This Youtube channel picks Drake as the #100 team in the country

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF3DUT-iCqI

Interesting fresh perspective of the NWMS transfers, not the most analytical of reviews but I think this team will surprise us all and end up top 75 ish. We are going to be really good inside and I think Combs starts at point guard over Jackson from what I have seen and heard. I think this team will surprise us all, especially the NWMS transfers and cannot wait till the season starts!

Wood Dog88-- Have you seen much of their practices? Who do you foresee (tho this is pretty early) as a starting 5 or top 7 or 8?

I have been to two open practices and this team is very connected already. I think Combs will start with Jackson backing up and are in great shape at the point. Combs is a elite passer and can really shoot it and will surprise many this Year. Bennett Stirtz at the 2 guard and with his shooting coming around can really take it to the hole and will be a go to guy. Mitch Mascari is backing up the 2 and 3 positions and is a zone killer with his outside shooting and all the hype is no joke. Eli Shetlar is the starting wing and is another elite shooter and at 6 ft 7 has a very quick release and can take it to the hole. Eli can shoot while moving at a very high percentage and will really impress us all. Tavion Banks is a explosive athlete and will start at the 4 and is just now coming into his own. Since he had his vision corrected and is wearing contacts, is now a very good 3 point shooter and is going to be a beast inside and jumps like Leonard Houston. I saw him on a put back slam that was jaw dropping and is a beast on the boards, this will be a very talented team inside and Abreau will back him up who is very solid at the 4. Cam Manyawu I see as leading the league in rebounding this year and 15 points or more a game scoring wise. He was one of the best freshman in the country last year and will be the best player in this league by his junior year. Cam pretty much destroyed Nate in practices that I was at and Nate is a solid defender which says a lot. With all the roster changes in the league this year and the great chemistry this team has already I think this team can win the Valley. Most publications have them picked second or third and I see this team as more talented and deeper across the board than last years team with much more length. I am greatly encouraged about this team and could be one of the better shooting teams in the country. Hope this helps driftlessmode. 

I've seen them practice once, and I'm far less impressed by Manyawu, Banks and Combs than you are, at least offensively.  I think this will be a very good defensive team.

Also want to say that it's very hard to truly form an opinion after having just seen them once.  I could have just seen them on an off day.

Any thoughts on Eli Dub?

Good shooter.  Can get his shot off quick.  Still a little on the skinny side.  Sneaky athletic.

I've heard some promising things about Isaia Howard, wonder what those who have been to practice would say.

He's the real deal.  Doesn't look like a freshman and very aggressive offensively.  Coach will have a hard time keeping him off the court.

Moving forward.....

Excellent assessment of the team, Mr. Wood Dog88 (albeit from a Drake fan) Thank you, and I know many others on this forum appreciate it.

.... I would add that any others who have been to practices, please feel free to give your take on the team and individual players.

I don't know if this is behind a paywall, but here's a Des Moines Register article on Drake basketball

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/drake/drake-bulldogs/2024/08/01/drake-basketball-4-takeaways-from-coach-ben-mccollum-nate-ferguson-media-interviews-bulldogs/74587330007/

Not sure there's anything there that the average fan didn't already know.

Is there a full video of Coach Mac's presser?

That Register story may have been from an interview between only the reporter and Mac and Nate Ferguson. 

Another McCollum interview

https://soundcloud.com/mvcsports/ben-mccollum-drake?utm_source=clipboard&utm_campaign=wtshare&utm_medium=widget&utm_content=https%253A%252F%252Fsoundcloud.com%252Fmvcsports%252Fben-mccollum-drake

One guess where McCollum was vacationing

I’m guessing a fishing rod was involved

Stop it. He'll fish in MN when he recruits player up there.

Where'd you want him to go? Saylorville Lake?

I'm missing something. Why do we care where he vacations? 

Drakey