The Basics
The Drake men's basketball team returns to the court this week for a pair of games as it continues its opening slate of Missouri Valley Conference games. The Bulldogs first face a tough test as it travels to Peoria, Illinois on Wednesday, Jan. 8, to take on the preseason favorites, the Bradley Braves. Drake then heads back home to host Evansville on Saturday, Jan. 11.
 
Bulldogs by the Numbers
Drake looks to end a two-game skid after falling in its last two games on the road at UIC and at home to Murray State. After last week, the Bulldogs own an overall record of 12-2 and are 2-2 in MVC play. The loss to Murray State this past Sunday marked just the third time in the last 10 seasons as a coach that Ben McCollum has suffered back-to-back losses in games. However, Drake is off to the third best start in school history with its 12-2 mark tying starts by the 1967-68 and 1968-69 Bulldogs teams, while only trailing a 24-1 start by the 2007-08 team and an 18-0 start by the 2020-21 squad.
 
Junior guard Bennett Stirtz has continued to lead the Bulldogs and had a career outing on New Years Day against UIC. Stirtz is just the second player in Missouri Valley Conference history to collect 30-plus points and 10-plus assists in a game joining the legendary Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson. Stirtz collected 30 points and 12 assists at UIC last Wednesday. Robertson achieved the feat three times but never had more than 11 assists in those games. The Liberty, Missouri native is averaging 18.3 points, 6.1 assists and 2.5 steals, leading the MVC in all three of those categories.
 
Mitch Mascari has also proven to be one of the nation's best shooters from long range. The Geneva, Ill. native has made three or more from long range in nine of Drake's 14 games this season and he has made six or more from deep three times. Through games on Jan. 5, he ranks T41 in the nation averaging 3.14 triples per game and ranks ninth in 3-point percentage at 46.81 (44-94). Mascari ranks second in the MVC in three-point baskets made with 44 (3.1 avg.). 44 of his 47 baskets have been three-pointers.
 
Drake Leaders
Bennett Stirtz l 18.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 6.1 apg
Daniel Abreu l 11.9 ppg, 3.4 rpg, .444 FG%
Mitch Mascari l 11.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg, .468 3pt%

 
Scouting Bradley
The Braves, who were picked to finish first in the MVC preseason poll, come into the contest with Drake riding a five-game win streak and sit at 13-2 overall. In MVC play, Bradley has gone 4-0 with a double overtime win over Valparaiso, 81-75, on Dec. 29 and an overtime win against Indiana State, 90-89, on Jan. 1. The Braves have yet to drop a game at Carver Arena this season and are 8-0 at home.
 
The Braves are coached by Brian Wardle, who is in his 10th season at the helm and has amassed a record of 171-140 while at Bradley. In his 15 years as a head coach, Wardle has an overall record of 266-205.
 
Wednesday marks the 167th meeting between Drake and Bradley, renewing the oldest rivalry in the MVC, and the Braves lead the all-time series, 93-73. The Bulldogs have won four-straight against Bradley, however. In games played in Peoria, Drake has gone 24-55. The Bulldogs ended a three-year drought in road games against the Braves with their win at Bradley last season on Feb. 10, 74-67.
 
Bradley Leaders
Duke Deen l 15.1 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 4.1 apg
Zek Montgomery l 13.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg, .487 FG%
Darius Hannah l 12.6 ppg, 6.0 rpg, .571 FG%
 

Scouting Evansville
The Aces are currently 5-10 on the season and are 2-2 in conference play. Evansville picked up wins over Southern Illinois and Missouri State but lost to Indiana State and Murray State in MVC play. The Aces are scheduled to host Illinois State on Wednesday before making their trip to Des Moines.
 
David Ragland is the head coach of Evansville and is in his third season at the helm of the program. The Aces have tallied a record of 27-55 during his tenure.
 
Drake leads the all-time series over Evansville at a mark of 34-28. In games that have been played in Des Moines, the Bulldogs own a record of 20-10 over the Aces. Drake has won the previous 11 matchups against Evansville with its last loss coming on January 2, 2019, in Evansville.
 
Evansville Leaders
Gabriel Pozzato l 15.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg, .491 FG%
Tayshawn Comer l 13.1 ppg, 3.7 apg, 3.1 rpg
Cameron Haffner l 12.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg, .448 FG%
 
Up Next
Drake will split next week's contest with one at home and one on the road. The Bulldogs will first take on Illinois State from the Knapp Center on Jan. 15 and then head to Indiana State to challenge the Sycamores on Jan. 18.