What is Drake March Madness best run ever? The Missouri Valley Conference isn’t a powerhouse in college basketball, but the Drake Bulldogs are a standout.
Unfortunately, Drake did not go very far in the NCAA March Madness 2024, losing to the Washington Cougars on the first round. Still, let’s take a look at the men’s basketball team program history to see what this team might be capable of doing in the future.
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Historical Context
The NCAA tournament hasn’t been commonplace in Drake history. In fact, there have been just seven appearances in the tournament in school history. Drake has won the Missouri Valley Conference tournament in back-to-back years. That means that the Bulldogs earned a trip to March Madness and the NCAA tournament.
Making the 2008 tournament is a big moment in Drake’s history. They failed to win in the first round but getting back was important (in the only season for head coach Keno Davis, at that). Missouri Valley Conference teams have it tough, but Drake has managed to reach the tournament for the third time in four years, creating a trend under Darian DeVries.
They are no doubt one of the best basketball teams in Iowa.
Drake’s Atin Wright celebrates after making a 3-point basket during the second half of a first-round college basketball game against Washington State in the NCAA Tournament Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Omaha, Neb. Drake March Madness run ended after losing in the first round. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
1970 Midwest Semifinals vs. Houston
Houston has a deep history in March, but they were no match for the Bulldogs on that day. Battling in one of the most prolific games in the bracket, Drake managed to outlast the Cougars 92-87 to advance to the Elite Eight for the second year in a row.
1969 Elite Eight vs. Colorado State
It had been a strong tournament run for the Bulldogs. They earned a buy in the Midwest region that year, getting Texas A&M in the semifinals. They dominated 81-63 to set the stage with Colorado State. In the end, the Bulldogs proved to be too much, launching the program to its only Final Four appearance.
2008 – Returning to the Dance
How long had it been since Drake had been to the NCAA tournament? Try 36 years. In Keno Davis’ only year with the program, he took the Bulldogs to a No. 5 seed and a 14th overall ranking in the Associated Press. They lost that year but getting back after so long had to feel sweet for the Bulldogs.
Drake March Madness Statistical Analysis
How does Drake stand up against the rest of the field? Will they have what it takes to get to the next round and beyond? Let’s take a closer look at the team as a whole to see how they stack up on both sides of the court.
Standout Performances: Leading Scorers, Rebounders, and Playmakers
This year, Tucker DeVris and Atin Wright have been the key. DeVries leads the team with 21.8 points per game and is second with 6.8 rebounds per game. Wright averages more than a steal per game. Four players currently sit with double digits in points, a key to the battle that is the NCAA tournament.
Defensive Excellence: Blocks, Steals, and Defensive Metrics
Defensively, Darnell Brodie leads with 7.8 rebounds per game and 0.5 blocks. DeVries leads the team with 1.6 steals per game and there are five players who have at least 0.6 steals per game. Getting it done defensively is how teams go far in the tournament.
Drake finished 124th in the nation in scoring defense, allowing 70.5 points per game. That’s about middle of the pack, so not necessarily a liability. They will need to be much better if they are going to go far in March this season.
Memorable Drake March Madness Runs
Drake hasn’t had an easy time winning in March. Despite winning the conference tournament title a few times, they don’t have a March Madness victory in more than 50 years. The last victory came in the 1971 tournament, but there have been some historic runs of note.
1969
The first great run for Drake came with more than a few wins in a short span. Drake won the Midwest region that year, defeating Texas A&M and Colorado State to make the Final Four. There, they lost to powerhouse UCLA, who went on to win the national championship.
1970
Once again in the Midwest region, Drake picked up where they left off the previous March. They defeated Houston in the semifinals before ultimately falling to New Mexico State. Still, Final Four and Elite Eight appearances in back-to-back seasons are a high point for Drake basketball.
1971
Drake again made a deep run in the Midwest region in what would final tournament appearance until 2008. Drake fell just short of a second Final Four, losing 73-71 to traditional powerhouse Kansas in the regional finals.
