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Drake Bulldogs
Drakelogo
School Name: Drake University
Location: Des Moines, IA
Arena: Knapp Center
Capacity: 7,002
Conference: The Valley
Head coach: Mark Phelps

The Drake Bulldogs men's basketball team represents Drake University, located in Des Moines, Iowa, in NCAA Division I basketball competition.

The team's current coach is Mark Phelps, previously an assistant at Arizona State, who was hired after the 2007-08 season.[1] Phelps replaced Keno Davis, who left for Providence after one season as head coach at Drake, in which the Bulldogs finished 28-5 and Davis won multiple national Coach of the Year awards.[2]

The Early Years (1906-1959)[]

The first season Drake fielded a men's basketball 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 would dominate the 1930s winning three conference titles in the decade (1934–35, 1935–36, and 1938–39). The Bulldogs unfortunately did not qualify for a post-season tournament by winning the conference title 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 North Dakota 49-46, falling to Minnesota 36-19). The Bulldogs participated in the National Intercollegiate Tournament in 1937-38 (losing to Murray State 47-40) and 1938–39 (losing to Oklahoma State 28-15).

Throughout the 1940s and 1950s Drake would secure eight winning seasons. There was no Missouri Valley Conference play during the 1943-44 and 1944-45 seasons because of World War II. This was in part because less MVC schools were playing basketball during that time, Drake was though. In 1951 Drake withdrew as a member of the Missouri Valley Conference, along with Bradley as a result of the lack of action taken by the Missouri Valley Conference against Oklahoma A&M in the Johnny Bright Incident. Drake would not compete in the Missouri Valley Conference again until the 1956-57 season.

Glory Years (1960-1986)[]

The 1960s through mid-1980s saw some of the all-time great Drake teams. The Bulldogs were in the national rankings on a regular basis and the Missouri Valley Conference was one of the premier conferences in men's basketball. Drake had fourteen winning seasons during this time.

Drake shared the 1963-64 conference title with Louisville and received an invitation to the National Invitational Tournament. In the tournament, Drake defeated Pittsburgh 87-82 in the first round and lost to tournament runner-up New Mexico 65-60 in the second round.

The 1968-69 season was by far the most accomplished in Drake history. The Bulldogs won the Missouri Valley Conference outright and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Final Four, finishing third. During the tournament, Drake received a bye in the first round, defeated Texas A&M 81-63 in the Sweet Sixteen and Colorado State in the Elite Eight 84-77. The Bulldogs would fall to eventual champion UCLA 85-82 in the national semifinal before routing North Carolina 104-84 in the third place game.

Drake continued its magical run during the 1969-70 season once again capturing the Missouri Valley Conference title. The Bulldogs would qualify for their second strait NCAA Tournament, earning a bye in the first round. In the Sweet Sixteen, Drake defeated Houston 92-87, but fell to New Mexico 87-78 in the Elite Eight.

In 1970-71, the Bulldogs earned their third strait Missouri Valley Conference crown, advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the third year in a row. Drake received a bye in the first round, defeated Notre Dame in the Sweet Sixteen 79-72 (OT), but lost a heartbreaker to Kansas 73-71 in the Elite Eight.

Drake would win their first national torunament title during the 1974-75 season, capturing the National Commissioners Invitational Tournament postseason title. In the tournament, the Bulldogs defeated USC 80-70, Bowling Green 78-65, and Arizona in the championship game 83-76.

The Bulldogs also advanced to the National Invitational Tournament during the 1980-81 season (losing to Minnesota in the first round 90-77) and the 1985-86 seaosn (falling to Marquette 79-59 in the first round).

Dark Days (1987-2003)[]

From 1987 to 2003, Drake did not have a winning season in men's basketball. It was a dreary time in the storied program's history. The stretch included a dismal 2-26 season in 1996-97 and a dreadful 3-24 season in 1997-98. The Bulldogs went through four coaches, none of whom finished with a winning coaching record at Drake.

