Amanda Knapp
Drake University is a D-1 school for basketball, in the Pioneer Football League for football, and in the Missouri Valley Conference for most other sports. Drake men's basketball has had a historic run, with the Bulldogs making it to the NCAA Tournament after a gap of 13 years. Drake's basketball team has had its highs and lows over the years, with a winning streak in the 1940s and 1950s, a 2–26 season in 1996–97, and a recent string of 20 or more wins seasons. Drake's association with basketball goes beyond the school team, as the famous rapper Drake, who tried out for the Degrassi High basketball team, is a massive supporter of his hometown team, the Toronto Raptors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the team | Drake Bulldogs |
| University | Drake University |
| Location | Des Moines, Iowa |
| Division | NCAA Division I |
| Coach | Ben McCollum |
| Tournament appearances | Four different postseason tournaments, including eight NCAA tournaments, three National Invitation Tournaments, one College Basketball Invitational, and four CollegeInsider.com Tournaments |
| Tournament record | 12-10 overall; 7-8 in NCAA tournaments; 1-3 in National Invitation Tournaments; 1-1 in College Basketball Invitational; 2-4 in CollegeInsider.com Tournaments |
| Notable seasons | 1930s (won three conference titles); 1969 (Final Four); 1974-75 (won first national tournament title); 1980-81 and 1985-86 (advanced to the National Invitational Tournament); 2003-04 (rebuilding season under Coach Tom Davis); 2007-08 (won Missouri Valley Conference regular season and tournament titles) |
| Notable players | Stirtz, Abreu |
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What You'll Learn
Drake Bulldogs men's basketball team
The Drake Bulldogs men's basketball team represents Drake University, based in Des Moines, Iowa, in NCAA Division I basketball competition. The team first competed in the 1906–07 season, and in the 1907–08 season, they were charter members of the Missouri Valley Conference.
The Bulldogs have had a rich history in basketball, with a winning streak throughout the 1940s and 1950s, securing eight winning seasons. They dominated the 1930s, winning three conference titles in the decade (1934–35, 1935–36, and 1938–39). During the 1960s and through the mid-1980s, the Bulldogs were consistently ranked nationally, and the MVC was one of the premier conferences in men's basketball. They have appeared in the NCAA tournament eight times, most recently in 2025, and are best known for their 1969 Final Four achievement. The team has also participated in four different postseason tournaments, with an overall record of 12–10.
The Bulldogs have had several notable coaches throughout their history. Coach Maury John led the team from 1958 to 1971, accumulating a record of 211 wins. In 1971, he left Drake for Iowa State University. In 2003, Drake hired former Iowa head coach Dr. Tom Davis, who initiated a rebuilding project for the team. Under his guidance, the team achieved its first winning record in 21 years during the 2006–2007 season. Following Davis' resignation, his son, Keno Davis, took over as head coach and led the Bulldogs to a successful 2007–08 season, winning the Missouri Valley Conference regular season and tournament titles.
More recently, in 2017, Niko Medved was appointed head coach but departed after one season. He was succeeded by Creighton University assistant coach Darian DeVries, who led the Bulldogs to a 23–8 record and an MVC Championship in his inaugural year. DeVries' tenure witnessed the standout performance of junior guard Bennett Stirtz, who was instrumental in the team's championship run and was named the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Most Valuable Player. In 2025, following McCollum's departure, Eric Henderson, formerly of South Dakota State, took over as head coach.
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Drake's winning streak
The Drake Bulldogs men's basketball team has had several notable winning streaks throughout its history, representing Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, in NCAA Division I basketball.
The team first fielded a men's basketball team in 1906-07, finishing with a 2-1 record as an independent. The following season, they joined the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) and quickly established themselves as a dominant force in the 1930s, winning three conference titles. During the 1940s and 1950s, Drake's winning streak continued with eight winning seasons, despite a hiatus during World War II.
In the 1960s and through the mid-1980s, the Bulldogs consistently ranked nationally, with fourteen winning seasons. Coach Maury John led the team to a remarkable 211 wins from 1958 to 1971. Following his departure, Drake won their first national tournament title in the 1974-75 season under Coach Ortegel.
After a lengthy drought without a winning season from 1987 to 2006, the Bulldogs experienced a resurgence under the leadership of Dr. Tom Davis, who was hired in 2003. In the 2006-2007 season, the team achieved its first winning record in 21 years. The momentum continued under his son, Keno Davis, in the 2007-08 season, as the Bulldogs won the MVC regular season and tournament titles, advancing to the NCAA tournament.
More recently, in 2025, Drake claimed its third consecutive MVC championship, showcasing their continued success in Division I basketball.
