The Basics
Drake men's basketball returns to the court for the start of the 2025-26 season in a neutral site contest from Sioux Falls, South Dakota against Northern Arizona. The Bulldogs and the Lumberjacks will take part in the Field of 68's Opening Day Marathon from the Sanford Pentagon among the hundreds of college basketball games being played across the country. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT with the game being broadcast on the Field of 68's YouTube and X channels.
 
Bulldogs by the Numbers
The Bulldogs are under a new regime this season with head coach Eric Henderson taking the helm of the program. Henderson was hired on March 28, 2025, after spending the previous six seasons as the head coach of South Dakota State. Henderson amassed a record of 129-60 during his time in Brookings and took the Jackrabbits to two NCAA Tournaments.
 
In Henderson's first season in Des Moines, the Bulldogs will have a new look roster with 11 newcomers (seven transfers/four freshmen) and only two players returning from the 2024-25 team. Drake returns less than one percent in the stat categories of scoring, rebounds, assists, and steals from a season ago.
 
Redshirt junior, Andrew Alia, and redshirt sophomore, Eli Shetlar, are the returners on the Bulldog roster. The seven transfers include: Braden Appelhans, Isaiah Carr, Wilguens Jr. Exacte, Okku Federiko, Owen Larson, Jalen Quinn, and Jaehshon Thomas. The freshmen class consists of: Bryson Bahl, Heri Bukinga, Griffen Goodbary, and LJ Rush.
 
Drake had three players named to the Missouri Valley Conference Preseason Players to Watch List in Carr, Quinn, and Thomas.
 
Scouting Northern Arizona
The Lumberjacks are coming off a 2024-25 campaign in which they won 18 games, the most for the program since 2014-15, and a postseason trip to the College Basketball Invitational. This season, NAU has a reloaded roster with only three returners from last season. The Lumberjacks bring in seven transfers and four true freshmen to complete their roster. NAU was voted 10th in the Big Sky Preseason Coaches and Media Polls.
 
Northern Arizona is led by head coach Shane Burcar, who is in his seventh season leading the Lumberjacks. During his tenure, Burcar has amassed a record of 75-111 while in Flagstaff.
 
Drake and Northern Arizona have met on the court just one time previously. That game occurred on Nov. 30, 2013, in another neutral site setting from Fresno, California as part of the Fresno State Classic. The Bulldogs came away with the win, 76-56, and were led by Chris Caird who finished with 16 points and five rebounds.
 
Northern Arizona Returners
Diego Campisano l 7.1 ppg, 2.3 rpg, .430 FG%
Ryan Abelman l 4.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg, .393 3pt%
Oakland Fort l 4.3 ppg, 1.8 apg, 1.7 rpg
 
Up Next
Drake will be back in Des Moines for its home opener against Robert Morris on Thursday, Nov. 6. Tipoff is schedule for 6:30 p.m. CT. Thursdays game will also serve as Championship Celebration Night and will commemorate the accomplishments of Drake men's basketball last season.