The 2001-02 season showed a glimmer of hope after starting out on the wrong note. Drake would suspend four players at winter semester break due to their not abiding by the school's 2.0 GPA rule (NCAA requires 1.8). The Bulldogs almost responded by pulling off the unthinkable winning season. Drake entered the conference 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 seasons end.

The Resurgence (2003-Present)[]

On April 22, 2003, Drake announced the hiring of Dr. Tom Davis as its new men's basketball coach. The hiring drew national attention and brough instant credibility to the struggling program. Davis’ career included sixteen 20-win seasons, eighteen post season appearances, and he was named Associated Press National Coach of the Year in 1987.

During the 2003-04 season, Davis began the massive rebuilding project of Bulldog basketball. After going 37-51 in his first three seasons, the team finished with 17-15 in the 2006-2007 season. It was Drake's first winning record since the 1985-86 season. Following the season, Davis resigned leading to the hiring of his son Keno Davis.

Under the guidance of Keno Davis, the 2007-08 season was one of the most storied in Drake history. The Bulldogs won the Missouri Valley Conference regular season and tournament titles, advancing the NCAA Tournament. Drake earned a five seed in the NCAA Tournament and they were ranked nationally throughout the year. The season would end in heartbreak fashion when Ty Rodgers hit a last second twenty-six foot three-point shot, giving Western Kentucky a 101-99 overtime victory in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Drake finished the season with a school best 28-5 record.

After the successful 2007-08 season, Keno Davis accepted the head basketball coach position at Providence. As a result, Drake hired former Arizona State assistant coach Mark Phelps. In 2008-09, Phelps' first season, the Bulldogs finished with a 17-16 record, falling in the College Insider Tournament to Idaho 89-87. In Phelps' second season the Bulldogs finished with a 14-19 record and they finished 13-18 in his third season.

1968-69 Final Four team[]

  • See 1968–69 Drake Bulldogs men's basketball team

2007-08 Cinderella season[]

  • See 2007–08 Drake Bulldogs men's basketball team

Rivals[]

The traditional rivals of Drake are Bradley University, Creighton University, the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and the University of Northern Iowa.

Rival Drake Record Name
Bradley 53-79 Game Between Ole Friends
Creighton 59-88 I-80 Rivalry
Iowa 10-55 Big Four
Iowa State 64-106 Big Four
Northern Iowa 51-67 Big Four, DU-UNI Rivalry
Total 237-394 5 Rivals
  • Big Four Series Champions (19): 1921-22, 1922–23, 1924–25, 1925–26, 1936–37, 1937–38, 1938–39, 1946–47, 1947–48, 1960–61, 1963–64, 1964–65, 1968–69, 1969–70, 1970–71, 1978–79, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09

Record versus conference teams[]

Below are the records of the Bulldogs versus current members of the Missouri Valley Conference.

Team Drake Record
Bradley 53-79
Creighton 59-88
Evansville 16-18
Illinois State 27-47
Indiana State 34-39
Missouri State 10-33
Northern Iowa 51-67
Southern Illinois 25-50
Wichita State 46-92
Total 321-513

Milestone Victories[]

Victory Team Score Date
1 Des Moines Baptist 36-17 January 26, 1907
100 Washington 40-22 February 26, 1926
200 Tulsa 29-22 January 8, 1938
300 Northern Iowa 58-49 December 6, 1947
400 Marquette 66-63 February 4, 1956
500 Cincinnati 76-66 January 18, 1964
600 Wichita State 98-85 January 8, 1970
700 Bradley 87-83 January 22, 1977
800 Lehigh 81-59 December 29, 1984
900 Bradley 73-65 January 16, 1993
1000 Western Illinois 72-62 December 14, 2002
1100 Wichita State 74-69 January 11, 2009
Total 104 Years 1132 Victories 2414 Games

Drake vs. top ranked teams[]

Drake has played teams ranked number one in at least one poll during the season on twenty-seven occasions. The Bulldogs are 8-19 overall.

