The Basics
Drake women's basketball is set to open their 2022 campaign with a home matchup against the Phoenix of Green Bay. Drake will look to improve upon last year's WNIT berth and 20-win season as one of the MVC's frontrunners. The Bulldogs and Phoenix will tip off on Monday, Nov. 7 at 6 p.m. in the Knapp Center.
 
Excellent Exhibition
The Bulldogs recently faced off against NCAA Division II for Northwest Missouri State in their first exhibition contest of the 2022 season. Drake dismantled the Bearcats 84-41 on Oct. 30.
 
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.
 
Pohl Position
Suzie Glazer Burt Head Coach Allison Pohlman is embarking on her second season at the helm of the Drake women's hoops program. During her debut season, Pohlman became the second Drake Coach in school history to win her coaching debut when Drake beat Creighton in Nov., joining Carole Baumgarten who accomplished it in 1974, beating Iowa 74-65. Since 2007 when Pohlman joined the program, Drake has been ranked 15 times within four different polls. Pohlman finished with a record of 20-14 overall in her first year.
 
Multiplying the MVC
The Missouri Valley Conference made major changes in the offseason with the addition of three new schools. Belmont and Murray State enter the league from the Ohio Valley Conference while UIC transfers over from the Horizon League. Belmont was tabbed as the preseason favorite in the 2022-23 coaches' and media poll.
 
Meyer Making Moves
Megan Meyer comes into her senior season with lofty expectations. The former Iowa transfer tied for the team-high with an average of 12.1 ppg last season. She also added almost three rebounds and over two assists per contest. Meyer's promise did not go unnoticed as the reigning MVC Newcomer of the Year and All-MVC First-Team member was named to the 2022-23 Preseason All-MVC Team.
 
Berg Booming for Bulldogs
Redshirt senior Grace Berg aims to be a key cog in the Bulldog machine this season. The Indianola, Iowa native was named to the All-MVC First-Team last year after averaging 11.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg, and 2.7 apg. Berg was also named to the Preseason All-MVC Team.
 
Bair Down
Of Drake's four returning starters, forward Maggie Bair might be the most undervalued. The senior tied for the team-lead with 12.1 points per game and a Bulldog- best 6.2 rebounds per game during an All-MVC Honorable Mention season.
 
Sophomore Stars
The Bulldogs attack includes two stellar sophomores, Katie Dinnebier and Anna Miller. The tandem averaged 8.9 ppg and 7.9 ppg, respectively, as true freshman last season. Both second-year players look to take a leap and become an increased issue for opposing teams.
 
New Dogs on the Block
Drake welcomed in a pair of freshman players in their most recent recruiting class. First-years Taedyn Gray of Lenexa, Kan. and Ava Hawthorne of nearby Ames, Iowa now sport the blue and white. Both freshmen were phenomenal prep players in their respective states.
 
Scouting Green Bay
Green Bay begins the year with similar expectations to the Bulldogs. Green Bay was selected to finish second in the 2022-23 Horizon League Preseason Poll with two first-place votes. The Phoenix posted records of 19-8 overall and 14-4 in Horizon League play last season and ended their campaign with a 73-65 loss to Minnesota in the WNIT.
 
Green Bay was represented on the Horizon League All-Conference lists with a pair of student-athletes. Senior guard Hailey Oskey received First-Team recognition after posting 12.5 ppg and 3.1 rpg a season ago. Bailey Butler was named to the Preseason All-Horizon League Second Team after a solid rookie campaign.
 
The Phoenix are led by Kevin Borseth. The Green Bay head coach is about to begin his 19th season at the helm of the Green Bay program and 35th year as an NCAA head coach. Borseth has posted a career record of 766-303 and a record of 454-133 at Green Bay.
 
Drake trails in the all-time series with Green Bay by a 6-2 margin. The Phoenix have won the last four matchups between the two teams including the most recent, a 69-61 result in Green Bay. The Bulldogs' last win over Green Bay came in 2008 at the Knapp Center.

Up Next
The Bulldogs will host a pair of local power conference opponents. Drake will welcome in-state rival and fourth-ranked Iowa to the Knapp Center on Monday, Nov. 13 then host 22nd-ranked Nebraska on Saturday Nov. 19.