You don't have to buy Drake merchandise, or openly root for the Bulldogs, but how can anyone not respect this team? It's unbelievable.

I thought the streak would come to an end at Illinois State. At halftime, I felt smart. By game's end, I was glad to be wrong. These guys won't quit. Down 11? No problem. Just keep hustling until the shots start falling.

Anyone who doesn't appreciate just how hard it is to win 20 straight---regardless of the conference strength---doesn't follow college basketball. 20 in a row is staggering for an overly talented team. For a squad that starts two former walk-ons, it's beyond comprehension. During this great run, Drake could have lost to any team it played.

Several of the people in our newsroom who don't follow sports have taken an interest in Drake because the Bulldogs humility and positive spirit is contagious. They're not cocky, they're having fun.

The Dogs all but locked up a conference championship with the sweep of Illinois State. Drake leads by four with six games to go.

By the way, great job Tuesday night by Andy Fales, Shawn Terrell, photojournalist Trent Reicks, and engineer Mark Hoffman. They drove through a snowstorm to bring our viewers terrific coverage of a big game not on TV. Wake up Missouri Valley! This is 2008.

It's nice to have such a positive story to cover.

We love it. And Iowa State should too. Maybe no one will notice how Hilton Magic seems to have left the building.