The Drake University men's basketball team plays host to Illinois State Wednesday evening for a 7 p.m. contest in the Knapp Center. The Bulldogs return home, where they are 9-1 this season, after defeating Valparaiso to move into second place in the Missouri Valley Conference standings. Illinois State also picked up a win over the weekend to reside in second place as well with a matching 5-3 league record.
 
Wednesday is also 'Relays Night' at the Knapp Center. The annual event highlights the upcoming Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee and honors its longtime committee members, officials and volunteers that drive America's Athletic Classic. Once again, 'Relays Night' will feature an electrifying halftime dunk competition between Relays-caliber athletes including defending dunk champion Ricky Robertson. Wallace Spearmon, one of the world's top sprinters, and Larry Donald will challenge Robertson in the competition graded by a panel of local celebrity judges.
 
For more on Relays Night, click here.
 
On the court, Drake's win streak extended to four games thanks to freshman D.J. Wilkins' career-high 20 points at Valparaiso on a 4-of-8 night from the three-point arc. Meanwhile, the defense held Valparaiso to 37.9 percent shooting and just 26 first-half points. Only two of Drake's eight MVC opponents have scored 30 or more points in the first half and Valley foes are shooting just 37.9 percent in the first half against the Bulldogs this season.
 
Drake's 16 wins already mark one of the more sucessfull seasons in recent program history and those victories already rank head coach Darian DeVries fifth all-time in total wins by a first-year head coach at Drake.
 
Following Wednesday's meeting with the Redbirds, the Bulldogs return to the road to face Indiana State Saturday afternoon.