Drake needs a victory and the next chance is Saturday when the Bulldogs host Illinois State. After a 9-2 start to the season the Bulldogs have slumped to an 0-5 mark in Missouri Valley Conference play but they are not the only team struggling in a league that may be tougher than it has ever been. Wichita State was ranked in the top ten a month ago but the Shockers are only 1-4 in the Valley.
Drake coach Tom Davis says it’s hard to keep your confidence up if you lose a string of games. He says you need some wins to get back on track, but Davis says the league makes it tough to do that. Illinois State got a confidence boost this week when the Redbirds handed UNI its first Valley loss. It was the first league win for Illinois State.
Davis says the Redbirds are playing really, really well and are showing that they’re no pushover. Davis says there are a couple of areas his team must improve in, shoot a better percentage, and cut down the opponent’s percentage. Davis says you have to show the positives to the players, but also the negatives so they know how to improve. Drake is 9-7 overall.