Date Opponent Score Result
February 24, 1910 #1 Kansas 30-60 Loss
February 16, 1922 #1 Kansas 13-28 Loss
February 16, 1923 #1 Kansas 11-41 Loss
February 9, 1928 #1 Kansas 40-28 Win
January 28, 1935 #1 Iowa 45-25 Win
December 28, 1937 #1 Kansas 34-29 Win
March 1, 1946 #1 Oklahoma State 34-51 Loss
March 8, 1946 #1 Oklahoma State 25-65 Loss
December 21, 1946 #1 Notre Dame 56-59 Loss
December 22, 1955 #1 Indiana 79-82 Loss
December 29, 1955 #1 Illinois 66-102 Loss
February 11, 1957 #1 Bradley 86-85 Win
January 28, 1961 #1 Cincinnati 70-80 Loss
December 2, 1961 #1 Indiana 81-90 Loss
December 11, 1961 #1 Cincinnati 59-60 Loss
January 30, 1962 #1 Cincinnati 62-73 Loss
December 3, 1962 #1 Indiana 87-76 Win
December 10, 1964 #1 Texas 103-98 Win
December 30, 1964 #1 Georgetown 89-61 Win
March 30, 1969 #1 UCLA 82-85 Loss
January 18, 1977 #1 Marquette 60-62 Loss
February 20, 1979 #1 Indiana State 68-76 Loss
December 20, 1980 #1 Georgetown 73-57 Win
February 15, 1980 #1 Louisville 70-97 Loss
December 13, 1986 #1 Iowa 62-69 Loss
December 28, 1989 #1 Duke 77-101 Loss
December 27, 1998 #1 Indiana 46-102 Loss
Total 27 Games 1608-1842 8-19

Drake All-Century team[]

Player No. Position Years for Bulldogs
Ted Payseur ?? Forward 1918-22
Bill Boelter ?? Forward 1921-24
Chuck Everett ?? Forward 1923-27
Chuck Orebaugh ?? Guard 1933-37
Bill 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 ?? 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 ?? 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[]

Retired numbers
Number Player Year
#5 Dolph Pulliam 2009
#15 Willie McCarter 2009
#30 Lewis Lloyd 1981
#33 Red Murrell 1958
#42 Willie Wise 2009


Missouri Valley Conference Players of the Year[]

Player No. Position Year(s) chosen
Jeff Halliburton 42 Forward 1971
Lewis Lloyd 30 Small forward 1980, 1981
Curt Smith 13 Point guard 1993
Adam Emmenecker 15 Point guard 2008

National Coaches of the Year[]

Coach Year(s) chosen
Keno Davis 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 Current Arena Knapp Center 7,002
Total 104 Seasons 6 Venues Average Capacity 6,330

Record By Year[]

