NCAA Basketball: Preseason top-25 mid-major power rankings for 2021-22 season
9. Drake Bulldogs
The team’s surprising team turned inspiring towards the end of the regular season, as the Bulldogs had to overcome multiple key injuries to hold on and get an at-large bid for the NCAA Tournament. And with almost the entire roster back after winning 26 games, there’s a good chance that they can go back.
The major caveat though is that the team’s second-leading scorer is gone in Joseph Yesufu, the MVC 6th Man of the Year and elite combo guard who went to Kansas this offseason. However, Drake was able to replace him with Ayo Akinwole, a 6’0 combo guard that spent four years at Omaha, two as a starter. Last season was the only time he averaged double figures but Akinwole is a very efficient shooter and adds a veteran ball-handler in the rotation.
Related Story. Preseason MVC power rankings for 2021-22. light
He’ll be the backup to senior starting point guard Roman Penn, who has led the Missouri Valley in assists each of the past two seasons. Double-digit scoring guard DJ Wilkins is also back, along with veterans Garrett Sturtz and Jonah Jackson in the backcourt.
The frontcourt is in strong shape as well, led by leading scorer ShanQuan Hemphill (13.2 ppg) and leading rebounder and 6’10 big Darnell Brodie (7.3 rpg). 6’6 forward Tremell Murphy is another returning double-digit contributor, with both Issa Samake and Nate Ferguson providing depth off the bench.
Even if Akinwole doesn’t provide a similar impact as Yesufu did, Drake has plenty of talent on its roster to make another run in the Missouri Valley. Yet the conference is better compared to a year ago so the Bulldogs will have to be even better themselves to go dancing again.