The Basics
The Drake men's basketball team is ready to return to the court for the 2026-27 season. The Bulldogs begin their new season with a pair of contests from the Knapp Center this week first hosting Central College for the season opener on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 6:30 p.m. followed by a matchup versus Southern on Sunday, Nov. 8 at 2 p.m.
 
Bulldogs by the Numbers
Drake head coach Eric Henderson begins his second season leading the Bulldog program after finishing his first season with an overall record of 14-20 and going 6-14 in league play. Despite a down year, Henderson and the Bulldogs ended the 2025-26 season on a high note by making a run to the MVC Tournament semifinals as the No. 9 seed. The Bulldogs' continued success at Arch Madness was highlighted by an upset win over the No. 1 seed Belmont in the quarterfinals.

Drake had three players named to the Missouri Valley Conference Preseason Players to Watch List in Jon Carroll, Owen Larson, and Eli Shetlar.

The Bulldogs set a new program record for three-pointers made in a season with 311 a year ago. The Bulldogs launched a total of 910 shots from beyond the arc, which was also a program record, and shot 34-percent for the season. Drake returns three of its top five shooters from long range from last season with Shetlar, Andrew Alia, and Larson. Shetlar led the team making 77 three-balls last year while shooting at a clip of nearly 40-percent (.395). The Wichita, Kansas natives 77 makes from deep are tied for the 14th most in a single season by a Bulldog.

The 2026-27 Drake men's basketball roster features six returners from last season and eight newcomers (four freshman and four transfers).
 
Key Drake Returners
Owen Larson l 10.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.8 apg
Eli Shetlar l 9.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.3 apg
Andrew Alia l 7.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.5 apg

Scouting Central
The Dutch make the trip to Des Moines in what will serve as an exhibition match for the Division III program. Last season Central went 12-13 overall and carried a league record of 5-11. Central starts its official season on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at Augustana (Ill.).

The Dutch are led by head coach Conor Riordan, who is in his second season leading the program. Riordan was named Central's head men's basketball coach in December 2025 after serving as the interim coach since June. Prior to becoming head coach, he served as an assistant beginning in 2022.

Drake and Central will meet for the first time on the hardwood in 76 years. The last meeting between the Bulldogs and the Dutch happened on Dec. 4, 1950, from Des Moines. The all-time series between Drake and Central dates back to 1908 and the Bulldogs are a perfect 14-0 in contests against the Dutch. The final score of the first ever meeting between the two schools was 29-27. Drake is 10-0 in games from Des Moines against Central.

Key Central Returners
Kyle Cason l 13.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.6 apg
Owen Schipper l 12.5 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 2.9 apg
Braylon Thomsen l 11.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg, .407 3pt%
 
Scouting Southern
The Jaguars opened their season on Monday with a road loss at SMU, 85-72. Southern will play one more game at TCU on Friday, Nov. 6 before it makes the trek up north to Des Moines to face the Bulldogs. Last season Southern ended the year with an overall record of 17-17 and went 11-7 in the SWAC. The Jaguars were picked to finish second in the SWAC for the 2026-27 season in the leagues preseason poll.

The head coach for Southern is Kevin Johnson who is in his fourth season at the program. During his tenure, Johnson has amassed a record of 55-44 leading the Jaguars.

Drake and Southern have matched up one time previously on Dec. 16, 1986, from Des Moines. The Bulldogs won that meeting by a score of 81-58.
 
Key Southern Players
R'Chaun King l 12.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, .714 FG%
Daniel Dormu l 10.0 ppg, .364 FG%, .400 3pt%
Malik Ferguson l 9.0 ppg, .600 FG%, .667 3pt%

Up Next
Drake takes on South Dakota on Friday, Nov. 13 from the Knapp Center. Tip-off against the Coyotes is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.