Seaon record: 2-2
Iowa at Drake (+2) - 5:00pm Pacific (Released at 3am Pacific time, now pick/-1)
Always love getting a small school getting points at home from a big name school. These are two teams heading in different directions. Drake is coming off one of its best seasons in years (14-15) and returns 4 starters + 1 part time starter while adding some notable newcomers to the mix as well. They were one of the hottest teams in the Missouri Valley Conference winning 4 straight to end the season, including impressive 2 point road win at conference champ Creighton, before getting ousted in conference tournament on a last second buzzer beater. This year they consider themselves a serious conference title contender.
The Bulldogs return conference leading scorer McDonald (17.5ppg), two other starters who averaged double digits, 12 game starter Lonnie Randolph (29 points in season opener) and add some touted freshman including guard Josh Robinson who they somehow won a recruiting battle with Memphis for.
Iowa meanwhile was a preseason national title contender last year before all hell broke loose and they did not even make the big dance, eventually losing in the first round of the NIT. Gone our six players from last year including stars Luke Recker & Reggie Evans. Two more starters, sophomore guard Pierre Pierce and junior center Sean Sonderleiter, are currently not with the team due to unrelated suspensions. This leaves the Hawkeyes with one returning starter, four returning reserves, a K-State transfer, and three freshman (two of whom are starting). Hawkeyes are picked only ahead of Penn State in the Big 10.
This is a perfect opportunity for Drake to avenge last years embarrassing 101-59 blowout loss at Iowa. The Hawkeyes only have 25% of points scored in last years meeting available to play tonight. Iowa went just 2-9 on the road last season including a loss at Northern Iowa. Drake meanwhile was 10-4 at home last season including a 14 point win over Iowa State. With almost everyone back they will improve on that home record this season. Take the points and expect an outright win.
Drake 1 UNIT
Good luck,
Edward
Iowa at Drake (+2) - 5:00pm Pacific (Released at 3am Pacific time, now pick/-1)
Always love getting a small school getting points at home from a big name school. These are two teams heading in different directions. Drake is coming off one of its best seasons in years (14-15) and returns 4 starters + 1 part time starter while adding some notable newcomers to the mix as well. They were one of the hottest teams in the Missouri Valley Conference winning 4 straight to end the season, including impressive 2 point road win at conference champ Creighton, before getting ousted in conference tournament on a last second buzzer beater. This year they consider themselves a serious conference title contender.
The Bulldogs return conference leading scorer McDonald (17.5ppg), two other starters who averaged double digits, 12 game starter Lonnie Randolph (29 points in season opener) and add some touted freshman including guard Josh Robinson who they somehow won a recruiting battle with Memphis for.
Iowa meanwhile was a preseason national title contender last year before all hell broke loose and they did not even make the big dance, eventually losing in the first round of the NIT. Gone our six players from last year including stars Luke Recker & Reggie Evans. Two more starters, sophomore guard Pierre Pierce and junior center Sean Sonderleiter, are currently not with the team due to unrelated suspensions. This leaves the Hawkeyes with one returning starter, four returning reserves, a K-State transfer, and three freshman (two of whom are starting). Hawkeyes are picked only ahead of Penn State in the Big 10.
This is a perfect opportunity for Drake to avenge last years embarrassing 101-59 blowout loss at Iowa. The Hawkeyes only have 25% of points scored in last years meeting available to play tonight. Iowa went just 2-9 on the road last season including a loss at Northern Iowa. Drake meanwhile was 10-4 at home last season including a 14 point win over Iowa State. With almost everyone back they will improve on that home record this season. Take the points and expect an outright win.
Drake 1 UNIT
Good luck,
Edward
