Drake and Bradley Showdown – Guard Play
These backcourts are dynamic. Drake’s Bennett Stirtz has been the talk of the Missouri Valley. The 6’4 junior transferred from Division 2 Northwest Missouri State and leads the league in scoring (18.3 ppg), assists (6.1), steals (2.5) and minutes played (38.02).
His backcourt mate, Mitch Mascari (11.5 ppg) made the same move from Northwest Missouri with first year coach Ben McCollum. He leads the Valley, making 3.14 triples per game and is successful nearly 47 percent of the time from deep.
Bradley’s backcourt may be even better. Preseason player of the year, Duke Deen (15.1 ppg) and returning transfer Zek Montgomery (13.9 ppg) are each making better than 40 percent of their long distance attempts.
There is very little drop off when Demarion Burch (6.8 ppg) and freshman Jaquan Johnson (4.5) enter the game. Bradley goes legitimately two-deep at the guard spot.