Noah Gurley basket put No. 10 Alabama ahead to stay and Crimson Tide used a late run to avoid being upset for the second consecutive day, holding off Drake, 8
Noah Gurley basket put No. 10 Alabama ahead to stay and Crimson Tide used a late run to avoid being upset for the second consecutive day, holding off Drake, 8
KNBN NewsCenter1
January 4, 2021
Ford Center, Evansville, Indiana; Wednesday, 1 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: MVC foes meet as Drake battles Evansville. Both teams are coming off of home victories this past Sunday. Evansville earned a 70-64 win over Northern Iowa, while Drake won 73-55 over Southern Illinois.
SUPER SENIORS: Drake has relied heavily on its seniors. Shanquan Hemphill, Roman Penn, D.J. Wilkins and Tremell Murphy have collectively accounted for 55 percent of the team’s scoring this year and 64 percent of all Bulldogs points over the team’s last five games.
DEFENSIVE IMPROVEMENTS: The Purple Aces have given up only 65 points per game to conference opponents thus far, an improvement from the 72.7 per game they allowed in non-conference play.SHAMAR CAN SHOOT: Shamar Givance has connected on 37.9 percent of the 29 3-pointers he’s attempted and has made 6 of 11 over the last three games. He’s also made 80.8 percent of his free throws this season.
Drake, Loyola-Chicago eye conference win
December 29, 2020 GMT
Joseph J. Gentile Center, Chicago; Wednesday, 1 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Drake takes on Loyola of Chicago as both teams look to remain unbeaten in MVC games. Each team has two wins in conference play this season. Drake beat Indiana State by seven on the road in its last outing. Loyola of Chicago is coming off an 86-55 home win over Illinois State in its most recent game.
SUPER SENIORS: Drake has relied heavily on its seniors. Roman Penn, Shanquan Hemphill, D.J. Wilkins and Tremell Murphy have collectively accounted for 55 percent of the team’s scoring this year and 67 percent of all Bulldogs points over the team’s last five games.POTENT PENN: Penn has connected on 40.9 percent of the 22 3-pointers he’s attempted and has made 4 of 10 over the last five games. He’s also made 70.4 percent of his foul shots this season.
Indiana St. seeks revenge on Drake
December 27, 2020 GMT
Hulman Center, Terre Haute, Indiana; Monday, 5 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Drake goes for the season sweep over Indiana State after winning the previous matchup in Terre Haute. The teams last faced each other on Dec. 27, when the Bulldogs shot 54.1 percent from the field while holding Indiana State’s shooters to just 38.8 percent en route to an 18-point victory.
SAVVY VETERANS: Senior leadership has been on display for both of these teams. Jake LaRavia, Tyreke Key and Randy Miller Jr. have collectively scored 50 percent of Indiana State’s points this season. For Drake, Shanquan Hemphill, Roman Penn, D.J. Wilkins and Tremell Murphy have collectively accounted for 55 percent of all Drake scoring, including 62 percent of the team’s points over its last five games.JUMPING FOR JAKE: LaRavia has connected on 22.2 percent of the nine 3-pointers he’s attempted and has gone 2 for 8 over the last five games. He’s also converted 7