Drake’s Baker’s Dozen Start

13-0 and Setting the Valley Pace

(St. Louis, MO) – After a ‘baker’s dozen’ the Drake Bulldogs are off to an historic start. While Drake’s average margin of victory of 24 points is inflated by two non-Division 1 wins, the recent NCAA National Evaluation Tool ranked DU as the 20^th  best team in the nation. Ken Pomeroy ranks them 60^th (13 spots behind Loyola).

Darian DeVries’ team has explosive balance. While we don’t often use ‘explosive’ and ‘balance’ in the same description, in this case it is true. Drake leads the Missouri Valley Conference in scoring (83.9 ppg), field goal percentage (.535), 3-point shooting (.430), rebounding margin (+9.9) and turnover margin (+3.0).

While putting together this historic start, only two Bulldogs happen to lead the Valley in any statistical category. Roman Penn is the league’s assist leader (5.8 per game) and D.J. Wilkins is the conference’s top long distance marksman (.530). Nine Drake players average double digit minutes per game and ten players average better than three points per game. Six different players lead the team in major statistical categories.

Transfer ShanQuan Hemphill is the team’s leading scorer (14.2 ppg) and human high-light reel. Penn leads in assists and Wilkins in triples, while Garrett Sturtz comes off the bench to lead the Bulldogs in steals (21) and Darnell Brodie, who plays the fewest minutes of any the DeVries’ starters, is the top rebounder (6.5). Wing Tremell Murphy leads with eight blocks.

Sturtz and Joseph Yesufu are the first two players off the bench and are the team’s fourth and fifth leading scorers.

Balance and Depth

DeVries says this balance and depth is helpful. Given the Valley’s back-to-back scheduling that depth pay greater dividends.

 

 

 

Dana Altman, one of DeVries’ mentors at Creighton advocated of team and energetic bench play. He utilized an up-tempo, pressing style of game, similar to what Drake employs.

 

 

Setting the Tone

Penn is setting the Bulldog tone. His personal numbers are better than last season. He is scoring more, handing out more assists, his shooting percentages are up and he is doing all of that during six fewer minutes per game.

Coach DeVries says Penn has taken on a huge leadership role. He is more vocal on the floor, in the locker room and is more efficient in games.

 

 

Newcomer Shanquan Hemphill is setting the tone in other ways. His 14.6 point per game scoring average is important but the way he acquires those points might be equally important. The ‘Tank’s’ thunderous dunks bring an energy and excitement to his teams and his coach. During a ‘no fans’ era, that energy and excitement is sorely needed.

 

 

Veterans Everywhere

A recent on-line graphic illustrated the Drake starting lineup is older than the starters for the Chicago Bulls. With veterans at virtually every spot, Indiana State coach Greg Lansing says Drake plays like a true team and their ‘baker’s dozen’ isn’t an accident.

 

 

One of those veterans is senior center Darnell Brodie. When Liam Robbins left for Minnesota (he was this week’s Big Ten player of the week), he left a huge hole in the Bulldog line-up. Brodie doesn’t do what Robbins could, but Drake isn’t deficient in the post. Brodie’s 6.5 points and 6.5 rebounding averages, means he is holding his own and DU doesn’t have to play a donut offense.

Wilkins Is All-the-Way Back

As an all-freshman team member in 2019, D.J. Wilkins was revelation. He averaged 11 points per game and three assists and seemed headed to MVC stardom. During DU’s last regular season game he broke a bone in his ankle. While he started every game last season, it was evident he wasn’t the same player. He finished the season averaging a respectable 8.9 points, but his shooting percentages were lower.

With a full offseason to work on his game, his shooting accuracy has skyrocketed. DeVries says the reason is simple. Wilkins has worked at it.

Southern Illinois coach Bryan Mullins says Drake’s experience, pace of play and outstanding guard play have contributed to the Bulldogs’ baker’s dozen.

 

 

Marquee Matchup

Drake entertains Loyola this weekend. The Ramblers (7-2, 2-0) are the only other undefeated team in Valley play. Loyola Chicago is the only team that can match Drake’s experience. Network executives recognize the value in this weekend’s encounter and have moved Sunday’s game to 5:30 p.m. and it will be seen nationally on ESPN2.

 

Editor: Cover photo of Hemphill courtesy of @DrakeBulldogsMB