The Basics
The Drake men's basketball team continues the conference portion of its schedule with a pair of games this week. The Bulldogs first welcome Valparaiso to the Knapp Center on Relays Night, Wednesday, Jan. 22, and then hit the road to take on Missouri State on Saturday, Jan. 25.
 
Wednesday's contest against Valpo will serve as the annual Relays Night celebration. More information on all that coincides with Relays Night will be released later.
 
Bulldogs by the Numbers
Drake is back to its winning ways following a two-game skid earlier this month as it has rattled off four consecutive wins to improve to 16-2 overall and 6-2 in conference play. Last week, the Bulldogs tallied two more wins to their season total with victories over Illinois State at home and Indiana State on the road. Drake has achieved the third best start in school history with its 16-2 mark — only trailing a 24-1 start by the 2007-08 team and an 18-0 start by the 2020-21 squad.
 
The Bulldog defense has proven to be one of the best in the country so far this season. Drake is ranked second in the NCAA in scoring defense, allowing opponents just 57.1 points per game. Drake has held 12 of 18 opponents to season lows in scoring at the time when it played those teams: York (41), Stephen F. Austin (51), Florida Gulf Coast (61), Miami (69), Florida Atlantic (63), Vanderbilt (70), Georgia Southern (47), Valpo (60), St. Ambrose (35), Belmont (46), Bradley (57), and Indiana State (53). Only six MVC teams since 1979 have held teams to below 57.0 points per game for a season. Also, only four teams in the past 20 seasons have allowed 58.0 or fewer points, recorded 9.0 steals per game, and held opponents to less than 43.0 field goal shooting -- Drake is one of those four.
 
Graduate guard Mitch Mascari, who led the Bulldogs in their last game with 19 points at Indiana State, continues his sharp shooting season from beyond the arc. The Geneva, Ill. native has made three or more from long range in 12 of Drake's 18 games this season, he's had four games this season where he has made five-plus treys in a game, and he has made six or more from deep three times. Through games on Jan. 20, he ranks T21 in the nation averaging 3.17 triples per game and ranks fourth in 3-point percentage at 46.34 (57-123). Mascari ranks second in the MVC in three-point baskets made with 57 (3.2 avg.). 57 of his 61 baskets have been three-pointers and his 57 makes from beyond the arc are tied for the 39th most in season by a Drake player.
 
Drake Leaders
Bennett Stirtz l 17.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 6.4 apg
Daniel Abreu l 11.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg, .441 FG%
Mitch Mascari l 11.3 ppg, 2.1 rpg, .463 3pt%

Scouting Valparaiso
The Beacons head to Des Moines with an overall record of 10-9 and are 3-5 in Missouri Valley Conference play. After going on a three-game win streak over Missouri State, UNI, and Indiana State to begin the month, Valpo now rides a three-game losing streak coming into its matchup against Drake on Wednesday night with losses to Murray State, Belmont, and UIC.
 
Valpo is coached by Roger Powell Jr. who is in his second season at the helm. During Powell's time as head coach, the Beacons have gone 17-34, but have already surpassed their win total from a season ago (7).
 
The Bulldogs and the Beacons have matched up a total of 21 times coming into the contest on Wednesday night with Drake leading the series, 13-8. The Bulldogs have won seven straight against the Beacons, including the MVC opener this season on Dec. 5 in Valparaiso. In games that have taken place in Des Moines, Drake is 9-1 all-time against Valpo.

Valparaiso Leaders
Cooper Schwieger l 14.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1.6 bpg
Tyler Schmidt l 12.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.3 spg
Jefferson De La Cruz Monegro l 11.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.1 apg
 
Scouting Missouri State
The Bears post an overall record of 7-12 on the season and have struggled in conference play at 0-8. Missouri State has lost seven in-a-row coming into the week and will play UNI in Cedar Falls on Tuesday night before hosting the Bulldogs.
 
Missouri State is led by head coach Cuonzo Martin, who is serving his second stint leading the program. Martin was the head coach of Missouri State from 2008-11 before returning to Springfield this season. Over his four seasons at Missouri State, Martin has a record of 68-53. Over his 15 years as a head coach, Martin has a career record of 271-210 with stops at Tennessee, California, and Missouri along with MoState.
 
In the all-time series between Drake and Missouri State, the Bears have the edge leading 49-23. Over the last 10 matchups, the two sides have gone an even 5-5. Last season Drake and Missouri State split their two games with the home team winning on their floor. The Bulldogs have had their struggles playing in Springfield over the years as they own a record of 6-28 in road contests against the Bears.
 
Missouri State Leaders
Dez White l 15.8 ppg, 2.8 apg, 2.8 rpg
Vincent Brady II l 13.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, .442 FG%
Michael Osei-Bonsu l 10.3 ppg, 7.1 rpg, .547 FG%
 
Up Next
The Bulldogs will return to the Knapp Center on Wednesday, Jan. 29 to host in-state rival UNI and then will be on the road to begin the month of February with a contest at Southern Illinois on Saturday, Feb. 1.