The Belmont Bruins will face the Drake Bulldogs in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Tournament Quarterfinals on March 6, 2026. The game will be played at the Knapp Center in Des Moines, Iowa, with both teams competing for a place in the tournament semifinals.
Belmont enters the matchup as the No. 1 seed after an impressive regular season, while Drake arrives as the No. 8 seed following a win in the opening round of the conference tournament. With Belmont aiming to continue its dominant campaign and Drake looking for a major upset, this quarterfinal promises an exciting contest.
Belmont vs Drake Game Details
| Match | Belmont Bruins vs Drake Bulldogs |
|---|---|
| Competition | MVC Men’s Basketball Tournament 2026 – Quarterfinal |
| Date | March 6, 2026 |
| Venue | Knapp Center, Des Moines, Iowa |
| Tip-Off Time (USA CT) | 12:00 PM CT |
| Time (USA ET) | 1:00 PM ET |
| Time (India IST) | 10:30 PM IST |
Where to Watch Belmont vs Drake Live in the USA
Fans in the United States can watch the game live on:
- ESPN+ – Exclusive streaming platform for the MVC Tournament quarterfinal matchup.
The game will not be broadcast on traditional cable television and will only be available through the ESPN+ streaming service.
Belmont vs Drake Live Streaming Options
Viewers can stream the matchup using ESPN+ on several devices.
- ESPN+ App – Available on smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs
- Streaming Devices – Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, and Android TV supported
- Web Streaming – Accessible through ESPN’s official website
Global Streaming Availability
| Region | Broadcaster / Streaming |
|---|---|
| USA | ESPN+ |
| Canada | ESPN+ / NCAA streaming partners |
| UK | NCAA digital streaming services |
| Australia | NCAA streaming partners |
| Rest of the World | Official NCAA streaming platforms |
Match Preview
Belmont has been one of the strongest teams in the Missouri Valley Conference this season, finishing the regular season with a 26–5 overall record and 17–3 conference record. The Bruins also won both regular-season meetings against Drake, showing their ability to control this matchup.
Drake, however, gained momentum with a victory in the opening round of the MVC Tournament and will look to carry that confidence into the quarterfinals. The Bulldogs will need a strong defensive effort and consistent scoring to compete with Belmont.
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Key Players to Watch
| Team | Player | Key Stats |
|---|---|---|
| Belmont Bruins | Jack Smiley | 19 points per game |
| Drake Bulldogs | Jaehshon Thomas | 15.5 points per game |
Belmont’s offense has been particularly strong this season, with efficient shooting and strong three-point scoring. Drake will aim to limit Belmont’s perimeter shooting if they want to stay competitive.
Belmont enters the game as the favorite due to its consistent offense and strong defensive efficiency. The Bruins have been one of the most efficient shooting teams in college basketball this season.
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Drake, however, has already shown resilience by winning its first tournament game and will look to extend its postseason run. With a semifinal spot on the line, both teams will be highly motivated in this MVC Tournament clash.
Fans can watch the action live on ESPN+ as Belmont and Drake battle for a place in the next round of the conference tournament.
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