The 2025 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament, also known as “Arch Madness,” takes place from March 6-9 at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri. This is one of the most competitive mid-major tournaments, with the winner earning an automatic NCAA Tournament bid. The top four seeds receive byes into the quarterfinals, while the remaining teams compete in the first round.
Drake (-110) enters as the top seed and tournament favorite after finishing with a 17-3 conference record. Bradley (+340) and Northern Iowa (+475) are the top challengers. Belmont (+1200), Illinois State (+1500), and Murray State (+2200) offer value for bettors looking for an underdog pick. WagerHome is the place to get the best odds and insights for PPH bookies.
Drake Preview – The Favorite for a Three-Peat
Drake is looking to win its third straight MVC Tournament title. The Bulldogs dominated the regular season, finishing first in the standings. They play at a slow pace, averaging just 59.4 possessions per game, the lowest in the country. Their strength is offensive rebounding, grabbing 36.2% of their missed shots.
The key player for Drake is Bennett Stirtz, who leads the team in scoring (18.9 PPG), assists (5.9 APG), and steals (2.2 SPG). He has been on fire in recent weeks, averaging 21.4 points per game since late January. Drake’s ability to control the tempo and execute in the half-court makes them a tough team to beat.
Their biggest weaknesses are turnovers and interior defense. They rank 292nd in the country in turnover rate (19.0%) and struggle to defend inside, allowing opponents to shoot 54.3% on two-pointers. If they can limit mistakes, they should be in a strong position to win the tournament.
Bradley Preview – A Strong Challenger
Bradley enters the tournament as the No. 2 seed and has the talent to compete with Drake. The Braves split the regular-season series with the Bulldogs, proving they can match up well. They rely on balanced scoring, with Duke Deen (14.1 PPG), Zek Montgomery (12.6 PPG), and Darius Hannah (12.1 PPG) leading the offense.
Bradley is one of the better defensive teams in the MVC. They limit opponents to 32.6% shooting from three-point range, which has helped them stay competitive in close games. However, their recent form has been shaky, ranking 147th in efficiency over the final 10 games of the regular season.
For Bradley to win, they need to continue their defensive intensity and get strong performances from Deen and Hannah. If they can find consistency, they are a real threat to take the title.
Northern Iowa Preview – A Dark Horse Pick
Northern Iowa (+475) has been one of the hottest teams in the MVC. They closed the regular season on a 7-2 run and covered the spread in six of their last nine games. Their defense has been elite, ranking in the top 60 in efficiency over the last month.
The Panthers are led by Tytan Anderson, who averages 15.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game. He is efficient inside, ranking second in the MVC in field goal percentage (60.0%). His presence in the paint makes Northern Iowa tough to handle.
They avoid Drake until the final, which gives them a solid path to the championship. If their defense holds up and they continue to shoot well from three (38%), they could be the team to pull an upset.
Belmont Preview – The Best Longshot Bet
Belmont (+1200) is the No. 4 seed and has a capable offense that can cause problems for higher seeds. They are led by Carter Whitt, Johnathan Pierre, and Tyler Lundblade, who have all had big scoring games this season. When they get hot from three, they are tough to stop.
The problem for Belmont is their defense, which ranks in the bottom half of the MVC. They struggle to stop teams inside and often rely on outscoring opponents rather than getting stops. If they can tighten up defensively, they could make a deep run.
Their odds make them an interesting bet, especially for bettors looking for a potential Cinderella team. If they get past the quarterfinals, they could be dangerous in the later rounds.
PPH Betting Prediction
Drake is the clear favorite, but the value lies with Northern Iowa. The Panthers were the best team against the spread in conference play and have the defensive ability to make a deep run. Bradley is also a strong pick, given their balanced scoring and previous success against Drake.
The tournament is historically won by top seeds, making Drake a safe pick. However, Northern Iowa and Bradley provide value at longer odds. If you’re looking to bet on the MVC Tournament, WagerHome has the best odds and insights for PPH bookies.
Pick: Northern Iowa (+475) as the best value play, with Drake (-110) as the safest bet.
