7:30 PM on ESPN

Winner gets to claim Liam Robbbins’s NBA stats

The Bulldogs have already made a big splash in this tournament but a win over the Commodores would be icing on the cake.

With such a short bench right now, nice to be in a ESPN-owned event that takes Saturday off for college football coverage.

The former Bearcats are used to playing almost the entire game unless they’re in foul trouble or it’s a blowout. They’ve also played in several 8 team tournaments over the years so conditioning shouldn’t be an issue while fouls could be. Ben plays a tight in your face ‘what flavor of gum is he chewing?’ type defense so hopefully the refs tomorrow will appreciate their brand of defensive hustle

Ben has almost always used a short bench. Last season he had 4 guys that averaged at least 32 minutes. Abreau was at 27. It may change at this level and what he is able to recruit, but at NW, he would play his top 6 or 7 and not much else unless foul trouble came into play.

He was a master at maintaining the program at NW… incoming freshman could expect to redshirt and it allowed for progression through the ranks and development. With NIL and recruiting at the Division 1 level, it’ll be interesting to see if he’s able to do that at Drake.

I was curious to hear what the NWMSU folks thoughts were on the short bench. Coming from an era of drake basketball where it seemed every year there was an injury that burned us… seeing those 40s in the minutes column made me nervous, just instinctually

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What do we know about Vandy?

They are a heavy volume 3pt

They are a heavy volume 3pt team. Their closest game, which was against Nevada, they only attempted 15. However, they seem to be shooting on average 20-30 per game, even as high as 38 against Jackson State. We haven’t played 3pt based offense this year, so I’m interested to see how our defense translates

Vandy is close to a mirror-image of Drake. Lost their coach and all their starters from last year so most of the roster is transfers. Vandy's front line is a lot like ours: 6'8/6'7 guys who are athletic. For the first time this season, Stirtz will face a point guard who plays at his level. AJ Hoggard is a Michigan State transfer who was 5th in the big ten in Assist/TO ratio. He can score as well. This should be a great game.

Vandy favored by 3.5. 

Bulldogs have played very well as underdogs this whole tournament.

Agree, they are mirror-images physically. However, so far, average possession length is a big difference.  Drake 361 and Vandy 18.   Vandy has shot a number of threes in some games, but not in others.  Plus, not really a great percentage.  They don't have more height than Drake, but have shot the ball well from two (in some games).  

For me, Drake has to do what they do best.  Dogs have to control tempo.  You're spot on about Hoggard, but Jackson must contain Edwards and the speed of the game, especially on the defensive end.  Contest Nickel from three.  And the usual, keep turnovers to a minimum, make free throws.  By the way, Vandy commits about 14 fouls a game.  Huffman, Nickel and Edwards 80%+ from the ft line, the rest, below 70%.

The best two TEAMS, this week, are playing in the championship.  Incredibly, they have 10 new players, with no starter over 6'8, and two new head coaches who know the game.  Commandoes Head Coach, Mark Byington, spent nine years at as Asst Coach at College of Charleston before turning around programs s Head Coach at Georgia Southern and James Madison. The only thing I know for sure is Drake basketball is a blast to watch... from the tip to the final buzzer.  Thanks Marty, Brian and those who have $upported the program.  

GO DOGS!!!!

I believe AJ Hoggard was the best player for any team, coming into the tournament, will he interesting how we deal with him today.

A gap defense usual struggles more against an offense who takes and makes a higher % of 3s. Will be interesting to see how we handle that too. Going to have to stay out on shooters

Vandy   117
Drake      6

Holy turnovers. Gonna need to clean that up in the last 3 minutes of the first and going forward. Cam and our half-court defense are keeping us in this game.

--- Forever True Blue

Vandy looks really good. That Drake is up 3 at the half playing like they did… I’ll take it.

Drake had way too many turnovers in first half, but still have a 3 point lead at halftime.

Clean up some of the mistakes, and bring this one home.

Time to finish strong and bring home the ship these last 3:00