Omaha, Nebraska – The Drake University men’s basketball team will make the two-hour drive to Omaha for an 8 p.m. tip-off on Wednesday (Dec. 9) from Baxter Arena.
After opening the Missouri Valley Conference season with a 73-66 victory over Valparaiso on Thursday, Drake began a stretch of playing seven straight non- conference games by defeating St. Thomas 74-64 on Sunday.
Freshman swingman Tucker DeVries responded to his first collegiate start with a career-best performance in helping Drake top St. Thomas.
DeVries, the son of head coach Darian DeVries, scored 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds in 34 minutes — all highs in his young career. He scored the first two points of the game for Drake. Late in the second half with Drake clinging to a 54-49 lead DeVries scored the Bulldogs’ next nine points in a 3:02 span.
Drake is ranked No. 9 in the latest men’s basketball CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 poll.
The Omaha Mavericks (Summit League) enter Wednesday’s contest 1-7 overall currently on a seven-game losing streak after winning the season opener against Hastings.
Drake owns a 9-1 record in the series against Omaha, earning an 87-66 victory in the Knapp Center on Dec. 3, 2020 behind 19 points from D.J.Wilkins which included four three-point baskets. Drake guard Roman Penn enjoyed a double-double with 10 points and 10 assists.
The Bulldogs own a 1-1 record against the Mavs in games played in Omaha, dropping a 75-73 decision in its last visit Nov. 19, 2017. Drake went 8 minutes 35 seconds without scoring a basket mid- way through the second half enabling host Omaha to rally from a seven-point deficit.
The Bulldogs head to Atlanta for their Holiday Hoopsgiving matchup against Clemson at State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Saturday (Dec. 11) at 1 p.m. (CT).
