They are two of the most highly ranked college basketball teams that don’t reside in a major conference and they collide tomorrow in Indianapolis as 16th rated Drake visits number eight Butler as part of the BracketBusters. Both teams have already clinched league titles.
Drake already wrapped up the Missouri Valley crown but is coming off its first home loss of the season to Bradley. Butler wrapped up a share of the Horizon League championship on Wednesday night with a five point win at Illinois-Chicago.
Drake coach Keno Davis says they are very talented and experienced with seniors throughout the starting lineup and they know how to play in the big games. His team on the other hand is coming through a rebuilding process and he says they’ll have to play their best to have a chance for victory.
This game should have an impact on what seeds these teams get in the NCAA Tournament but Davis says their focus right now is on getting ready for the Valley post season tournament. Davis says he’s not concerned about that, he’d just like his team to go in and play as hard as they have most of the season and they’ll have a chance. Davis says winning their conference tournament is the top priority, as that’s the team that gets the automatic NCAA tournament bid.
Davis says his team is looking forward to playing in Hinkle Fieldhouse, the place where the movie "Hoosiers" was filmed. Drake is 23-3 on the season while butler is 25-2.