THE BASICS
The Drake University men's basketball team will close out the 2021 calendar year and non-conference play with a pair of home games.
Drake will play Chicago State in the Knapp Center on Wednesday, Dec. 22 at 5 p.m. The two teams were initially scheduled to play in Des Moines on Dec. 19, but the game was postponed due to health and safety concerns within the Chicago State men's basketball program.
Admission for Wednesday's game against Chicago State is free of charge with open seating. Spectators are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item, which will be donated to the
Drake Neighborhood Little Free Pantries.
What to donate to the pantries: Non-perishable goods and hygiene products. Kid Friendly Favorites: Heat and serve Meals, Canned pasta, ravioli, mac and cheese, individually sized snacks, gummies, chips, cookies, crackers, granola bars, pretzels, Drink boxes/pouches, drink packets for water, Peanut butter, Jelly, Cereal, Instant Oatmeal Packets, Soup, Ramen, Microwave cake & brownie mix, instant Jell-O / pudding, Jell-O & pudding cups.
"Since this game was not on the schedule and was coordinated with short notice, we are not able to staff this event like we normally do," Drake Director of Athletics
Brian Hardin said. "This means the Knapp Center gameday experience will look and feel a little different Wednesday. However, I know our fans will appreciate the opportunity to see Des Moines' Hometown Team play one more time this week while also supporting our Drake neighborhood through the food drive."
Doors will open at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 22. Limited concessions will be available.
There will not be a live video stream of the Chicago State game, however the game will be broadcasted via radio on 1350 AM/102.1 FM ESPN Des Moines and available to listen to on the Varsity Network App. Live stats will also be available on godrakebulldogs.com.
Drake's Las Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic matchup against Saint Louis scheduled for Dec. 22 was canceled due to COVID-19 protocols within the Saint Louis men's basketball program.
Mount Marty, from Yankton, S.D., will take on the Bulldogs on Tuesday, Dec. 28 at 7 p.m.
SCOUTING CHICAGO STATE
Chicago State is 4-8 overall after a 79-48 loss at Iowa State on Tuesday night (Dec. 21).
Junior guard Brandon Betson leads the way with 15.3 points per game, 31 total assists and 14 total steals. Jahsean Corbett leads CSU with 7.5 rebounds per game and averages 11.8 points a night.
Gerald Gillion in his first season at the helm of the Chicago State men's basketball program.
SCOUTING MOUNT MARTY
The Lancers are 4-13 overall and most recently defeated Waldorf on a buzzer beater on Dec. 17.
Forward Tyrell Harper nearly averages a double-double with 13.7 points and 9.7 rebounds per game.
Mount Marty is an NAIA institution and led by head coach Collin Authier.
CHICAGO STATE SERIES NOTES
This will be the 10
th meeting between Drake and Chicago State in men's basketball as the Bulldogs lead the all-time series, 9-0.
Drake defeated the Cougars, 111-67 in the last matchup on Dec. 20, 2020 inside the Knapp Center. Hemphill scored a team-high 21 points while
Darnell Brodie added 14 points and nine rebounds.
MOUNT MARTY SERIES NOTES
This will be the second meeting between Drake and Mount Marty in men's basketball.
Drake defeated Mount Marty on Dec. 17, 2019 by a score of 92-74.
D.J. Wilkins scored 10 points with five rebounds and three assists.
Garrett Sturtz added eight points and seven rebounds.
NEW LINEUP, SAME RESULTS
With three-year starter
Tremell Murphy sidelined, Drake coach
Darian DeVries was forced to employ his fourth different starting lineup of the season with
D.J. Wilkins,
ShanQuan Hemphill,
Garrett Sturtz,
Darnell Brodie and
Tucker DeVries starting Sunday against UT Martin.
The Bulldogs responded by collecting a season-high 19 assists en route to an 80-54 victory. It also marked the third time Drake had five or more players score in double figures.
DAILY DOUBLE
Drake relied on the duo of
ShanQuan Hemphill and
Garrett Sturtz to turn back Jackson State, 70-65, in overtime last Thursday.
Hemphill, who has come on strong in recent games after a slow start to the season, led the Bulldogs with 17 points and a season-high 12 rebounds -- his first double-double this season and third of his Drake career. Sturtz added 14 points and 10 rebounds -- the fourth time in his career he has reached double figures in both categories.
The last time Drake had two players with double-doubles in the same game occurred Feb. 6, 2021 at Valparaiso when
Tremell Murphy collected 11 points and 11 rebounds and Hemphill had 18 points and 10 rebounds.
GIFT FOR PARENTS
Drake redshirt sophomore guard
Okay Djamgouz provided a present for his parents who traveled all the way from Toronto, Ontario, to watch him play Sunday.
Djamgouz, appearing in his sixth game of the season, playing 20 minutes 54 seconds and responded with a career-high 15 points including a career-high three three-point baskets, to share team scoring honors in Drake's 80-54 romp past UT Martin.
HOME SUCCESS
Drake was 14-1 at home last season and has won 29 of its last 30 games in the venue and owns 30 straight home wins against non-conference foes. A streak that dates to Dec. 19, 2017.
Drake has gone 59-8 at home since 2017-18, the second-best home record in the Valley.
MID-MAJOR TOP 25 POLL
Drake is ranked No. 12 in the latest men's basketball CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 poll.