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Coach Ben McCollum
Ben McCollum, a native of Storm Lake, Iowa, is an American basketball coach. He is currently the head men's basketball coach at the University of Iowa. McCollum played basketball for two years at North Iowa Area Community College before transferring to Northwest Missouri State in 2001, where he played for Steve Tappmeyer. In his senior year, the school made its first Elite Eight appearance. He graduated with a degree in business finance and received a master's degree in athletic administration from the same school in 2004.
McCollum was an assistant coach at Emporia State University from 2004 to 2008. In 2009, he was named the head coach of Northwest Missouri State. His team struggled in the first two seasons, with records of 12-15 and 10-16. However, in the 2011-12 season, his team went 22-7, won the regular-season MIAA crown, and played in the first round of the Division II NCAA tournament. He was honoured with the Clarence Gaines Award as the best NCAA Division II coach in 2012.
In 2014, 2015, and 2016, his teams reached the Division II Sweet 16 three years in a row. McCollum won his first NCAA Division II national championship in 2017, followed by three more titles in 2019, 2021, and 2022. He also won the Clarence Gaines Award again in 2020 and 2022.
In 2024, McCollum was hired as the head coach of the Drake Bulldogs, representing Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. In his first and only season with Drake, he guided the team to a 31-4 record, winning the Missouri Valley Conference regular season and tournament titles. The team earned a No. 11 seed in the NCAA Tournament and defeated Missouri, recording the program's first non-First Four win since 1971. McCollum was named the Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year and the Joe B. Hall National Coach of the Year.
On March 24, 2025, Ben McCollum was named the head coach of the University of Iowa men's basketball program, returning to his home state. He has a highly successful coaching record, with four NCAA Division II national championships and an impressive winning percentage.
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Drake's success in the 2024-25 season
The Drake Bulldogs men's basketball team had a successful 2024-25 season, finishing with a 27-3 record in NCAA Division I basketball. This was their third consecutive appearance in the NCAA tournament, with their last participation being in 2025.
The Bulldogs, led by head coach Ben McCollum, played their home games at the Knapp Center in Des Moines, Iowa, as members of the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC). They dominated the regular season, ending with a 17-3 record in MVC play and securing the school's first outright conference title since the 2007-08 season.
In the MVC tournament, the Bulldogs continued their winning streak, defeating Southern Illinois, Belmont, and Bradley to become tournament champions. This victory earned them an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament as one of the top teams in their region. Their success in the NCAA tournament continued as they defeated Missouri in the First Round, marking their first victory in the tournament since 1971.
The Bulldogs' impressive performance in the 2024-25 season under the guidance of Coach McCollum, who was praised as a "basketball genius", solidified their place as a force to be reckoned with in Division I basketball. Their success garnered attention and highlighted the strong foundation and strategy implemented by the team.
However, despite their achievements, the Bulldogs' journey ended in the second round of the NCAA tournament, where they faced a formidable opponent in Texas Tech and suffered a loss, concluding their remarkable season.
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Drake's first national tournament title
Drake University's men's basketball team, the Drake Bulldogs, competes in the NCAA Division I basketball competition. The team has a rich history in college basketball, with their first season going all the way back to 1906-07.
This title was a significant milestone for the Drake Bulldogs, who had experienced success in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, with multiple conference titles and winning seasons. However, the 1974-75 season marked their first national tournament victory, solidifying their place in college basketball history.
The Bulldogs have also achieved notable success in other tournaments. They have appeared in eight NCAA Tournaments, advancing to the Final Four in 1969 and finishing third. Additionally, they have participated in three National Invitation Tournaments and four CollegeInsider.com Tournaments.
In recent years, under the guidance of head coach Ben McCollum, the Drake Bulldogs have continued to excel. In his first season, McCollum guided the team to a 27-3 overall record and their first outright MVC regular-season championship since 2007-08. With their strong performance, the Bulldogs are once again making their mark in Division I basketball.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Drake University's men's basketball team, the Drake Bulldogs, represents the university in NCAA Division I basketball competition.
The Drake Bulldogs have had their fair share of success, making the 1969 Final Four and appearing eight times in the NCAA tournament, most recently in 2025. They have also appeared in three National Invitation Tournaments, one College Basketball Invitational, and four CollegeInsider.com Tournaments.
The current coach is Ben McCollum, who was hired in the off-season.
The Bulldogs are currently 26-3, tied for the most wins in the nation.
Stirtz is a 6'4" point guard with exceptional court vision, elite passing skills, and the ability to shoot from range. He is the likely Missouri Valley Player of the Year and leads the team in scoring, assists, and steals.
