Drake Bulldogs men's basketball
Drake Bulldogs | |||
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University | Drake University | ||
Head coach | Ben McCollum (1st season) | ||
Conference | Missouri Valley | ||
Location | Des Moines, Iowa | ||
Arena | Knapp Center (Capacity: 6,424) | ||
Nickname | Bulldogs | ||
Colors | Blue and white[1] | ||
Uniforms | |||
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NCAA tournament Final Four | |||
1969 | |||
NCAA tournament Elite Eight | |||
1969, 1970, 1971 | |||
NCAA tournament Sweet Sixteen | |||
1969, 1970, 1971 | |||
NCAA tournament appearances | |||
1969, 1970, 1971, 2008, 2021, 2023, 2024 | |||
Conference tournament champions | |||
2008, 2023, 2024 | |||
Conference regular season champions | |||
1935, 1936, 1939, 1964, 1969, 1970, 1971, 2008, 2019 |
The Drake Bulldogs men's basketball team represents
History
The early years (1906–1959)
The first season Drake fielded a men's basketball team was 1906–07. The Bulldogs finished with a 2–1 record as an independent. The next year, during the 1907–08 season, they were charter members of the Missouri Valley Conference.
Drake went on to dominate the 1930s, winning three conference titles in the decade (1934–35, 1935–36, and 1938–39). The Bulldogs did not qualify for a postseason tournament by winning the conference title, though, as no post-season tournaments were held during the 1934–35 season. The following 1935–36 season Drake was invited to the District Olympic Tournament post-season tournament (defeating
Throughout the 1940s and 1950s Drake's winning streak secured eight winning seasons. There was no
1960–1986
During the 1960s through mid-1980s, the Bulldogs were in the national rankings on a regular basis and the MVC was one of the premier conferences in men's basketball. Drake had fourteen winning seasons during this time.
Maury John era
Coach
Under Coach John, Drake shared the 1963–64 Missouri Valley Conference title with Louisville and received an invitation to the 1964 National Invitation Tournament (NIT). In the NIT, Drake defeated Pittsburgh 87–82 in the first round and lost to tournament runner-up New Mexico 65–60 in the second round.
The
In the 1969 NCAA Final Four, on March 20, 1969 in the National Semi-Final, Drake lost to UCLA with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Coach John Wooden 85–82. Drake, with 24 points from Willie McCarter, 13 points with 16 rebounds from Willie Wise, and defense from Rick Wanamaker and Dolph Pulliam, almost pulled off a historic upset. UCLA led 83–74 with one minute and 12 seconds remaining before Drake scored eight straight points to make the score 83–82 with just seconds remaining. (UCLA would go on to defeat Purdue (92–72) in the NCAA Championship game, their fourth of seven consecutive NCAA Championships.[7][8][9][10][11]
The Los Angeles Times described the closing moments of the UCLA game: "Late in the game, UCLA led by three, but Drake had the ball and the momentum. Guard Willie McCarter put up a jumper from the left corner that ricocheted around the rim before falling into the hands of Drake forward Dolph Pulliam, who went straight back up with it. On the way up, Pulliam was hammered by Alcindor and Curtis Rowe, but the ball somehow made it through the hoop. The basket counted, but no foul was called against the Bruins. Eight seconds remained, and Drake trailed by one. UCLA escaped the Bulldogs' full-court press and got a pass through to Lynn Shackelford. In desperation, Drake's Ron Gwin fouled him. Shackelford made both of his one-and-one attempts."[8]
After the game, Coach John Wooden was asked what had been wrong with UCLA. Wooden replied simply,"Drake."[12]
In the 1969 NCAA 3rd-place game, the Bulldogs defeated Coach Dean Smith's ACC Champion North Carolina Tar Heels, with Charlie Scott convincingly, 104–84, behind 28 points from Willie McCarter. Drake finished the season 26–5.[7]
Drake continued their success under Coach John in the next two seasons as they advanced to the Elite Eight of both the 1970 NCAA tournament and the 1971 NCAA tournament. Drake finished 22–7 in 1969–1970 and 21–8 in 1970–1971.[13][14]
In the 1969–70 season once again captured the Missouri Valley Conference title and made their second straight NCAA tournament. Earning a bye in the first round, Drake defeated Houston, with Coach Guy Lewis and Dwight Davis, 92–87. Drake lost to New Mexico State 87–78 in the 1971 Midwest Regional Final.[15]
In 1970–71, the Bulldogs earned their third straight Missouri Valley Conference championship. They made their third straight NCAA trip, qualifying for the 1971 NCAA tournament. There, Drake (21–8) defeated Notre Dame University with Austin Carr 79–72 in OT, then lost to Kansas 73–71 in the Midwest Regional Final.[15]
In 1971, after 13 seasons and a Drake record 211 wins, Coach John left Drake for Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. John's tenure at ISU was short, as he died of cancer on October 15, 1974 at the age of 55.[16][17]
Bob Ortegel era
Drake won their first national tournament title during the 1974–75 season, capturing the
The Bulldogs also advanced to the
1987–2006
From 1987 to 2006, Drake did not have a winning season in men's basketball; the stretch included a 2–26 season in 1996–97 and a 3–24 season in 1997–98. The Bulldogs went through four coaches, none of whom finished with a winning coaching record at Drake.