School Season Record (Conf. Record) Postseason
Drake 1906-07 2-1 (N/A) --
Drake 1907-08 1-4 (0-1) --
Drake 1908-09 3-8 (3-5) --
Drake 1909-10 0-12 (0-8) --
Drake 1910-11 0-6 (0-2) --
Drake 1911-12 2-7 (0-6) --
Drake 1912-13 1-8 (0-6) --
Drake 1913-14 1-9 (0-5) --
Drake 1914-15 5-6 (1-5) --
Drake 1915-16 3-9 (1-5) --
Drake 1916-17 5-7 (0-4) --
Drake 1917-18 2-17 (0-10) --
Drake 1918-19 10-18 (2-9) --
Drake 1919-20 12-11 (3-7) --
Drake 1920-21 10-8 (5-8) --
Drake 1921-22 14-4 (12-4) --
Drake 1922-23 10-6 (10-6) --
Drake 1923-24 9-9 (8-8) --
Drake 1924-25 4-12 (4-12) --
Drake 1925-26 9-9 (7-9) --
Drake 1926-27 8-10 (7-7) --
Drake 1927-28 7-13 (7-11) --
Drake 1928-29 6-13 (3-4) --
Drake 1929-30 10-9 (4-4) --
Drake 1930-31 4-15 (2-6) --
Drake 1931-32 2-17 (2-6) --
Drake 1932-33 4-12 (2-8) --
Drake 1933-34 6-12 (4-6) --
Drake 1934-35 14-11 (8-4) --
Drake 1935-36 16-12 (8-4) DOT, Second Round
Drake 1936-37 13-10 (7-5) --
Drake 1937-38 14-6 (10-4) NICT, First Round
Drake 1938-39 14-7 (11-3) NICT, First Round
Drake 1939-40 13-12 (7-5) --
Drake 1940-41 9-11 (6-6) --
Drake 1941-42 2-13 (1-9) --
Drake 1942-43 8-9 (3-7) --
Drake 1943-44 7-13 (N/A) --
Drake 1944-45 11-13 (N/A) --
Drake 1945-46 10-16 (5-7) --
Drake 1946-47 18-11 (8-4) --
Drake 1947-48 14-12 (5-5) --
Drake 1948-49 13-13 (4-6) --
Drake 1949-50 14-12 (5-7) --
Drake 1950-51 11-14 (4-10) --
Drake 1951-52 13-12 (N/A) --
Drake 1952-53 13-12 (N/A) --
Drake 1953-54 7-16 (N/A) --
Drake 1954-55 9-12 (N/A) --
Drake 1955-56 10-14 (N/A) --
Drake 1956-57 8-16 (4-10) --
Drake 1957-58 13-12 (7-7) --
Drake 1958-59 9-15 (4-10) --
Drake 1959-60 11-14 (4-10) --
Drake 1960-61 19-7 (7-5) --
Drake 1961-62 16-8 (6-6) --
Drake 1962-63 11-14 (3-9) --
Drake 1963-64 21-7 (10-2) NIT, Quarterfinal
Drake 1964-65 13-12 (6-8) --
Drake 1965-66 15-10 (6-8) --
Drake 1966-67 9-16 (4-10) --
Drake 1967-68 18-8 (9-7) --
Drake 1968-69 26-5 (13-3) NCAA, Third Place
Drake 1969-70 22-7 (14-2) NCAA, Elite Eight
Drake 1970-71 21-8 (9-5) NCAA, Elite Eight
Drake 1971-72 7-19 (2-12) --
Drake 1972-73 14-12 (5-9) --
Drake 1973-74 13-13 (3-9) --
Drake 1974-75 19-10 (9-5) NCIT, Champions
Drake 1975-76 8-19 (3-9) --
Drake 1976-77 10-17 (5-7) --
Drake 1977-78 6-22 (2-14) --
Drake 1978-79 15-12 (8-8) --
Drake 1979-80 15-12 (6-10) --
Drake 1980-81 18-11 (10-6) NIT, First Round
Drake 1981-82 12-15 (7-9) --
Drake 1982-83 3-15 (9-9) --
Drake 1983-84 8-20 (4-12) --
Drake 1984-85 12-15 (4-12) --
Drake 1985-86 19-11 (10-6) NIT, First Round
Drake 1986-87 17-14 (6-8) --
Drake 1987-88 14-14 (5-9) --
Drake 1988-89 12-17 (6-8) --
Drake 1989-90 13-18 (5-9) --
Drake 1990-91 8-21 (4-12) --
Drake 1991-92 6-21 (3-15) --
Drake 1992-93 14-14 (9-9) --
Drake 1993-94 11-16 (6-12) --
Drake 1994-95 12-15 (9-9) --
Drake 1995-96 12-15 (8-10) --
Drake 1996-97 2-26 (0-18) --
Drake 1997-98 3-24 (0-18) --
Drake 1998-99 10-17 (5-13) --
Drake 1999-00 11-18 (4-14) --
Drake 2000-01 12-16 (8-10) --
Drake 2001-02 14-15 (9-9) --
Drake 2002-03 10-20 (5-13) --
Drake 2003-04 12-16 (7-11) --
Drake 2004-05 13-16 (7-11) --
Drake 2005-06 12-19 (5-13) --
Drake 2006-07 17-15 (6-12) --
Drake 2007-08 28-5 (15-3) NCAA, First Round
Drake 2008-09 17-16 (7-11) CIT, First Round
Drake 2009-10 14-19 (7-11) --
Drake 2010-11 13-18 (6-12) --
Total 104 years 1132-1282 (526-778) 12 Postseason bids

