Fresh off its sixth win in its last seven games, the Drake University men's basketball team takes its Missouri Valley Conference-leading 5-1 record to Cedar Falls, Iowa, for its annual meeting with UNI Tuesday, Jan. 16, at the McLeod Center. Tipoff for the 71st meeting between the two in-state foes is set for 7 p.m. and will be aired on Panther Sports Network affiliates and ESPN3.
Panther Sports Network includes Cedar Falls Utilities Ch. 15/HD415, KCRG Ch. 9.2, WHO 13 D-2, KGCW Ch. 26, NBC Sports Chicago, KSMO - Kansas City.
The Bulldogs sit in first place in the MVC standings at 5-1 after cruising past Evansville, 81-65, Saturday afternoon. The win was the second MVC win of 15 or more points this season and made the Bulldogs 7-0 at home this season for the first time since 2011-12. On the road, the Bulldogs have won two MVC road games this season, equaling the combined total from the previous three seasons.
UNI collected its first conference win of the season Saturday with an 81-76 home victory over Valparaiso. Seven of the Panthers' nine wins this season have come at the McLeod Center where Drake has not won since Feb. 18, 2009.
The Bulldogs' quick start to the MVC season, their best since 2007-08, has been fueled in part by the play of Nick McGlynn (Stoughton, Wis.). The junior is coming off a career-high 23 points, nine rebounds and three blocks against Evansville while shooting 9-of-10 and making his first eight shots in the win. Against MVC competition this season, he is averaging 14.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game while shooting 59.6 percent to rank 11th in MVC scoring and fourth in rebounding.
McGlynn's offensive production has helped bolster the team's assist numbers as the Bulldogs lead the MVC and rank in the top 50 nationally in assists per game and assist-to-turnover ratio. The Bulldogs are coming off a season-high 22 assists in the win over Evansville on 28 made field goals and have now recorded 20 or more assists in three of their six MVC contests. In the team's last seven games, 66.3 percent of the team's baskets have been assisted and the team has had a positive assist-to-turnover ratio in six of those games.
Following Tuesday's contest, the Bulldogs return to the Knapp Center to host the MVC preseason favorite, Missouri State. Tipoff with the Bears is scheduled for 3 p.m.
