Arch Madness – Who Goes Dancing?

Valley’s Top Two Teams Square Off

(St. Louis, MO) – The Missouri Valley’s top two teams and longest standing rivals meet Sunday in St. Louis to answer the question, ‘who goes dancing?’ Top seeded Drake (29-3) faces second place Bradley (26-7) for the Arch Madness title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament.

The teams split their regular season games with each team winning on the other squad’s home floor. By splitting the season series the two have played one another a conference most 168 times. Bradley holds the historic series edge 94-74.

Drake and Bradley have become the Valley’s two dominant teams. Over the last three seasons Drake has finished first once (this year) and second twice. Bradley has finished first (2023), second and third. The Bulldogs reached the twenty-win plateau for the seventh straight season and Bradley has done it three straight times and in six of the last eight seasons.

Drake is the two-time, defending Arch Madness champion. The two faced each other in the 2023 final with the Bulldogs prevailing 77-61.

These are veteran teams with talent, poise, and outstanding coaches. While their styles are different, both are offensively efficient and play hard-nosed, disciplined defense. Drake coach Ben McCollum calls on his players to impose their will on the opposition. Bradley’s Brian Wardle’s is calling on his players to give ‘elite effort’.

While Drake has been one of the nation’s elite defensive teams, Bradley has routinely led the country in three-point shooting.

Who Goes Dancing? – Perimeter Matchups

Bennett Stirtz versus Duke Deen

Drake’s Stirtz has been, hands down, the league’s best player and earned the Valley’s ‘player of the year’ award and Deen was the preseason recipient of that honor. Stirtz led the Valley in scoring, assists and steals and is the quintessential ‘floor general’. He commands the Drake offense and defense and never rattles.

The meteoric Deen can take over games. His three-point shooting (.403 from deep) and his leadership are essential to the Bradley attack. Deen’s teammates feed off his energy and talent.

The 6’4, steady Stirtz versus the 5’8 firecracker Deen will be great theatre. While Wardle might put defensive star Christian Davis on Stirtz and McCollum may do the same with Isaiah Jackson on Deen, how these two team leaders perform will go a long way toward who prevails on Sunday.

Mitch Mascari versus Christian Davis

Mascari has been a lethal outside shooter, but hasn’t had a lot of impact this weekend. This reporter believes he is nursing an undisclosed injury. His .417 percentage from deep, reminds us of his game-changing ability. Davis is the Valley’s best defender not named to the league’s all-defensive team. He twisted an ankle in the quarterfinals, but played through the pain on Saturday. How that ankle responds today is something that bears watching.

While not a high-volume shooter, Davis is one of the Valley’s best long range snipers (.444). Davis may be the key to this game.

Daniel Abreu versus Zek Montgomery

These are each team’s second leading scorers. The 6’6 wings have made key offensive contributions all season. Abreu is a very good from the perimeter and was named to the Valley’s all-defensive team. Montgomery can shoot the three, but the third-team, all-conference wing is the master of the mid-range.

What About the Paint?

Bradley’s Darius Hannah and Ahmet Jonovic are an imposing front court. Hannah is a high flyer that produces highlight reel dunks and blocks. The 7’1 Jonovic’s game has grown exponentially this season and has taken big steps this weekend. His ability to ‘wall up’ is a defensive advantage.

Drake counters with smaller, but very athletic Cam Manyawu and Tavion Banks. The 6’7 Banks was the Valley’s ‘Sixth Man of the Year’ and averages 9.8 points coming off McCollum’s bench. Their ability to rebound on the offensive end of the floor has been a Drake strength.

How the front courts square off could be the key to this game.

The winner, of course heads to the NCAA Tournament and many believe Drake will participate in March Madness even if they lose. So, the answer to the question of ‘who goes dancing? could be … both. But Bradley will have to win today’s title game for that to be true.

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