Drake will play Miami Friday in Albany, New York in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs are the 12th seed in the Midwest Region. Drake is making its sixth trip to the NCAA Tournament after winning the Missouri Valley tournament crown.

That’s Drake coach Darian DeVries. Two years ago when the Bulldogs earned an at-large bid the tournament was played in a bubble in and around Indianapolis during the pandemic.

The Bulldogs are 27-7 and have won 13 of their last 14 games.

The last time Drake made the tournament they had to sweat it out to see if they would get an at-large bid.

That’s Drake forward Garrett Sturtz. The Newton native is part of a senior class that has been a key part in the turnaround of the program.

After playing in the tournament during the pandemic Sturtz says this will be a much different experience.