The Drake Bulldogs will try to make it 19 in a row on Saturday when they visit Indiana State. The Bulldogs are 10-0 in the league race and have a three-game lead over second place Illinois State. Coach Keno Davis says there are numerous factors that have led the Bulldogs to a 19-1 record and two are the play of seniors Leonard Houston and Adam Emmenecker.
Many of the coaches in the league feel Emmenecker could by the league’s player of the year. DAvis says it’s hard to believe a player can step up like he has in his senior year after only averaging 4 or 5 points in high school. Davis says it shows Emmenecker’s dedication and drive.
Indiana State coach Kevin McKenna says the Bulldogs have a number of weapons but it is Emmenecker who makes them go. He says "the guy is unbelievable in terms of what he has done for their team."
Indiana State is 5-5 in the Valley.
The UNI Panthers are at home in the Valley to take on Southern Illinois. The Panthers are 5-5 in the league race and 13-8 overall after downing second place Illinois State on Wednesday night. Southern is 6-4 in the Valley but just 11-10 overall. UNI coach Ben Jacobsen says his team has been playing better the last couple of weeks.
The Iowa State Cyclones will try to post their first road victory in Big-12 play when they visit Nebraska. The Cyclones are 3-3 in the league race and may be without the services of sophomore Wesley Johnson who reinjured a foot in Wednesday’s win over Colorado. The same injury kept him out of the first four games of the season.
Iowa coach Greg McDermott who says a road victory would provide a big confidence boost for the Cyclones.
Nebraska is 1-4 in the Big-12 after winning at Missouri.