Valparaiso at Belmont

Belmont is 15-3 overall and tied for second in the Missouri Valley Conference. Valparaiso is 8-9 overall and tied for sixth in the MVC. But Belmont is vulnerable to Valparaiso in this spot. The Bruins are off a dramatic, 78-76, comeback road victory against Drake this past Saturday. Belmont came back from a 44-25 halftime deficit. Valparaiso has looked better in its last three games, going 2-1 SU and ATS. One of the victories was a 77-71 home win versus Illinois State as a 6.5-point underdog. Illinois State had a much easier time against Drake on the road than Belmont did, beating the Bulldogs, 73-56. The Bruins have played an easy schedule, facing only one top-100 opponent. That was Northern Iowa, which is ranked 98th. The Beacons have a solid defensive ranking in the top 80, allowing an average of 71.2 points per game. Belmont surrenders an average of 73.8 points a game. Take Valparaiso.