The Drake University men's basketball team begins a season unlike any before in recent history when it plays at the Little Apple Classic this week against Kansas State and South Dakota in Manhattan, Kan. The two-game tournament tips off a season delayed and dictated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The event begins for the Bulldogs Wednesday, Nov. 25, against Kansas State at 1 p.m. on ESPNU. The team returns to the court Nov. 27 to take on South Dakota at 1 p.m.
 
Despite the stress of beginning a new season under these uncertain circumstances, anticipation fills Bulldog's coach, Darian DeVries, and returning veterans D.J. Wilkins and Roman Penn as they await the end of their long off-season that has been an exercise in diligence, responsibility and preparation.
 
"We're looking forward to what this group can do and I liked the way they prepared heading into this year's season-opener," said DeVries, who is entering his third season as the Bulldogs' head coach. "The opportunity to play a Big 12 game right out of the gates made it easier for our guys to stay focused. We all just want to play basketball and to get the chance to do it; we are excited."
 
DeVries describes his program as one with a variety of tools that have a good likelihood of transferring into success and he likes what the group's experience brings.
 
"The team is leading it now, from within the locker room," he said. "Our depth is going to be a good asset all year long and I feel very good about putting in multiple lineups throughout the year. I really like the makeup of our group."
 
One area in which DeVries will need that flexibility and variety is in the paint as has depth under the basket looking to make an impact that can feed off the team's more experienced guards.
 
"We're going to get a really good 40 minutes out of that center position with Darnell Brodie, Nate Ferguson and Issa Samake. I could see us playing all three of them on any given night," DeVries explained. "Our challenge to Roman Penn in this off-season was for him to become more aggressive as a scorer. This will help him set up the rest of the team."
 
Roman Penn, who led the MVC in assists last season and earned preseason All-MVC honors is excited about his even bigger role and the minor changes the staff has made to the Bulldogs offense.
 
"I like the stuff that the coaches put in for us," Penn said. "We worked on a lot of things that work to our strength. Playing to our personnel is our strength and we can play fast with this team. We have to play smart because turnovers can definitely kill the offense and kill the pace. I think if we slow down and play fast at the same time then we will be very dangerous."
 
 D.J. Wilkins is another veteran who has developed into a team leader as a two-year starter. After a breakout freshman season, he averaged 8.9 points and 2.1 assists per game last season.
 
A newcomer, Shanquan Hemphill, has drawn rave reviews from his teammates after joining the Bulldogs from Green Bay. DeVries says Hemphill will bring a hard-working tenacity to every game and a dynamic that fans will love.
 
A fellow transfer, Darnell Brodie, joined the Bulldogs from Seton Hall and presents an imposing presence in the paint at 6-10, 275 pounds. That size will be a great addition, athleticism and quickness will affect opponents' shots while allowing the offense to be more efficient in its pace.
 
Following this week's contests, the team returns to the Knapp Center to host Omaha Dec. 3 at 7 p.m.
 
Last week, Drake Athletics announced that fans will not be in the Knapp Center to start the season. However, the contest will be televised on ESPN+ and broadcast on ESPN 1350.