Iconic Figures
Like any basketball program, there are great coaches and players of note. Let’s look at this team, the play of a few major players, and the coaches that have been there to lead the charge throughout, creating some of the biggest wins in Drake men’s basketball history.
Legendary Players: Profiles of Drake’s Basketball Icons
Though it has been some time since Drake last had a standout player, they have more than a few notable names. In the 1960s and 1970s, they had guys like Willie Wise, Gene West, Wayne Kreklow, Jeff Halliburton, and Ken Harris.
There is still time for legends to be made. Getting it done in March will propel new players up the ranks in no time. This season could very well play an important part in the annals of Drake men’s basketball history when all is said and done.
Coaching Legends: Contributions to the Bulldogs’ Legacy
There are two names that stand a cut above right now. Maury John was the first and is the greatest coach in Drake history. Things were different back then and the Bulldogs finished without a tournament appearance in his first 10 seasons. But three straight appearances, including a Final Four appearance, are hard to beat.
The other head coach worth noting is the current one, Darian DeVries. The team has won 24 games or more in all but one year under him.
They have also made the NCAA tournament three years out of the last four, including a pair of conference title wins. There is no telling how well he could have the team playing going forward.
Comparative Analysis
On paper, Drake looks like a top team. The Bulldogs finished as conference tournament champions in the last two years. In that span, they have won 55 regular season games. And still, a second-round appearance hasn’t manifested.
Winning a conference title is always good. The hope is that they can become a top mid-major in the country and start to garner more attention. Winning is the only thing that matters and Drake has done a lot of that lately, even if it hasn’t been in the part of March that matters most.
ST. LOUIS, MO – MARCH 10: Drake players hold the “Ticket Punched’ placard after winning the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament championship game between the Indiana State Sycamore and the Drake Bulldogs on March 10, 2024, at Enterprise Center in St. Louis, MO. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire) (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)
Impact Beyond Basketball
The future of the program seems like it is in good hands under head coach Darian DeVries. In six seasons at the helm, he has led the team to three games in March Madness. Unfortunately, losing all three of those games isn’t exactly a success.
Drake’s recruiting is merely average, hovering around the top 100. Getting more out of his guys is how Drake basketball is going to thrive. It might not be great but winning at a high level is tough even if you manage to qualify for March Madness.
Overcoming Adversity
Despite going 28-6 and winning the conference tournament, Drake has had to face its share of adversity. Winning seasons aren’t easy to come by and getting to the NCAA tournament and March Madness is tough in its own right.
Without winning the tournament, it is an uphill battle. Drake basketball is carving out a nice place for itself as a mid-major to be taken seriously, though it needs a first round win sooner rather than later. Getting to the second round could do wonders going forward.
Community and Fanbase
Fans and the Des Moines community at large might not be as big as other schools. That said, both locals and alumni are great about supporting the team. Though there have been few seasons of success, the Bulldogs have played in front of raucous crowds.
Drake has become ingratiated with Des Moines. Drake’s recent success with men’s basketball has made it a force to be reckoned with, even challenging in-state rival programs like Iowa State. Drake has made mid-major basketball something to cherish in Iowa.
Future Prospects
Drake’s success lately has been helped by transfers. If the team can continue to bolster its ranks with additions from around the NCAA, it will only get better. Recruiting, as is the challenge for other mid-major teams, is always tough.
Drake remains competitive on a national level. The Bulldogs have advanced to the end in each of the last two conference tournaments, winning both. Beating Washington State on Thursday will be an important step when it comes to growing the school, the program, and having more successful seasons in the future.
Conclusion
Winning the Missouri Valley Conference championship game is a great start. Getting past Washington State in the first round would be huge for the men’s basketball team, which hasn’t won a tournament game in 50 years. Thursday will be an important time for the team and a chance to make Drake history.
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