Central College vs Drake prediction: Jalen Quinn and a veteran Drake backcourt open Year 2 against Central
Drake brings back most of last season's minutes, and the visit from Division III neighbor Central is a first look at how Eric Henderson's second roster fits together.
- Drake's returning guards open the season against a Central program we hold no Division I data for.
- Watch Jalen Quinn's shot volume next to newcomer Jon Carroll; how they share the ball shapes Drake's season.
- No spread or total has posted. Drake's 45.7% three-point attempt rate last season is the style number to watch.
The core comes back
Most college teams spend October introducing themselves. Drake mostly doesn't have to. Players on this season's roster account for 78.0% of last season's minutes, and the engine is still Jalen Quinn, who scored 19.7 points a game on a 31.7% usage rate last season.
The supporting guards return too. Eli Shetlar made 77 threes at a 39.5% clip, and Andrew Alia posted an offensive rating of 122.8 (points produced per 100 possessions used) without needing the ball. Owen Larson added 10.0 points a game but shot 28.6% from deep. Shetlar and Larson made the Missouri Valley's players-to-watch list on Oct. 21, along with Morehead State transfer Jon Carroll.
A team built on threes
Last season Drake took 45.7% of its shots from beyond the arc, 56th of 365 in Division I, and protected the ball well, ranking 57th in turnover rate. The losses are inside. Okku Federiko, the team's main shot-blocker at 1.0 per game, left for Northwestern. Against Central, expect perimeter volume. The open question is who replaces Federiko's size, with Wichita State transfer Dre Kindell and Denver's Gabe Oldham among the newcomers.
Year 2 for Henderson
Eric Henderson, hired from South Dakota State, went 14-20 in his first season but finished with a run at Arch Madness, upsetting No. 8 Southern Illinois and No. 1 Belmont before losing to UIC in the semifinals. Central is led by Conor Riordan, elevated to head coach in December 2025 after serving as interim.
The format is unsettled. Central's schedule calls it an exhibition, while ESPN lists a regular game. A 7:30 p.m. tip is listed but unconfirmed. Neither school has reported injuries.
Key players
- Jalen Quinn (Drake): Scored 19.7 points per game last season on a team-high 31.7% usage rate.
- Eli Shetlar (Drake): Hit 77 threes at 39.5% last season and was named to the MVC watch list.
- Andrew Alia (Drake): Posted a 122.8 offensive rating last season while shooting 38% from three.
- Owen Larson (Drake): Averaged 10.0 points last season but shot just 28.6% from deep.
Numbers that matter
| Returning minutes | 78.0% | Drake brings back most of last season's playing time, so last season's identity should largely carry over. |
|---|---|---|
| 3-point attempt rate (last season) | 45.7% | Drake ranked 56th nationally in share of shots taken from three. |
| Quinn's scoring (last season) | 19.7 | The returning star carries the offense at a 31.7% usage rate. |
| Turnover rate rank (last season) | 57th | A careful backcourt rarely gave away possessions. |
Central College vs Drake: quick answers
When is Central College vs Drake?
Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at 12:00 AM ET.