Busting Brackets
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Drake Basketball: Bulldogs destined for 2023 Missouri Valley crown

By Shea Irish

Beau, of Urbandale, is crowded the 40th Beautiful Bulldog during Drake University's annual contest marking the start of Drake Relays week on Monday, April 22, 2019, at the Knapp Center on the Drake campus in Des Moines. The bulldog is owned by T.J. and Angela McKenzie.0422 Beautifulbulldog 002 Cr2
Beau, of Urbandale, is crowded the 40th Beautiful Bulldog during Drake University's annual contest marking the start of Drake Relays week on Monday, April 22, 2019, at the Knapp Center on the Drake campus in Des Moines. The bulldog is owned by T.J. and Angela McKenzie.0422 Beautifulbulldog 002 Cr2 /
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Roman Penn Drake Bulldogs (Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images)
Roman Penn Drake Bulldogs (Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images) /

Potential Starting 5:

G Roman Penn 6’0″ Fifth Year Senior- 11.1 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.9 APG, 83.1 FT%

-Penn is a very savvy point guard and the leader of the team. As Penn goes, so does the beat of the Drake Bulldogs. He is the all-time leader in assists for the program and has been an All-MVC player each of the last three seasons.

G D.J. Wilkins 6’2″ Fifth Year Senior- 10.3 PPG, 87.5 FT%, 60 3-PT (39.0%)

-Wilkins is a “three and D” type of player, finishing 2nd on the team last year in 3-pointers made and 3-point percentage, while also being named to the MVC All-Defensive team. He heads into 2022-23 already in the top 5 in school history for games played and 3-pointers made.

G/F Garrett Sturtz 6’3″ Fifth Year Senior- 11.0 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 58.6 FG%

-Sturtz is the heart and soul of the Drake basketball program. He is often outmanned in terms of size, spending much of his time in the paint as a 6’3″ guy that plays more like a forward than a guard. He makes up for his lack of size by playing with more energy and passion than any other player in the MVC. He was a 2nd Team all-conference player last season.

F Tucker DeVries 6’7″ Sophomore- 13.9 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.1 APG, 75 3-pointers

-DeVries is arguably the best scorer in all of the MVC headed into just his sophomore season. He has unlimited range and an ultimate green light at all times. Similar to the situation of Doug McDermott, who played for his dad at Creighton, DeVries has the potential to be one of the most storied players in MVC history when all is said and done. Building on his 2022 MVC Freshman the Year status, I wouldn’t be surprised if he averages 20.0+ PPG and wins the MVC Player of the Year in 2022-23.

F Darnell Brodie 6’10” Senior- 5.8 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 49.2 FG%

-Brodie provides size and strength in the Bulldogs’ frontcourt. He is a former Seton Hall transfer and has great touch and footwork for a player of his size. His numbers dipped a bit from 2020-21 (7.7 PPG, 7.3 RPG) when he was an MVC All-Newcomer selection, but he should bounce back nicely in his final season with Drake.