the Braves as a legitimate dark horse. This team has everything you seek out in a contender for a run in their conference tournament. The core four of Malevy Leons, Duke Deen, Connor Hickman, and Darius Hannah are all upperclassmen averaging in double figures, providing experience and widespread scoring within the offense. 

Read SportsGrid's College Basketball Best Bets for Wed. Mar. 6 Here.

This isn't head coach Brian Wardle's first rodeo either, having gotten Bradley to the championship game in three of the past five seasons and winning two. Predictive metrics adore the Braves despite their 13-7 conference record, and we wouldn't be surprised to see them give Drake a hard time in a hypothetical semifinal matchup.

Missouri Valley Best Bet: Belmont (+1900)

The Bruins are poised for a deep run in Arch Madness. Since the return of star guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie to the lineup from a left injury on February 3rd, the Bruins have gone 8-2 and are the highest-ranked team in the Missouri Valley at 42nd nationally. Gillespie's impact as the team's leader on the court is monumental, and Belmont looks like a completely different team when he is on the floor. Malik Dia and Cade Tyson are also impact players in their own right, giving the Bruins one of the league's top trios. 

This price feels just too long on a team that is hitting its peak at the right time and poised to make some noise in St. Louis.

See who is on the fringe in our March Madness Bubble Watch.