In the 2001–02 season Drake suspended four players at winter semester break due to their not abiding by the school's 2.0 GPA rule (NCAA requires 1.8), but despite having a depleted roster, the Bulldogs nearly eked out a winning season. Drake entered the MVC tournament with a 14–14 record; but fell to Illinois State 63–64 on a buzzer beating shot, ending the season 14–15.
The next season (2002–03) Drake would finish 10–20, leading to the dismissal of head coach Kurt Kanaskie at season's end.
Tom Davis era
On April 22, 2003, Drake announced the hiring of former Iowa head coach Dr.
During the 2003–04 season, Davis began a massive rebuilding project of Bulldog basketball. After going 37–51 in his first three seasons, the team finished 17–15 in the 2006–2007 season for its first winning record in 21 years. Following the season, Davis resigned and was succeeded by his son Keno Davis.
2007–2008 season
Under the guidance of Keno Davis, the 2007–08 season was one of the most storied in Drake history. The Bulldogs won the
2008–2017
After the successful 2007–08 season, Keno Davis accepted the head basketball coach position at
On March 26, 2017, Drake University President "Marty" Martin named former Furman University head coach Niko Medved as head men's basketball coach.[19] After a 17–17 season that exceeded low expectations, Medved announced his departure from Drake, accepting an offer from Colorado State University on March 22, 2018, less than one year after his tenure at Drake began.[20]
2018–present
On March 29, 2018, Creighton University assistant coach Darian DeVries was named the new head coach of the team. Devries led the Bulldogs to a regular season record of 23–8 and won the MVC Championship in his first year as head coach. Devries was named MVC Coach of the Year for his role in returning Drake to the top of The Valley.[21]
In 2020, Drake hosted Northern Iowa in a nationally televised game which was also the first Knapp Center sell out since the 2007-08 season. Drake lost in humiliating fashion to their instate conference rival scoring a season low 43 points in route to a 70-43 loss. Six days later at
For the 2020-21 season, Drake had an undefeated non-conference season and started the season with an 18-0 record, the best start in school history. The Bulldogs finished regular season with 24 wins to mark their third-straight 20-win season, a feat which had only previously happened once. The Bulldogs also equaled a school record with 15 Missouri Valley Conference wins.
The 2020-21 team made the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance in 13 years. Their First Four appearance against former MVC foe Wichita State on March 18 resulted in a 53-52 victory, which was the team's first win in the tournament in 50 years. The Bulldogs bowed out in the next round against the USC Trojans two days later, ending their season at 26-5.
The Drake Bulldogs gymnasium was featured in the final scene of the 2023 Peacock streaming movie Champions starring Woody Harrelson, Matt Cook & Caitlin Olson.
The 2023-24 season was Drake's sixth straight season, all under Devries, with 20 or more wins and saw Drake go undefeated at home throughout the entire season. DeVries left just three days after the conclusion of the season to become the head coach at West Virginia.
