Drake is now one game behind Southwest Missouri State in the MVC standings and has the same number of losses as second-place Wichita State. In the loss to Evansville, Drake committed 23 turnovers and struggled from the field, shooting 41.7 percent. Bluder said the game was not characteristic of the Bulldogs' season. Drake allowed Evansville to score 74 points, the most by any visiting team at the Knapp Center since Drake's 90-86 win over Iowa State on Dec. 8. Bluder said the team took a couple of days off from practice to recuperate from its loss to Evansville.
Drake now faces a daunting schedule to finish out the season.
Feb. 25 at Indiana State, Feb. 27 at Illinois State and March 4 at Northern Iowa. It's always tougher to play on the road. But, at the same time, there are fewer distractions. The March 2 game at home against Bradley will be the last home game of the season and the final game on the floor of the Knapp Center for five Drake seniors. At the same time, it will be inspiration for us.