The Bulldogs have been one of the biggest surprises of this college basketball season. How'd they do it? By hiring a Division II coach and bringing on a slew of his players to face the big boys of D-I.

Bennett Stirtz won the Missouri Valley Conference's Larry Bird Trophy, marking 3 straight years of a Drake men's basketball player winning the award.

Valparaiso, Indiana; Thursday, 7 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Drake plays Valparaiso after Katie Dinnebier scored 36 points in Drake's 80-79 victory over the Northern Iowa Panthers. The Beacons have gone 7-5 at home.

Drake coach Ben McCollum just wins. Google him. He could be a smart fit for Indiana men's basketball job, especially if the 'big fish' aren't biting.

Valparaiso, Indiana; Thursday, 7 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Drake visits Valparaiso after Katie Dinnebier scored 36 points in Drake's 80-79 victory against the Northern Iowa Panthers. The Beacons are 7-5 in home games.

Coach Ben McCollum and four Northwest Missouri State players have led the Bulldogs to the top of the Missouri Valley Conference at 26–3 with an at-large NCAA tournament bid looming.

Between his on-court contributions to his larger-than-life personality, there is a lot for Drake basketball fans to like about Daniel Abreu.

The Drake women's basketball team's hopes for a Missouri Valley Conference regular-season title took a hit Saturday.