The Drake University men's basketball team is set to host Drury on Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. in the Knapp Center, for its only exhibition game prior to its home opener against Coe on Nov. 9.

The 2020-21 season was nothing short of historic for Drake. The Bulldogs' had their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 13 years and made it to the first round but were knocked out by USC. Drake also received a No. 25 ranking in February from the Associated Press Top 25 Poll and The Ferris Mowers Men's Basketball Coaches Poll, powered by USA TODAY Sports Top 25, after an 18-0 start to last season. 
 
Drake was picked to finish first this season in the Missouri Valley Conference Pre-Season Poll. The Bulldogs earned 29 first place votes and 411 cumulative votes. 
 
The Bulldogs return all five starters from last season and the veteran team has an age average of 22 years old.

Senior Roman Penn, who missed the last seven games of the 2020-21 season due to a foot injury, returns to the court for Drake. Penn currently sits in second place in the Drake History books for all-time assists. He needs 64 this season to claim the number one spot in Drake history books and earned First Team All-MVC last season
 
ShanQuan Hemphill returns for his final season with the Bulldogs. He earned MVC Newcomer of the Year after his part in the Bulldogs historic 2020-21 season. Hemphill averaged 13.2 points and 5.9 rebounds last season.
 
The Bulldogs added three players to their roster during the off season, including 2021 Iowa Mr. Basketball, Tucker DeVries. Alongside DeVries is fellow freshman, Conor Enright and graduate transfer Ayo Akinwole.
 
Akinwole joins the Bulldogs after spending four years at Omaha. He averaged 12.5 points, 3.0 assists, and 3.7 rebounds per game.
 
After hosting the Panthers, the Bulldogs open their season against Coe on Nov. 9.