Stirtz carried the Bulldogs in the first half Thursday, scoring 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting with some dazzling drives to the rim, introducing himself to the nation in the Big Dance. The announcers on the TruTV telecast spent much of the first half praising his game.

Drake basketball: Bulldogs hold on after blowing big lead and beat Missouri 67-57 in March Madness opener Some of America’s wealthiest have donated millions of dollars to the U.S. schools with the top-ranked basketball programs.