Creighton hits the road once again in Missouri Valley Conference play on Wednesday night. Luckily for them, the travel is light with only a two hour drive down I-80 to take on the Drake Bulldogs in Des Moines. As we start the second half of the MVC conference season, teams will be ratcheting up the intensity and pressing to try and get themselves in position for a late season run and seeding for the MVC tournament in a little over a month.
Drake has been playing well since conference season started and are sitting in a three way tie for third place in the Valley standings. It is a big week for the Bulldogs as they host both Creighton and Wichita State. If they get a couple of wins here, they will be knocking on the door in the conference race separating themselves from the bottom of the league.
The Bulldogs were in Omaha a few weeks ago and although the Bluejays walked away with a win, it was the turnovers that kept them from blowing the game open. Tonight looks like it could be one of those games where if the turnovers resurface, Creighton could be primed for an upset.
For an update on what has been happening with Drake since then, we talked to the Bulldogs radio play-by-play announcer Larry Cotlar to give us some insight on Drake. Here is what he had to say.
White & Blue Review: What has changed with Drake since the beginning of the season that has caused them to play better in conference play?
Larry Cotlar: The improvement in the Bulldogs since the start of the season comes from improved defense and rebounding. They have been limiting their opponents to around 40-percent shooting in the last five games. They have also gotten more offensive productivity from the bench such as from Kurt Alexander, averaging 12 points per game in the last five games, Kraidon Woods and Aaron Hawley. And, of course, their stars Ben Simons and Rayvonte Rice have stepped up as well.
WBR: Ben Simons has really come on this season, but in a quiet way. How has he improved his game since last season.
LC: As far as Ben is concerned, he is more confident shooting the ball and taking charge when necessary. Where he has most improved, however, is on defense, where he is often asked to guard the opponents’ top offensive threat. For example, he recently held Evansville’s Colt Ryan to a season-low six points in the ‘Dogs win there.
WBR: The Bulldogs have a big week with hosting both Creighton and Wichita State. Do the fans realize what a big week it is for Drake basketball and how has the support been from the fan base this season?
LC: As far as how the fans perceive this week, it’s hard to tell. I guess we will find out tonight when the Bulldogs host Creighton. The weather should be good so there’s no reason for the fans not to come out and support the Bulldogs against the (15) Bluejays and Doug McDermott.
WBR: What type of weaknesses could Creighton take advantage of that has hampered Drake during the season?
LC: Creighton beat Drake 76-59 ijn Omaha back on January 3rd. The Jays jumped out to an 11-0 lead and were never seriously challenged. McDermott is a load and they got supplemental play from center Gregory Echinique (four blocks) and guards Antoine Young and Grant Gibbs. They are one of the nation’s top offensive teams and hard to shut down. To beat them, Drake must match their offensive production.
WBR: What player has been a surprise for Drake this season and how could that player impact the game on Wednesday night against the Bluejays?
LC: Hard to say who the biggest surprise is this season. I felt all along that redshirt freshman Karl Madison would assume the point guard role and play well. He is struggling a little because he is on his first go-around in the Valley. But Madison is a player the Bulldogs will be able to depend upon for the next three-plus years, in my opinion.
WBR: A lot of Creighton fans make the trip to Des Moines each year since it is the shortest drive for them in conference play. Has there been a time where there were more Creighton fans in the Knapp Center than Drake fans?
LC: I can’t give you specific numbers but I would venture a guess that there would have been more Creighton fans than Drake fans at the Knapp Center when the Bulldogs weren’t winning, during the Kurt Kanaskie era and even early on in the Tom Davis era. But in recent years, the reverse has been true.
WBR: For those making the trip, where is the best place to stop before the game?
LC: Good places to stop for Creighton fans coming to Des Moines would be Jethro’s and Paul Revere Pizza. I love both.
WBR: What is your final prediction? What will the Bulldogs need to do to knock off the Bluejays?
LC: I’m picking the upset with Drake emerging victorious tonight. In order to accomplish that, the Bulldogs have to get off to a good start and be shooting well at the outset. Shooting at around of above 50-percent tonight will be key. Also, limit McDermott’s touches, hit the boards hard, hang on to the ball and get the loose balls. If all or most of those things come into play, Drake can pull off the upset.