The Basics
The Drake men's basketball team concludes its three-game homestand to open the season as it hosts Florida Gulf Coast from the Knapp Center on Saturday, No. 16. Tip-off against the Eagles is slated for 7:00 p.m.
 
Bulldogs by the Numbers
The Bulldogs have won their first two games of the season defeating York, 93-41, in the season opener on Nov. 4 followed by a 66-51 win over Stephen F. Austin on Nov. 10.

Drake has been tenacious on the defensive end of the floor to start the year allowing just 46.0 points per game in its first two wins. That mark sees Drake ranked first in the nation. The Bulldogs have also forced 38 turnovers in their first two games played, translating to an average of 19.00 turnovers forced per game, which ranks tied for 24th in the country.

Graduate guard Mitch Mascari led the Bulldogs in their win over SFA last time out scoring 26 points to go along with four rebounds and three assists. Mascari did the majority of his damage from long range hitting eight three-pointers in the contest, which was one shy of tying the program record for three-point field goals made in a game by a single player. Junior guard Bennett Stirtz also chipped in with 13 points, four rebounds, four assists, and four steals.
 
Drake Leaders
Daniel Abreu l 18.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, .524 FG%
Mitch Mascari l 16.0 ppg, 3.0 apg, 10-20 3pt, .500 3pt%
Bennett Stirtz l 15.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 5.5 apg, 6 stl

 
Scouting FGCU
The Eagles have gone winless to open their 2024-25 campaign losing their first three contests to UNC Greensboro, TCU, and St. Bonaventure. In their most recent game against St. Bonaventure, FGCU was led by Zavian McLean with 16 points while Dallion Johnson and Rory Stewart added 13 and 11 points, respectively.
 
After going 14-18 overall and 8-8 in conference play last season, the Eagles were picked to finish fourth in the ASUN Preseason Poll for the 2024-25 season. A player to watch for FGCU is Keeshawn Kellman who was a unanimous selection to the Preseason All-ASUN team along with being tabbed the ASUN Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
 
Saturday will mark the first-ever meeting between the Bulldogs and the Eagles.
 
FGCU Leaders
Keeshawn Kellman l 13.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, .680 FG%
Dallion Johnson l 11.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 0.7 apg
Rory Stewart l 8.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg, .409 FG%
 
Up Next
Drake will make a trip out to the east coast to participate in the Shriners Children's Charleston Classic from Charleston, S.C., Nov. 21-24. The Bulldogs will open the tournament with a rematch of their 2023 NCAA Tournament game against the Miami Hurricanes on Nov. 21.