The Basics
Drake women's basketball is set to kick off the 2022 FIU Thanksgiving Classic in Miami, Fla. The Bulldogs will get the holiday invitational underway on Friday, Nov. 25 at 1 p.m. against UMass. Depending on the results of the Bulldogs' opener, Drake will then battle either the hosts from Florida International or Howard on Sunday, Nov. 27.

Balanced Bulldogs
Drake has benefitted from a balanced offensive attack through their first two games. Four of the five Bulldog starters are averaging double-figures led by Katie Dinnebier's 16 ppg. Drake is shooting at a solid 48.9% clip.
 
Dinnebier's Domination
Sophomore guard Katie Dinnebier has been phenomenal for Drake through three games. The Waukee, Iowa product is leading the Bulldogs in scoring and distributing with 16 ppg, good for fifth in the MVC, and 4.3 apg, sixth in the league. 
 
Berg Booming for Bulldogs
Grace Berg has had a phenomenal start to the season for Drake with an average of 14.7 points per game, 6.3 rebounds per game, and 3.0 assists per game through the Bulldogs' first two contests. Berg's hot start includes a 20-point performance in the season debut vs. Green Bay (11/7).
 
Don't Poke the Bair
Drake forward Maggie Bair has been another shining star for the Bulldogs in the early portion of the 2022 season. Bair is averaging 15.7 points and 7.7 rebounds per contest. The Glen Ellyn, Ill. native is also leading the Valley with an impressive field goal percentage of 64.3%.
 
Sharpshooting Sarah Beth
Sarah Beth Gueldner has had a productive start to her senior season. Gueldner is averaging 12.7 points per game and is currently second in the MVC with a 52.6% three-point shooting rate including four made triples in back-to-back matchups.
 
Not in Her House
Forward Anna Miller's 10 blocks lead both Drake and the MVC. She is the only player in the conference to record double-digit blocks so far this season and is ageraging 3.3 blocks per game.
 
Receiving Votes
Drake received eight votes in the most recent installment of the Associated Press Top 25 Poll. Their most votes in the Associated Press Top 25 poll since being ranked No. 17 on March 4, 2019
 
Bulldogs on Holiday
Since 2015, Drake has participated in six different holiday tournaments in various locations around the U.S. and Canada. In that stretch, the Bulldogs have gone 11-4 in invitational play with an average of 80.1 points per game.
 
Ranked Road Ahead
The Bulldogs' non-conference schedule doesn't get any easier as Drake is set for two more contests against ranked opponents. The Bulldogs will travel to No. 16 Creighton and No. 5 Iowa State in December.
 
Prior to last weekend's triumph over No. 22 Nebraska, the Bulldogs' last victory against a nationally ranked team was a 90-85 overtime win against then No. 12 ranked South Carolina, Nov. 24, 2018, for third place in the Vancouver (Canada) Showcase. It was the highest win over a ranked opponent for Drake since the Bulldogs upset then No. 7 Baylor in the second round of the 2002 NCAA Tournament in Waco, Texas.
 
Drake was tabbed third in the 2022-23 MVC Preseason Poll. The Bulldogs were selected to finish behind conference newcomer and multiple-NCAA Tournament game winner Belmont and last year's Hoops in the Heartland champion Illinois State. Drake earned six first place votes.
 
Elevated Expectations
Drake was tabbed third in the 2022-23 MVC Preseason Poll. The Bulldogs were selected to finish behind conference newcomer and multiple-NCAA Tournament game winner Belmont and last year's Hoops in the Heartland champion Illinois State. Drake earned six first place votes.
 
Scouting UMass
UMass enters the holiday weekend with a 4-1 overall record and a current winning streak of three games. The Minutewomen have yet to play a neutral site contest this season. Their lone loss came on the road at No. 5 Tennessee by a 74-65 score. Since that top-five defeat, UMass rattled off three-straight wins against Maine, Harvard, and UMass Lowell.
 
The Minutewomen are averaging just over 70 points per game with a plethora of offensive options. Sydney Taylor is leading UMass with an average of 17.2 ppg followed by Sam Breen (15.4), Makennah White (11.2), Ber'Nyah Mayo (10.4), and Destiney Philoxy (10.4). Taylor has been especially potent from deep range with a solid 36.8% three-point rate.
 
Sam Breen and Makennah White have led UMass on the glass with rebounding averages of 8.8 per game and 7.2 per game, respectively. Philoxey has been the primary distributor for the Minutewomen with a 5.2 assists per contest and is also the only UMass player averaging multiple steals.
 
Tory Verdi is in his seventh season leading the UMass women's basketball program and 12th year as a Division I head coach. During his tenure at UMass, Verdi has produced a 105-80 record.
 
Friday's matchup will be the first-ever meeting between Drake and UMass. The Bulldogs are 8-5 all-time against Atlantic 10 Conference opponents with an average of 73.4 points per game.

Up Next
Drake will return to Des Moines for their next tilt when they host Lindenwood on Thursday, Dec. 1. The game between the Bulldogs and Lions will be the program's annual Pack the Knapp for Character game hosted by the Ray Center.