The Drake Bulldogs (11-4, 2-2 MVC) play on the road Wednesday in Carbondale, Illinois and Banterra Arena against Missouri Valley Conference rival the Southern Illinois Salukis (11-4, 3-1 MVC). Drake was defeated by the Missouri State Bears 52-49 on Sunday snapping a three-game winning streak for the Bulldogs. Southern Illinois won its sixth straight when defeating the Belmont Bruins 63-45 on Sunday. The Salukis are tied for second in the MVC one game behind first-place Indiana. Drake does not have any players out injured, while Southern Illinois will play without Scottie Ebube.
Drake is allowing an average of only 64.0 points per game which is 66th in the nation. The Bulldogs are allowing a field goal shooting percentage of 40.2% which is 62nd and a 3-point shooting percentage of 29.3% which is 42nd. Drake is averaging 35.6 rebounds per game and allowing an average of 31.3 rebounds per contest. The leading rebounder for Drake is Darnell Brodie with an average of 7.6 boards per contest. Tucker DeVries is the leader in steals with an average of 1.2 per game, while Brodie is the swat leader with an average of 0.8 blocked shots per game. Drake is averaging 5.9 steals and 2.9 blocked shots per game.
Drake is scoring an average of 73.5 points per game, while shooting 45.6% overall and 34.0% from behind the three-point arc. The leading scorer for Drake is Tucker DeVries with an average of 18.7 points per game and the guard is shooting 47.1% overall and 38.5% from behind the line. Roman Penn is the second leading scorer with an average of 10.8 points per game. Penn is shooting 50.5% overall and 33.3% from long distance. Penn is the leader in assists with an average of 4.1 dishes per contest. Drake is averaging 13.3 assists and 11.0 turnovers per contest.