Drake’s players got Sunday off to recover from their three-overtime win against Wichita State Saturday, but after two days of practice, they’re back at it tonight on the road at Indiana State.
Coach Mark Phelps feels the win over the Shockers was part of the team’s growth. “I sense a maturity and a greater discipline from our team, and a steady hunger. They are certainly excited about the win, but feel is we play the right way, we can win more games,” Phelps says.
He says the understanding of how they need to play should help them avoid a letdown after the big win. “I’ve said this all along, we have enough that if we play the right way with great energy and we defend to our best ability, we can beat anybody. At the same time, we’re not talented that if we don’t play that way we can lose any game we play,” Phelps explains. “So I think they have that mindset.”
He says getting a win at Indiana State will require their best effort as they are the defending tournament champions and it is a challenge to go on the road. “It’s gonna be a battle, and we have to play with great energy and we have to defend, and it’s just gonna be I’m sure, a hard fought and intense game from both teams,” Phelps says.
Drake is 13-9 overall and tied for third at 6-5 in the Missouri Valley Conference. Indiana State is 13-9 and 4-7 in the conference. Game time is 7 p.m.