The Drake basketball team found out how difficult life on the road will be in the Missouri Valley Conference and that’s why tomorrow night’s game at home against Southern Illinois is so important. The Bulldogs started the season 9-2 before opening the Valley race with losses at Evansville and Indiana State.
Drake coach Tom Davis says building a homecourt advantage is crucial the teams in the top half of the conference develop the crowd support. He says that advantage helps you stay on the top of the conference and it’s important for his team to be a better team at home.
Southern Illinois is 11-2 overall, 2-0 in the conference race and the Salukis feature a smothering halfcourt defense. Davis says they take their time offensively, so you don’t get as many possessions and it will be a lower scoring game.
Davis says the Salukis control the tempo with patience on offense. Davis says that helps Southern’s defense as they don’t have to defend as many possessions.
Randall Falker has been a force inside for the Salukis but Davis says it is a balanced team. Davis says they have many guys who can spot up and hit a shot, so you can’t focus on any one player.