SFA (1-0) vs. Drake (1-0)
WHEN: 11/10 (SUN) 1:00P.M.
WHERE: Knapp Center (Des Moines, IA)
WATCH: ESPN+
For the second year in a row, the Lumberjacks will get to take on the formidable Drake Bulldogs. Last year, SFA absolutely steamrolled the Bulldogs in a blitz attack at the Cayman Islands Classic winning by 34 points. In that game, the Jacks shot a season high 63% from the field while holding the typically efficient Drake team to under 40%. After the game, the tides turned and SFA went on to a mediocre season while Drake finished in the top 50 in the country.
This year Drake is being helmed by a new coach, Ben McCollum, who is one of the most celebrated D2 coaches of all time. He led his Northwest Missouri State team to 4 national championships including 3 straight (2019-22). His first game saw an easy victory on over 50% shooting and only 6 turnovers.
Drake has the second longest home winning streak in D1 and they have 34 nonconference home wins in a row. This will be their third matchup with SFA. The Jacks have won the first two.
Despite the blowout win against the University of Dallas, the Jacks offense seemed stymied from half court sets last week. Can SFA find some offensive flow? Turnovers, 19 of them, also plagued the home squad. Ball security is going to be a must on the road.
These are two new teams this year, so don't expect a repeat performance. 4 of SFA's top 5 scorers from last year's matchup are gone. Nana, who hit 4 threes in that game, is essentially all the returning offense. This will be a tough ask for a new lineup, and it will come down to discipline.
Axe 'em!
WHEN: 11/10 (SUN) 1:00P.M.
WHERE: Knapp Center (Des Moines, IA)
WATCH: ESPN+
For the second year in a row, the Lumberjacks will get to take on the formidable Drake Bulldogs. Last year, SFA absolutely steamrolled the Bulldogs in a blitz attack at the Cayman Islands Classic winning by 34 points. In that game, the Jacks shot a season high 63% from the field while holding the typically efficient Drake team to under 40%. After the game, the tides turned and SFA went on to a mediocre season while Drake finished in the top 50 in the country.
This year Drake is being helmed by a new coach, Ben McCollum, who is one of the most celebrated D2 coaches of all time. He led his Northwest Missouri State team to 4 national championships including 3 straight (2019-22). His first game saw an easy victory on over 50% shooting and only 6 turnovers.
Drake has the second longest home winning streak in D1 and they have 34 nonconference home wins in a row. This will be their third matchup with SFA. The Jacks have won the first two.
Despite the blowout win against the University of Dallas, the Jacks offense seemed stymied from half court sets last week. Can SFA find some offensive flow? Turnovers, 19 of them, also plagued the home squad. Ball security is going to be a must on the road.
These are two new teams this year, so don't expect a repeat performance. 4 of SFA's top 5 scorers from last year's matchup are gone. Nana, who hit 4 threes in that game, is essentially all the returning offense. This will be a tough ask for a new lineup, and it will come down to discipline.
Axe 'em!
