Valparaiso Beacons vs. Drake Bulldogs: MVC Showdown Preview

Valparaiso Beacons vs. Drake Bulldogs: MVC Showdown Preview

Valparaiso Beacons (12-12, 6-7 MVC) will face off against the Drake Bulldogs (12-13, 6-8 MVC) in Des Moines, Iowa on Monday at 7:30 p.m. EST. Drake is on a three-game losing streak and holds a 6-7 record in home games. They are third in the MVC in scoring, averaging 77.6 points per game while shooting 45.0% from the field. Valparaiso has a 6-7 record against MVC opponents and is 5-4 in games decided by 10 or more points. The Bulldogs score 7.6 more points per game than the Beacons, with Valparaiso allowing 70.0 points per game. Valparaiso's shooting percentage of 41.4% is slightly lower than the 43.7% that Drake's opponents have shot against them.

Okku Federiko leads the Bulldogs with an average of 10.3 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, while Eli Shetlar has been successful from beyond the arc, averaging 2.7 made 3-pointers in the last 10 games. Owen Dease is a sharpshooter for the Beacons, shooting 41.1% from 3-point range and averaging 14.4 points per game. JT Pettigrew contributes 11.3 points and 6.6 rebounds in the last 10 games.

In their last 10 games, the Bulldogs have a 4-6 record, averaging 78.3 points, 32.7 rebounds, 13.2 assists, 5.4 steals, and 2.8 blocks per game. They shoot 43.2% from the field but allow their opponents to score an average of 82.4 points per game. The Beacons have a 6-4 record in their last 10 games, averaging 70.7 points, 30.5 rebounds, 10.3 assists, 6.4 steals, and 3.1 blocks per game. They shoot 43.4% from the field and allow an average of 69.2 points per game.

The Bulldogs and Beacons will meet for the first time in conference play this season. It will be an exciting matchup between two teams looking to secure a victory in the MVC.