Eric Henderson and company will begin the Drake men’s basketball season in familiar territory.
The Bulldogs will open the season in South Dakota, playing in the Field of 68 Opening Day Marathon on Nov. 3, the event announced July 29. Drake will take on Northern Arizona in Sioux Falls. Henderson’s former team, South Dakota State, is also playing in the event.
The Marathon is a full day of basketball, with six total games spread across two venues. Three games will be played at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls and three more will take place at the Rock Hill Sports & Event Center in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
The Jackrabbits took part in the inaugural showcase last season when Henderson led that program. He now returns to the event – and to South Dakota – for his first game as the head coach of the Bulldogs.
“Last year was such a great event, it was run extremely well, the games were awesome, and the excitement around the whole event was huge,” Henderson said in a press release. “Coming back to South Dakota, it was just too good of an opportunity to pass up.”
Tickets for the Sioux Falls event go on sale Sept. 5, and games will be broadcast on the Field of 68’s YouTube channel, with game times to be released at a later date.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Drake men’s basketball to open 2025-26 season at Field of 68 Opening Day Marathon
Reporting by Alyssa Hertel, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
