Colgate Raiders vs Drexel Dragons prediction: Drexel's rebuilt roster faces Alekseyenko in its first home game
Colgate brings back half its minutes and a preseason all-league forward, while Drexel returns barely a fifth of its own and is still a slim favorite.
| Spread | Colgate -1 |
|---|---|
| Total (over/under) | 140.5 |
- A tight game decided by Drexel's ball security. Colgate rarely forces turnovers, so the Dragons' newcomers should finally get clean possessions.
- Andrew Alekseyenko, who used 39.2% of Colgate's possessions at Washington, against a Drexel frontcourt thinned by late-October injuries.
- The line has moved from Drexel -1.5 to Colgate -1, and the total has dropped from 146.5 to 140.5 since our feed first saw them. Both teams covered and went over as big road underdogs.
A program starting over
Drexel returned 22.6% of last season's minutes, which makes this home opener close to a first look at a new team. Shane Blakeney is at South Carolina, Kevon Vanderhorst is at Iona, and Zach Spiker leaned on eight newcomers in the opener at Virginia. They combined for 42 points in a blowout loss. The Dragons were picked ninth in the CAA, a ranking Spiker wants to prove wrong.
The frontcourt may be short. Drexel's Oct. 26 game notes listed returning forward Martin de LaPorterie and Moses Hipps as out indefinitely with lower-body injuries. The school hasn't given an update since.
Colgate has more to stand on. It returns 53.5% of its minutes, led by Andrew Alekseyenko, the reigning Patriot League Rookie of the Year. The hole is Jalen Cox, who averaged 17.9 points last season and now plays at USC. Last season's final adjusted net ratings (points per 100 possessions, adjusted for opponents) had the teams nearly level, with Drexel 217th and Colgate 232nd. Given Drexel's roster turnover, that comparison describes Colgate far better than it describes the Dragons.
Turnovers are Drexel's swing
Virginia took the ball away from Drexel on 28.0% of its possessions, a turnover rate that ranks 356th of 363 teams. Sloppy play isn't only a new-roster problem: last season's Dragons ranked 326th.
The relief is the opponent. Colgate's defense forced turnovers on 14.3% of Washington's possessions and ranked 292nd in that category last season. The Raiders sit back and make teams shoot. That gives Josh Reed, one of the few rotation players back, a chance to settle down after going 2-of-8 from the field in the opener. If Drexel keeps its turnovers to a normal level, it should earn enough extra shots to cover a short number at home.
Colgate's foul problem
Colgate's defense sent Washington to the line constantly. Washington's free throw rate (free throw attempts per field goal attempt) was 66.7%, 354th nationally. The Raiders also made only 50.0% of their own free throws. Alekseyenko went 55.6% after shooting 77.7% last season, so expect that number to recover.
Drexel didn't attack the rim at Virginia. Its free throw rate of 12.1% ranked 360th. The Dragons can't profit from Colgate's fouling unless their guards drive. LaDricus Pittman, a freshman whose scoring has impressed Spiker, did most of his damage from three in the opener.
Where the number sits
Colgate is now a 1-point favorite with a total of 140.5. The line has moved from Drexel -1.5 to Colgate -1, and the total has dropped from 146.5 since our feed first saw the game. The line treats this as nearly even, with the road team now slightly favored despite the home floor on Veterans Appreciation Day.
Both teams covered big spreads in their openers. Colgate covered as a 14.5-point underdog at Washington, and Drexel did the same at Virginia. Both games went over. Drexel played its opener fast, at 75.5 possessions per 40 minutes, and Colgate's defense gave up 90 points in Seattle.
The last meeting went to Colgate, 90-83 at Hamilton last November, though Drexel leads the all-time series 6-1. Matt Langel, in his 16th season, has the more experienced group.
Colgate Raiders vs Drexel Dragons line movement and odds
| Book | Raiders ML | Dragons ML | Raiders spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM | -125 | +105 | -1.5 (-110) | o140.5 (-110) |
| BetRivers | -112 | -114 | +0.5 (-110) | o141.5 (-104) |
| DraftKings | -112 | -108 | -1.5 (+105) | o140.5 (-112) |
| ESPN BET | -115 | -105 | -1.5 (+100) | o140.5 (-105) |
| Fanatics | -105 | -115 | +1 (-115) | o140.5 (-110) |
| FanDuel | -110 | -110 | +1.5 (-124) | o140.5 (-110) |
| Hard Rock Bet | -110 | -115 | — | o141.5 (+100) |
| Caesars | -115 | -105 | -1 (-110) | o140.5 (-110) |
Where the money is on Colgate Raiders vs Drexel Dragons
On the Kalshi moneyline: Colgate Raiders: 67% of bets, 87% of the money; Drexel Dragons: 33% of bets, 13% of the money. On the Kalshi spread: Colgate Raiders -3.5: 100% of bets, 100% of the money; Drexel Dragons +3.5: 0% of bets, 0% of the money. On the Kalshi total: Over 141.5: 33% of bets, 38% of the money; Under 141.5: 67% of bets, 62% of the money.
Key players
- Andrew Alekseyenko (Colgate): He posted 25 points and 11 rebounds at Washington while using 39.2% of Colgate's possessions.
- Parker Jones (Colgate): He scored 17 points on 3-of-7 from three for a 68.2% effective field goal percentage in the opener.
- Sam Wright (Colgate): A returning starter who averaged 12.3 points last season, he opened with 15 at Washington.
- LaDricus Pittman (Drexel): He scored 11 points off the bench at Virginia, hitting 3 of 5 threes.
- Latief Lorenzano-White (Drexel): He shared the team lead with 11 points against Virginia on 5-of-7 shooting.
- Josh Reed (Drexel): One of Drexel's few returners, he averaged 7.9 points last season and had four assists in the opener.
Numbers that matter
| Drexel returning minutes | 22.6% | Almost the whole rotation is new, so last season's Drexel numbers are a weak guide. |
|---|---|---|
| Drexel turnover rate | 28.0% | It ranked 356th of 363 after the Virginia opener and is the biggest fix available to the Dragons. |
| Colgate forced turnover rate | 14.3% | Colgate's defense rarely pressures the ball, which gives Drexel a chance to clean up. |
| Colgate opponent free throw rate | 66.7% | Colgate's fouling at Washington ranked 354th nationally. |
| Spread | -1.5 | Drexel is a slim home favorite, and the line hasn't moved since our feed first saw it. |
Colgate Raiders vs Drexel Dragons: quick answers
Who is favored in Colgate Raiders vs Drexel Dragons?
Colgate is favored by 1 points (Colgate -1).
What is the over/under for Colgate Raiders vs Drexel Dragons?
The total is 140.5 points.
When is Colgate Raiders vs Drexel Dragons?
Saturday, November 7, 2026 at 2:00 PM ET.
Has the line moved for Colgate Raiders vs Drexel Dragons?
Yes: Colgate Raiders opened +1.5 and is now -1.5, and the total moved from 146.5 to 140.5 (consensus of the regulated US sportsbooks since we first saw the game).
Where is the money on Colgate Raiders vs Drexel Dragons?
On the Kalshi moneyline: Colgate Raiders: 67% of bets, 87% of the money; Drexel Dragons: 33% of bets, 13% of the money. On the Kalshi spread: Colgate Raiders -3.5: 100% of bets, 100% of the money; Drexel Dragons +3.5: 0% of bets, 0% of the money. On the Kalshi total: Over 141.5: 33% of bets, 38% of the money; Under 141.5: 67% of bets, 62% of the money.