Amanda Knapp
Drake University's basketball team, the Drake Bulldogs, has had a varied history of success in the NCAA Division I basketball competition. The team has had periods of dominance, such as in the 1930s and 1940s, and a long stretch of unsuccessful seasons from 1987 to 2006. More recently, in the 2023-24 season, the Bulldogs had their sixth straight season with 20 or more wins and went undefeated at home. The team also made history in the 2025 NCAA Tournament with a first-round win over Missouri, advancing to the second round. Drake's basketball history also includes notable figures like rapper Drake, who has been involved with NBA teams and served as an assistant coach in the NBA Celebrity All-Star Game.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Team name | Drake Bulldogs |
| Team representation | Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa |
| Competition | NCAA Division I basketball |
| Tournament | 2025 NCAA Tournament |
| Round | First |
| Opponent | Missouri Tigers |
| Score | 67-57 |
| Venue | INTRUST Bank Arena, Wichita, Kansas |
| Date | March 20, 2025 |
| Coach | Ben McCollum |
| Previous win | 2021 |
| Consecutive wins | 31 |
| Notable players | Tavion Banks, Bennett Stirtz, Caleb Grill, Tamar Bates |
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What You'll Learn
Drake Bulldogs men's basketball team
The Drake Bulldogs men's basketball team represents Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, in the NCAA Division I basketball competition. The team first competed in the 1906–07 season, and joined the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) in the following season.
The Bulldogs dominated the 1930s, winning three conference titles in 1934–35, 1935–36, and 1938–39. They continued their success throughout the 1940s and 1950s, achieving eight winning seasons. During the 1960s to the mid-1980s, the team was regularly ranked nationally, and the MVC was one of the top conferences for men's basketball. Drake had fourteen winning seasons during this period.
However, from 1987 to 2006, the team did not have a winning season. They went through four coaches during this period, and their performance suffered, including a 2–26 season in 1996–97 and a 3–24 season in 1997–98.
The 2003–04 season saw the beginning of a rebuilding phase under coach Dr. Tom Davis. In the 2006–07 season, the team achieved its first winning record in 21 years. The following season, under Keno Davis, the team won the MVC regular season and tournament titles, advancing to the NCAA tournament. They finished the season with a school-best 28–5 record.
The Bulldogs have continued to find success in recent years, with the 2023–24 season being their sixth consecutive season with 20 or more wins. They remain a competitive force in NCAA Division I basketball.
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Drake's winning streak in the 1940s and 1950s
The Drake Bulldogs men's basketball team has a long and storied history, with the team first fielded for the 1906–07 season. During the 1940s and 1950s, the Bulldogs had a winning streak that secured eight winning seasons. However, there was an interruption during World War II, with no Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) play during the 1943–44 and 1944–45 seasons as most MVC schools did not play basketball during those years.
In 1951, Drake withdrew from the MVC, along with Bradley, in protest of the MVC's failure to discipline Oklahoma A&M in the Johnny Bright Incident. The Bulldogs did not compete in the MVC again until the 1956–57 season. Despite this interruption, the team's success continued into the 1960s and mid-1980s, with the Bulldogs regularly appearing in the national rankings and the MVC being one of the premier conferences in men's basketball.
The Bulldogs' success was further solidified by their fourteen winning seasons during this extended period. Notably, Coach Maury John led the team to an impressive 211 wins (211-131) from 1958 to 1971. John joined Drake after a successful stint at Moberly Junior College, where he compiled a remarkable 285–58 record and led the team to back-to-back NJCAA National Championships.
The Bulldogs' winning tradition continued in the 2000s, with the 2003–04 season marking the beginning of a massive rebuilding project for the team under Coach Tom Davis. After a challenging start, the team finished the 2006–07 season with a winning record for the first time in 21 years. The momentum continued into the 2007–08 season, which is remembered as one of the most successful in Drake history. The Bulldogs won the MVC regular season and tournament titles, advancing to the NCAA tournament and earning a five seed.
In recent years, the Bulldogs have continued to excel, with the 2023-24 season marking their sixth straight season with 20 or more wins and an undefeated home record. Additionally, in the 2020-21 season, Drake started with an 18-0 record, the best start in school history, and made their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 13 years.
