Drake is spread thin but keeping its chin up during play in the CollegeInsider.com basketball tournament.
The Bulldogs (18-15), fresh off a victory over North Dakota in the first round, visit Rice for a 8 p.m. game Saturday with only eight scholarship athletes available, but a ?Who?s on First?? sort of nonchalance.
The lack of depth is most pronounced in the post, where Jordan Clarke starts with little in reserve, especially if Kraidon Woods? hamstring injury keeps him out of another game.
Against North Dakota, walk-on Cory Parker and 6-foot-8 wing player Ben Simons each saw some minutes at center.
?Ben was our third-string center, he?s also our third-string point guard,? Drake coach Mark Phelps said, launching into a bit of a comedy routine. ?He?s our starting 2 guard, he?s our second-string 3 man and our third-string 4 man. And he?s assistant coach, too.?
Rim shot.
But seriously folks, Drake seems to be having fun with this March ride, which already has included the program?s first postseason victory in 37 years.
?It?s an honor. We just want to keep it going as long as we can. We want to keep playing hard,? Clarke said. ?Hopefully, we get another home game, get these fans back out here because we appreciate it.?
Against the Sioux, Drake got key contributions in the final minutes from Clarke (14 rebounds), Simons (24 points) and guard Rayvonte Rice (19 points). A similar effort will likely be needed against the Owls (18-15).
?Ben and Rayvonte were who they were supposed to be at crunch time. Those guys made big plays,? Phelps said.
?We mixed in a drive by Kurt (Alexander), some free throws by Jordan and Ben.?
Just enough to win.
The Bulldogs (18-15), fresh off a victory over North Dakota in the first round, visit Rice for a 8 p.m. game Saturday with only eight scholarship athletes available, but a ?Who?s on First?? sort of nonchalance.
The lack of depth is most pronounced in the post, where Jordan Clarke starts with little in reserve, especially if Kraidon Woods? hamstring injury keeps him out of another game.
Against North Dakota, walk-on Cory Parker and 6-foot-8 wing player Ben Simons each saw some minutes at center.
?Ben was our third-string center, he?s also our third-string point guard,? Drake coach Mark Phelps said, launching into a bit of a comedy routine. ?He?s our starting 2 guard, he?s our second-string 3 man and our third-string 4 man. And he?s assistant coach, too.?
Rim shot.
But seriously folks, Drake seems to be having fun with this March ride, which already has included the program?s first postseason victory in 37 years.
?It?s an honor. We just want to keep it going as long as we can. We want to keep playing hard,? Clarke said. ?Hopefully, we get another home game, get these fans back out here because we appreciate it.?
Against the Sioux, Drake got key contributions in the final minutes from Clarke (14 rebounds), Simons (24 points) and guard Rayvonte Rice (19 points). A similar effort will likely be needed against the Owls (18-15).
?Ben and Rayvonte were who they were supposed to be at crunch time. Those guys made big plays,? Phelps said.
?We mixed in a drive by Kurt (Alexander), some free throws by Jordan and Ben.?
Just enough to win.
