Bulldogs

Drake Bulldogs
General Information
NCAA Division: Division I
Conference:Â Missouri Valley (1956-present)
Past Conferences:Â Independent
City: Des Moines, Iowa
Arena:Â Knapp Center
Championships
- National Championships: None
- Conference Titles: 1 (2008)
- Conference Regular Season Titles: 9 (1935, 1936, 1939, 1964, 1969, 1970, 1971, 2008, 2019)
- NCAA Tournaments: Â 5 (1969, 1970, 1971, 2008, 2021)
All-time Records
Points Scored
- Reed Timmer: 2,000
- Josh Young: 1,789
- Red Murrell: 1,657
Rebounds
- Melvin Mathis: 853
- Jonathan Cox: 818
- Sam Roark: 792
Assists
- Roman Penn: 435
- Glenn Martin: 384
- Lonnie Randolph: 383
Last-Season Standings
The 2021-2022 NCAAB Season saw the Drake Bulldogs men’s basketball team put forth a solid performance, finishing 2nd in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) with a conference record of 13-5 and an overall record of 24-9. Their strong showing earned them an appearance in the NIT, reflecting their progress and determination throughout the season.
Led by head coach Darian DeVries, the Bulldogs showcased a well-rounded and efficient offense. Top basketball players like Joseph Yesufu, Roman Penn, and Tremell Murphy were instrumental in the team’s success. Yesufu emerged as the team’s leading scorer, averaging 16.7 points per game, while Penn contributed significantly as a playmaker, with 6.0 assists per game. Murphy provided crucial rebounds and defensive presence, averaging 7.5 rebounds per contest.
Throughout the season, the Drake Bulldogs standings demonstrated their ability to compete with the best teams in the MVC, pulling off some impressive victories against conference rivals. Their consistency in executing their game plan and adapting to their opponents’ strategies allowed them to maintain a high ranking within the conference. In the end, the 2021-2022 season marked a significant step forward for the Drake Bulldogs, as they continued to build a strong foundation for future success.
Before Betting on Drake Bulldogs, Check Out These Tips:
Home-Court Advantage:
Research the Bulldogs’ home and away records. Teams often perform better on their home court, so this could be a crucial factor in predicting the outcome of a game.
Evaluate Matchups:
Look at how the Bulldogs match up against their opponents, considering factors such as team styles, strengths, and weaknesses. A favorable matchup could increase their chances of winning.
Analyze Recent Performance:
Take into account the team’s recent form, including their win-loss record, point differential, and overall performance in their last five to ten games. This will give you an idea of their current momentum and ability to compete.
Betting Trends and Odds:
Review recent betting trends, odds, and public sentiment. These factors can provide valuable insight into potential outcomes and help you determine if the odds are in your favor. Remember that betting on sports involves inherent risk, and nothing is guaranteed, so always bet responsibly.
Drake Bulldogs Basketball History
Overall
The Drake Bulldogs are a Division I team based in Des Moines, Iowa. Drake currently competes in the Missouri Valley Conference and is coached by Darian DeVries.
Drake has been to the NCAA Tournament five times, most recently in 2020-21, when it won 26 games (tied for second-most in school history). The 11th-seeded Bulldogs beat Wichita State 53-52 in the First Four for their first tournament victory in 50 years, before losing in the first round to No. 6 USC.
At one point in their history, postseason success was a regularity for the Bulldogs. In 1968-69, the Bulldogs won the MVC outright under coach Maury John and advanced to the Final Four, where they lost to UCLA. The Bruins, led by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, went on to win the national championship, while Drake finished third following a consolation win over North Carolina.
Drake returned to the Elite Eight in both the next two seasons. In 1970, the Bulldogs once again won the MVC title and earned a first-round bye in the NCAA Tournament. Drake beat Houston in the Sweet 16 but lost to New Mexico State in the Midwest Regional Final. In 1971, following their third straight conference championship, the Bulldogs beat Notre Dame in the Midwest Regional Semifinal before falling to Kansas in the Elite Eight.
Coach Maury John Dies of Cancer
Following that season, John left Drake —where he won 243 games over 13 seasons— to coach at Iowa State. However, John spent only three seasons at Iowa State, as he died of cancer in 1974 at the age of 55.
Drake struggled to replicate the success it had under John. The Bulldogs made the National Invitational Tournament in 1981 and 1986 but didn’t appear again in the Big Dance until 2008. During that stretch, the Bulldogs went 19 consecutive seasons without posting a winning record.
In 2008, Drake swept the MVC regular season and tournament titles to snap their 37-year NCAA Tournament drought. The Bulldogs earned a No. 5 seed, but Western Kentucky overcame the odds to beat them 101-99 in overtime on a last-second heave by Ty Rodgers. Following that season, the school underwent another coaching change, as Keno Davis left for Providence.
DeVries, a former Creighton assistant, has been Drake’s coach since the 2018-19 campaign. He averaged over 23 wins over his first four seasons and had Drake ranked atop the MVC preseason poll for 2022-23. His son, Tucker, was named the preseason MVC Player of the Year entering his sophomore year.