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Drake's 2023-24 season
The season witnessed the growth of Tucker DeVries and the introduction of new players to the roster, including transfer Atin Wright and freshman Kevin Overton. They seamlessly filled gaps in the lineup, with Wright and Overton second and third in scoring. However, the team also faced setbacks, with Roberts missing the entire season due to an undisclosed injury.
The 2023-24 season also brought changes to the coaching staff, as DeVries departed just three days after the season's conclusion to take on the role of head coach at West Virginia. Year after year, scouts from the National Basketball Association have shown interest in the son of Drake's head coach, Darian DeVries. The team now faces several questions during the offseason, including the future of Darian DeVries, whether Tucker DeVries will enter the NBA Draft, and potential player losses to the transfer portal.
Despite the early exit from the NCAA Tournament, the 2023-24 season added to the rich history of Drake Bulldogs men's basketball, which dates back to the 1906-07 season. The team has experienced both highs and lows over the decades, including a period of dominance in the 1930s and a challenging stretch from 1987 to 2006 without a winning season. The 2007-08 season under Keno Davis stands out as one of the most successful in Drake's history, with the team winning the Missouri Valley Conference regular season and tournament titles and advancing in the NCAA tournament.
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Drake's coach Ben McCollum
Drake University's men's basketball team, the Bulldogs, has a rich history in NCAA Division I basketball. The team has experienced both highs and lows over the years, with notable successes in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, followed by a prolonged drought without a winning season from 1987 to 2006.
In 2024, Drake University welcomed Ben McCollum as its new head coach for the men's basketball team. Coach McCollum, a native of Iowa, had previously established an impressive coaching career at Northwest Missouri State. During his 15-year tenure there, he led his teams to four NCAA Division II national championships, including an impressive three-peat from 2019 to 2022. McCollum's success at Northwest Missouri State caught the eye of Drake University, and he was hired to replace DeVries, who left after the 2023-24 season.
McCollum's impact on the Drake Bulldogs was immediate and significant. In his first season, he guided the team to its first NCAA tournament victory since 2021, defeating the sixth-seeded Missouri. This win showcased the team's grit and determination, as they held off a late charge from Missouri to secure the win. McCollum's success in his inaugural season can be attributed to his ability to build a winning culture, emphasizing perseverance and tactical brilliance.
Ben McCollum's coaching philosophy is deeply rooted in his passion for basketball and his pursuit of excellence. His success at Northwest Missouri State and Drake University demonstrates his exceptional ability to identify talented players, foster a culture of winning, and maximize the potential of his student-athletes. McCollum's commitment to excellence extends beyond the basketball court, as he also focuses on the positive impact he can have on the lives of his players, leaving a lasting mark on their development both as athletes and individuals.
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Drake's 2007-08 season
The 2007–08 Drake Bulldogs men's basketball team represented Drake University in the 2007–08 college basketball season. The team was led by first-year head coach Keno Davis, who took over from his father, Tom Davis, after the 2006–07 season.
The 2007–08 season was one of the most successful in Drake's history. On November 9 and 10, Drake competed in the Saint Mary's Tip-Off Classic, winning against UC San Diego but losing to Saint Mary's College in the championship game. The team then went on a winning streak, defeating Cornell (IA), Milwaukee, and North Carolina Central in November and early December. On December 1, 2007, Drake won the Iowa Realty Invitational, and on December 8, they won the Drake Regency Classic. On December 14, 2007, Drake broke a 20-year winless streak at Iowa, improving to 9–1 for the first time since the 1979–80 season.
The Bulldogs continued their strong performance into the new year, winning their first game against Southern Illinois since February 17, 1999, on January 2, 2007. On January 6, 2008, they set a new school record for the best start in history with a 12–1 mark. They received their first vote of the year in the USA Today/ESPN Top 25 coaches' poll on January 7, 2008, and were ranked 15th in both the coaches' and AP polls by February. On February 9, 2008, Drake extended their winning streak to 21 games. The team won the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) regular season championship on February 16, 2008, for the first time since the 1970–71 season.
The Bulldogs finished the season with a school-best record of 28–5, advancing to the NCAA tournament. However, they lost in the first round to Western Kentucky, despite being the five seed. The 2007–08 season marked a significant turnaround for the Drake Bulldogs, who had struggled in the previous years, failing to have a winning season from 1987 to 2006.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Drake went undefeated at home throughout the entire season.
No, but it was the first winning season in 21 years for the team.
No, but they made the Final Four.
No, they lost to Texas Tech in the second round.