Drake Bulldog head coaches
List of Drake Bulldogs men's basketball head coaches
Record versus conference teams
Below are the records of the Bulldogs versus current members of the Missouri Valley Conference.[22]
Team | Record |
---|---|
Belmont | 3–2 |
Bradley | 73–93 |
Evansville | 34-28 |
Illinois State | 40–61 |
Indiana State | 51-49 |
Missouri State |
23–49 |
Murray State | 5-2 |
Northern Iowa | 34–52 |
Southern Illinois | 45–61 |
UIC | 10–2 |
Valparaiso | 12–8 |
MVC All-Centennial Team
In 2006–07, the Missouri Valley Conference celebrated its centennial as the nation's second-oldest NCAA Division I conference. As part of the celebration, The Valley named All-Centennial teams for each of the sponsored sports. Two of the 50 men's basketball players named were from Drake's program.[23]
Player | Years |
---|---|
Lewis Lloyd | 1979–81 |
Willie McCarter | 1966–69 |
All-Century Team
Player | No. | Position | Years |
---|---|---|---|
Ted Payseur | Forward
|
1918–22 | |
Harley Wilhelm
|
Forward
|
1919–23 | |
Bill Boelter | Forward
|
1921–24 | |
Chuck Everett | Forward
|
1923–27 | |
Chuck Orebaugh | Guard
|
1933–37 | |
William Evans
|
4 | Forward
|
1942–43, '46–49 |
Walt O'Connor | 20 | Guard
|
1938–41 |
Gus Ollrich | 4 | Guard
|
1946–48, 1951–54 |
Red Murrell | 33 | Forward
|
1955–58 |
Gus Guydon | 15 | Guard
|
1958–61 |
Gene West | 10 | Guard
|
1962–65 |
Willie Wise | 42 | Forward
|
1967–69 |
Willie McCarter | 15 | Guard
|
1966–69 |
Dolph Pulliam | 5 | Forward
|
1966–69 |
Jeff Halliburton | 42 | Forward
|
1969–71 |
Wayne Kreklow | 15 | Guard
|
1975–79 |
Ken Harris | 32 | Forward
|
1973–77 |
Lewis Lloyd | 30 | Forward
|
1979–81 |
Melvin Mathis | 44 | Forward
|
1982–86 |
Sam Roark | 32 | Forward
|
1986–90 |
Lynnrick Rogers | 22 | Guard
|
1993–97 |
Retired numbers
The Bulldogs have retired five jersey numbers, with the latest being a trio of numbers retired to honor the 1969 team, who went all the way to the Final Four.
Drake Bulldogs retired numbers | ||||
No. | Player | Career | No. ret. | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
5 | Dolph Pulliam | 1965–1969 | 2009 | [24] |
15 | Willie McCarter | 1966–1969 | 2009 | [24] |
30 | Lewis Lloyd | 1979–1981 | 1981 | [25] |
33 | Red Murrell | 1955–1958 | 1958 | [26] |
42 | Willie Wise | 1967–1969 | 2009 | [24] |
Awards
Missouri Valley Conference Players of the Year
Player | No. | Position | Year(s) chosen |
---|---|---|---|
Jeff Halliburton | 42 | F
|
1971 |
Lewis Lloyd | 30 | SF | 1980, 1981 |
Curt Smith | 13 | PG | 1993 |
Adam Emmenecker | 15 | PG | 2008 |
Tucker DeVries | 12 | G/F
|
2023, 2024 |
National Coaches of the Year
Coach | Year(s) chosen |
---|---|
Keno Davis | 2008 |
Missouri Valley Conference Coaches of the Year
Coach | Year(s) chosen |
---|---|
Keno Davis | 2008 |
Darian DeVries | 2019, 2021 |
Men's Basketball Academic All-American of the Year
Player | Year(s) chosen |
---|---|
Adam Emmenecker | 2008 |
Arenas
First game | Last game | Home arena | Capacity |
---|---|---|---|
January 26, 1907 | March 2, 1909 | The Shed | 2,500 |
January 25, 1910 | March 15, 1919 | Alumni Gymnasium | 4,102 |
January 6, 1920 | March 6, 1926 | Des Moines Coliseum | 6,465 |
January 4, 1927 | March 2, 1957 | Drake Fieldhouse | 6,500 |
December 2, 1957 | March 2, 1992 | Veterans Memorial Auditorium |
11,411 |
December 5, 1992 | Present | Knapp Center | 7,002 |
Total | 104 seasons | 6 venues | Average capacity: 6,330 |
Seasons
Postseason appearances
Drake has participated in four different postseason tournaments. They have an 12–10 record overall in them.
