What's Up In The Missouri Valley: What's Up In The Missouri Valley 3/17/2023

Ben Sheppard declares for the NBA Draft--Belmont Vision
BREAKING: Three Belmont men’s basketball players enter transfer portal--Belmont Vision

How Belmont women's basketball lost to Ball State 101-86 in WNIT first-round shootout--The Tennessean
Wells' 35 Not Enough in WNIT Opening Round Loss at Ball State--belmontbruins.com

Crowl, Badgers oust Braves from NIT--Bradley Scout

March Madness continues: Ranking all 16 of Friday's first-round NCAA Tournament games--USA Today

No. 5 Miami (Fla.) vs. No. 12 Drake

Time/TV: 7:25 p.m., TBS

Even though its membership has changed over the years, the Missouri Valley Conference is always a threat to make noise in March. The Bulldogs could be a tough draw for the Hurricanes, who aren’t as physically imposing as some power conference squads and could be even thinner up front if Norchad Omier (ankle) is limited The driving force for Drake is Tucker DeVries, son of head coach Darian DeVries, putting up 19 points a game.

Watch out for these under-the-radar players in this year’s March Madness--Mid-Major Madness

Tucker DeVries, Drake

The Player of the Year in the Missouri Valley, DeVries reminds me an awful lot of another MVC legend... Doug McDermott. Playing for his father (just like McDermott), DeVries averages 19 points per game on the 29th most experienced team in college basketball. The kicker is that he is only a sophomore.

Miami vs. Drake odds, picks, TV channel: Expert predictions for NCAA Tournament first round game--The Athletic
Friday’s NCAA Tournament games: Matchups to watch, tip times and everything you need to know--The Athletic

No. 12 Drake vs. No. 5 Miami
There’s always a 12-5 upset in the NCAA Tournament, and this could be it. Drake is led by a father-son combo of coach Darian DeVries and sophomore guard Tucker DeVries, a deep threat who averages 19 points per game. They’ll face a tough test against Miami, the co-ACC champs, who have four players posting double-digit scoring each night.

Seth Davis’ NCAA Tournament picks--The Athletic

No. 5 Miami (-2 1/2) vs. No. 12 Drake, 7:25 p.m., TBS. The big question here is the status of Miami 6-7 sophomore forward Norchad Omier, who injured his ankle early in the Hurriances’ loss to Duke in the semifinals of the ACC tournament. Omier did some stretching and shooting on Wednesday, but he did not participate in Miami’s practice. It’s hard enough to beat a seasoned, quality team like Drake at full strength, but it will be a lot harder with Miami’s only serviceable big man dealing with a bad wheel. And make no mistake, Drake is a really good team. The Bulldogs finished a game behind Bradley in the Missouri Valley Conference standings, but they thumped the Braves by 26 points in the tourney final. Drake is one of the few teams ranked in the top 30 on KenPom in both experience and minutes continuity, which measures its roster carryover from last season. The one non-senior in the starting lineup is its best player and leading scorer, 6-7 sophomore Tucker DeVries, who averages 19.0 points on 38.7 percent 3-point shooting to go along with 5.6 rebounds. The pick: Drake

Miami Hurricanes vs. Drake Bulldogs Preview--State Of The U
March Madness 2023: Analyzing statistical trends for each first-round matchup--Heat Check CBB

Midwest Region

(5) Miami FL vs. (12) Drake

With a starting lineup averaging 23 years of age, Drake is one of the oldest teams in the field. It also features the MVC Player of the Year in sophomore Tucker DeVries. Miami picked up 11 Quad 1+2 wins during the regular-season but also lost two Quad 3+4 games. The 12-over-5 is always a popular upset pick, and this one might be particularly trendy — especially if Norchad Omier is out for the Hurricanes.

Can Miami’s talented guards guide another nice run as they did a season ago? That is the big key; Isaiah Wong is back and he has a new partner in Nijel Pack. The Hurricanes are 8-0 when those two combine for 34 or more points. Miami needs them to be on, especially if Omier is out.

In addition to slowing down Miami’s guards, Drake must protect the defensive glass. Miami ranks 71st nationally in offensive rebounding rate this season, and it is a huge part of their success; the Hurricanes are 24-2 when securing over 25 percent of their misses (1-5 in all other games). Drake hasn’t faced much high-major competition, but it does rank third nationally in defensive rebounding rate; it has held 22 teams below that 25 percent threshold.

NCAA Tournament: Ranking all 32 first-round games--Heat Check CBB

4) No. 5 Miami (FL) vs No. 12 Drake

Friday, 7:25 p.m. ET, TBS (Albany/Midwest Region): The battle between Miami’s offense and Drake’s defense is guaranteed to be a treat for all who watch. Drake forces everyone they play into tough shots, and Miami has some of the best tough-shot makers in the tournament. On the other end of the court, the uncertainty of Norchad Omier’s status could open the paint for Drake to attack relentlessly, opening up the perimeter for their shooters to shoot. This is the closest 12 vs. 5 game on KenPom for a reason, and a Drake win could blow this pod wide open.

Breaking down Drake men's basketball's NCAA Tournament first-round matchup against Miami--Des Moines Register
Comparing Drake men's basketball's 2008 and 2023 trips to the NCAA Tournament--Des Moines Register
Men's Basketball Preview: NCAA Tournament First & Second Rounds--godrakebulldogs.com

Women’s NCAA Tournament first-round picks--The Athletic

Saturday

No. 12 Drake vs. No. 5 Louisville (-4.5), 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2

More upset potential at the 12-5. Louisville and its defense aren’t the same as last year’s Final Four squad. The Cardinals required the bulk of the season to mesh. Even with Hailey Van Lith’s production (19.2 ppg), she can’t carry the Cardinals alone. Drake’s offense is quick and slick, with various players getting their hands on the ball and putting up points. Nebraska and South Dakota found out Drake’s a challenge this season, and the Bulldogs went toe-to-toe with Iowa, losing by six in overtime. Louisville has its own set of big wins against Texas and North Carolina. But if the Cardinals are going to make a run, they have to play heads-up defense. Expect a close one. The pick: Drake

NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament: First-round previews, schedules, TV info--Heat Check CBB

Seattle 4 Regional

(5) Louisville vs. (12) Drake

Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2 (Austin, Texas): This 5-12 game could have some fireworks as it’s a clash of two efficient offenses that don’t mind speeding things up. Louisville has the edge on defense, though, which should see them through to the second round. The Cardinals can count on Hailey Van Lith (19.2 ppg, 3.2 apg, 1.5 spg) to run the show on both ends along with Mykasa Robinson (4.2 apg, 2.0 spg). Drake is a calculating offense, leading the country in assisted FG rate (72.8 percent) but struggle with turnovers (17.5 per game, 280th in D1). The Cardinals’ defense forces almost exactly that many per game, so takeaways could ultimately be the difference in this one. But if Maggie Bair (16.9 ppg, 8.4 rpg), Katie Dinnebier (11.4 ppg, 5.7 apg) and the Bulldogs can hold onto the rock, they could turn this one into a barnburner.

Women's Basketball Preview: NCAA Tournament First & Second Rounds--godrakebulldogs.com