Tournament History[]

Game By Game History[]

Date Tournament Round Opponent Score Result
March 12, 1936 District Olympic Tournament First Round North Dakota 49-46 Win
March 14, 1936 District Olympic Tournament Second Round Minnesota 19-36 Loss
March 8, 1938 National Intercollegiate Tournament First Round Murray State 40-47 Loss
March 13, 1939 National Intercollegiate Tournament First Round Oklahoma State 15-28 Loss
March 14, 1964 National Invitational Tournament First Round Pittsburgh 87-82 Win
March 17, 1964 National Invitational Tournament Second Round New Mexico 60-65 Loss
March 10, 1969 NCAA Tournament First Round Bye N/A N/A
March 13, 1969 NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen Texas A&M 81-63 Win
March 15, 1969 NCAA Tournament Elite Eight Colorado State 84-77 Win
March 20, 1969 NCAA Tournament Final Four UCLA 82-85 Loss
March 22, 1969 NCAA Tournament National Third Place Game North Carolina 104-84 Win
March 9, 1970 NCAA Tournament First Round Bye N/A N/A
March 12, 1970 NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen Houston 92-87 Win
March 14, 1970 NCAA Tournament Elite Eight New Mexico State 78-87 Loss
March 15, 1971 NCAA Tournament First Round Bye N/A N/A
March 18, 1971 NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen Notre Dame 79-72 (OT) Win
March 20, 1971 NCAA Tournament Elite Eight Kansas 71-73 Loss
March 13, 1975 National Commissioners Invitational Tournament First Round Southern California 80-70 Win
March 15, 1975 National Commissioners Invitational Tournament Second Round Bowling Green 78-65 Win
March 16, 1975 National Commissioners Invitational Tournament Championship Arizona 83-76 Win
March 11, 1981 National Invitational Tournament First Round Minnesota 77-90 Loss
March 10, 1986 National Invitational Tournament First Round Marquette 59-77 Loss
March 21, 2008 NCAA Tournament First Round Western Kentucky 99-101 (OT) Loss
March 18, 2009 College Insider.com Tournament First Round Idaho 67-69 Loss
Total 12 Seasons Best NCAA Tournament Finish: Final Four (Third)
Best Postseason Tournament Finish: Champions
21 Games 1484-1480 Record: 10-11

National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament History[]

Season Elimination Round Team(s) Defeated Team(s) Lost To
1969 Third Place Texas A&M
Colorado State
North Carolina
UCLA
1970 Elite Eight Houston New Mexico State
1971 Elite Eight Notre Dame Kansas
2008 First Round - Western Kentucky
Total 4 Appearances Best Finish: Final Four (Third) Record: 5-4

National Invitational Tournament (NIT) History[]

Season Elimination Round Team(s) Defeated Team(s) Lost To
1964 Second Round Pittsburgh New Mexico
1981 First Round - Minnesota
1986 First Round - Marquette
Total 3 Appearances Best Finish: Second Round Record: 1-3

District Olympic Tournament (DOT) History[]

Season Elimination Round Team(s) Defeated Team(s) Lost To
1936 Second Round North Dakota Minnesota
Total 1 Appearance Best Finish: Second Round Record: 1-1

National Intercollegiate Tournament (NICT) History[]

Season Elimination Round Team(s) Defeated Team(s) Lost To
1938 First Round - Murray State
1939 First Round - Oklahoma State
Total 2 Appearances Best Finish: First Round Record: 0-2

National Commissioners Invitational Tournament (NCIT) History[]

Season Elimination Round Team(s) Defeated Team(s) Lost To
1975 Champions Southern California
Bowling Green
Arizona
-
Total 1 Appearance Best Finish: Champions Record: 3-0

CollegeInsider.com Tournament (CIT) History[]

Season Elimination Round Team(s) Defeated Team(s) Lost To
2009 First Round - Idaho
Total 1 Appearance Best Finish: First Round Record: 0-1

Notes and references[]

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