The Drake University men's basketball team returns home, where it is 10-2 this season, to host Valparaiso. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. on Mediacom and ESPN3 for the 'Whiteout' with the first 2,000 fans receiving a free t-shirt.
 
Earlier this season, the Bulldogs earned a 70-59 win at Valparaiso behind a career-high 20 points from D.J. Wilkins. Wilkins has emerged as a potential MVC Freshman of the Year candidate by averaging 12.3 points and 3.1 assists per game in league contests while averaging 35 minutes per game. At SIU he matched a career-high with 20 points to lead the Bulldogs to their fourth conference road win of the season.
 
Potential MVC Player of the Year candidate Nick McGlynn had an equally impressive showing against the Salukis with 10 points and 13 rebounds to match a career high. He needs one more block to join Aliou Keita as Drake's all-time leader in blocks.
 
The Bulldogs' 19 wins to date are the program's most since 2007-08 and put the Bulldogs on the cusp of the sixth 20-win season in program history. Drake's eight MVC wins to date are tied for the program's second most since 2008.
 
The Bulldogs have already converted on the ninth-most three-pointers in program history and Brady Ellingson leads the league in three-point shooting in league action by shooting 41-of-73 from the arc (.562). He has made three or more three-pointers in eight MVC games this season. Overall this season, he ranks fifth nationally in three-point accuracy at 48.1 percent.
 
Following Saturday's game, the Bulldogs remain home to host Bradley, Feb. 19, at the Knapp Center.