THE BASICS
Off to a 2-0 start, the Drake men's basketball team has traveled to the Cayman Islands Classic in George Town, Grand Cayman for three games in three days starting with a 10 a.m. central time matchup against Oakland on Friday, Nov. 19.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Every game of the Cayman Islands Classic will be streamed on FloHoops (paid subscription required) with Matt Martucci (play-by-play) and Jess Settles (analyst). All of Drake's games at the Cayman Islands Classic will air live on 1250/102.1 ESPN Des Moines with play-by-play voice Michael Admire and Drake's all-time leading scorer Reed Timmer.
TOURNAMENT SUCCESS
Drake has won three early-season tournaments under the leadership of Darian DeVries. First was the 2018 Continental Tires Las Vegas Classic (wins over SIU Edwardsville, Rider, New Mexico State and San Diego.
The Bulldogs claimed the 2020 Little Apple Classic with victories against South Dakota and Kansas State.
The Bulldogs captured the Paradise Jam championship in the Virgin Islands, beating Buffalo (80-72) and Wyoming (61-56) before toppling Tarleton State (71-64) in the championship. Tucker DeVries was named Paradise Jam Tournament MVP.
SCOUTING OAKLAND
Oakland will head to the Cayman Islands with a 1-2 record, and they're coming off an 81-62 win over Bowling Green in their home opener. The Golden Grizzlies began their season with road games against Big Ten opponents Ohio State and 25th-ranked Illinois. Junior forward Trey Townsend scored a team-high 20 points in the win over Bowling Green while Jack Gohlke added 14.
Oakland was picked to finish sixth in the Horizon League Preseason Poll with Trey Townsend selected to the league's preseason all-first team.
The Golden Grizzlies finished last season with a 13-19 overall mark, including 11-9 in the Horizon League.
Greg Kampe is the longest-tenured coach in Division One men's basketball, in his 40th season with Oakland. He has compiled a record of 676-527 during his tenure with Oakland.
DRAKE VS. THE BRACKET
Besides playing Oakland for the first time ever, Drake has the potential to meet three other opponents in the tournament for the first time in Akron, Marshall and FIU.
Drake has played Stephen F. Austin and Loyola Marymount once before. The Bulldogs lost to the Lumberjacks in 2008, 66-64 on Dec. 13, 2008. and defeated Loyola Marymount 92-69 back on Dec. 21, 1962. Utah State leads the series 2-1 over Drake with the last meeting occurring on Nov. 18, 2006 in Fairbanks, Alaska.
The Bulldogs will play either Loyola Marymount or Stephen F. Austin after Oakland at the Cayman Islands. LMU enters the trip with a 2-1 record.
LMU was picked to finish fourth in the West Coast Conference preseason poll with senior forward Keli Leaupepe tabbed to the Preseason All-WCC team.
The Lions finished last season with a 19-12 overall mark, including 9-7 in the West Coast Conference.
Stan Johnson is in his third year at the helm of the LMU program. He's earned a record of 32-31 since taking over the program. Johnson was an assistant coach at Drake from 2011-2013.
Stephen F. Austin heads to the Cayman Islands with a 2-1 record on the season.
Stephen F. Austin was picked to finish second in the Western Athletic Conference preseason poll with junior forward Sadaidriene Hall selected to the preseason All-WAC team.
The Lumberjacks finished the 2022-23 campaign with a record of 19-13 and an 11-7 mark in the WAC.
Kyle Keller is in his eighth year at the helm of the Stephen F. Austin program, earning a record of 147-69.
UP NEXT
Drake men's basketball will return home to play host to Texas Southern on Saturday, Nov. 25 at 6 p.m.