NCAA Division I tournament history
The Bulldogs have appeared in seven
Year | Seed | Round | Opponent | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1969 | Sweet Sixteen Elite Eight Final Four Third Place Game |
Texas A&M Colorado State UCLA North Carolina |
W 81–63 W 84–77 L 82–85 W 104–84 | |
1970 | Sweet Sixteen Elite Eight |
Houston New Mexico State |
W 92–87 L 78–87 | |
1971 | Sweet Sixteen Elite Eight |
Notre Dame Kansas |
W 79–72 OT L 71–73 | |
2008 | #5 | First Round | #12 Western Kentucky | L 99–101 OT |
2021 | #11 | First Four First round |
#11 Wichita State #6 USC |
W 53–52 L 56–72 |
2023 | #12 | First Round | #5 Miami | L 56–63 |
2024 | #10 | First Round | #7 Washington State | L 61–66 |
National Invitational Tournament (NIT) history
The Bulldogs have appeared in three National Invitation Tournaments. Their combined record is 1–3.
Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1964 | First round Second round |
Pittsburgh New Mexico |
W 87–82 L 60–65 |
1981 | First round | Minnesota | L 77–90 |
1986 | First round | Marquette | L 59–79 |
College Basketball Invitational (CBI) history
The Bulldogs have appeared in one College Basketball Invitational (CBI). Their combined record is 1-1.
Year | Seed | Round | Opponent | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
2022 | No. 1 | First round Quarterfinals |
No. 16 Purdue Fort Wayne No. 9 UNC Wilmington |
W 87-65 L 76-75 |
CollegeInsider.com Tournament (CIT) history
The Bulldogs have appeared in four CollegeInsider.com Tournaments. Their combined record is 2–4.
Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2009 | First round | Idaho | L 67–69 |
2012 | First round Second round |
North Dakota Rice |
W 70–64 L 68–74 |
2018 | First round Second round |
Abilene Christian Northern Colorado |
W 80–73 OT L 72–81 |
2019 | First round | Southern Utah | L 73–80 OT |
NCIT history
Drake was selected to the second and final National Commissioners Invitational Tournament ever held. They won all three games to be named NCIT champions.
Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1975 | First round Semifinals Finals |
Southern California Bowling Green Arizona |
W 80–70 W 78–65 W 83–76 |
Notes and references
- ^ Missouri Valley Conference Style Guide (PDF). August 29, 2022. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
- ^ "Maurice "Maury" John". collegehoopedia.com.
- ^ "Maury John Coaching Record". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com.
- ^ "Bob Ortegel Coaching Record". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com.
- ^ "Howard Stacey Coaching Record". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com.
- ^ "Gary Garner Coaching Record". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com.
- ^ a b c "1968-69 Drake Bulldogs Schedule and Results". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com.
- ^ a b Crotty, James Marshall. "Dolph Pulliam, Drake University And The Greatest Near Upset In NCAA Tournament History". Forbes.
- ^ Reno, Jamie (21 March 2008). "Drake doesn't forget ... now" – via LA Times.
- ^ Jares, Joe. "Reprieve—And an Electroluminescent Finale". Vault.
- ^ "UCLA vs. Drake Box Score, March 20, 1969".
- ^ "The David vs. Goliath story of the 1969 Drake Bulldogs and their run to NCAA's Final Four". The Des Moines Register.
- ^ "1969-70 Drake Bulldogs Roster and Stats".
- ^ "1970-71 Drake Bulldogs Roster and Stats".
- ^ a b "1970-71 Drake Bulldogs Schedule and Results". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com.
- ^ Sullivan, Jim (25 March 2006). "Sully Saturday: Mac's story parallels that of Maury John's". Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier.
- ^ "Maury John, 54, Coached At Drake and Iowa State". The New York Times. 17 October 1974.
- ^ "Drake's Giacoletti resigns: 'I think it's time for a new voice'". desmoinesregister.com.
- ^ "Drake University Athletics - Staff Directory". godrakebulldogs.com.
- ^ "Celebrating Tuesday, leaving Thursday: How Niko Medved's tenure ended at Drake". desmoinesregister.com.
- Des Moines Register. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-01-03. Retrieved 2012-02-11.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "MVC Men's Basketball '50 Greatest' Players" (PDF). Missouri Valley Conference. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 March 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- ^ a b c Drake basketball trio to have jerseys retired at Drake University, 5 Feb 2009
- ^ 'He was really just unstoppable': Remembering Lewis Lloyd's magical time with Drake basketball by Tommy Birch at The Des Moines Register, 8 Jul 2019
- ^ Drake Men's Basketball All-American Red Murrell Passes Away at godrake.com, 20 Dec 2017