Drake Basketball

[Remo Gaggi]

I know many of you don't give a crap about Drake basketball, and that's fine. But I've been to most of their games this season and honestly, they are pretty damn entertaining. A team with a new coach and cobbled together roster that lost their best player halfway thru the season is now in first place in the Valley with a few games left before the tournament. I don't know where they will wind up, but should get a NIT bid at worst. There is one home game left, next Wednesday, the 27th. The tickets are inexpensive, the beer is cold and they have plenty of chunky cheerleaders (if that's your thing). Check them out, I think DeVries and Woodley are going to get this program to the point where they are very competitive.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Honestly, it's easier to root for them now that they're not going to be on our schedule.

 

[Knownothing]

I root for Drake. I am friends with their womens coach and she is fantastic. I also grew up watching Lewis Loyd, Terry Youngbower, and Melvin Mathis. We could get tickets for like 2 bucks at Vets. So I root for them all the time except when they play ISU.

They got the perfect coach for them. He won't bail like Keno (I don't blame Keno, Ton of money he took). It's a perfect time for the new coach with the Valley being way down and Loyola of Chicago not playing up to expectations. Go Bulldogs.

 

[JP4CY]

I believe loser of MVC tourney is guaranteed an NIT bid.
If they lose semi finals they are definitely an NIT bubble at best.

 

[coyoteclone]

They are doing well playing their level of competition......we are not.

 

[ScottyP]

I keep thinking about what this team would be like if they still had Nick Norton healthy. The MVC looks a little down this year, but still a heck of a job by Darien. To put together this team on short notice and make them competitive is impressive.

 

[IASTATE07]

I root for Drake. I am friends with their womens coach and she is fantastic. I also grew up watching Lewis Loyd, Terry Youngbower, and Melvin Mathis. We could get tickets for like 2 bucks at Vets. So I root for them all the time except when they play ISU.

They got the perfect coach for them. He won't bail like Keno (I don't blame Keno, Ton of money he took). It's a perfect time for the new coach with the Valley being way down and Loyola of Chicago not playing up to expectations. Go Bulldogs.

Terry Youngbauer is a great guy. He was at several camps that I attended growing up.

 

[Cyclonepride]

They are doing well playing their level of competition......we are not.

Glad you could work that in.

 

[Knownothing]

Terry Youngbauer is a great guy. He was at several camps that I attended growing up.

Yeah he was basically my hero growing up watching Drake. I thought he was the next Larry Bird. I had no idea how to evaluate talent back then

 

[Gunnerclone]

Nothing counts in that conference anymore. It’s like winning the MEAC.

 

[JD720]

I believe loser of MVC tourney is guaranteed an NIT bid.
If they lose semi finals they are definitely an NIT bubble at best.

Unless it's changed recently, I think it's the regular season champ that is guaranteed the NIT if they don't make the tournament.

 

[Sigmapolis]

I like OOC teams we played (and defeated) to do well.

D+!

 

[JP4CY]

Unless it's changed recently, I think it's the regular season champ that is guaranteed the NIT if they don't make the tournament.

Maybe that's the case then. I knew there was some tie in. You are probably right.

 

[Knownothing]

Nothing counts in that conference anymore. It’s like winning the MEAC.

Yeah they have not had a final four team since April of last year. So good point.

 

[1UNI2ISU]

Nothing counts in that conference anymore. It’s like winning the MEAC.

Yeah a conference that is always ranked between 8th and 12th (even without Wichita and Creighton) is exactly the same as the worst conference in the country.

The Valley tournament is going to be a blast. There are probably 7 teams that have a shot at winning it (everybody but Valpo, Indiana State and Evansville). Going to be a crazy 4 days.

 

[HFCS]

Yeah they have not had a final four team since April of last year. So good point.

You do know some things.

 

[capitalcityguy]

Unless it's changed recently, I think it's the regular season champ that is guaranteed the NIT if they don't make the tournament.

Yes. If the reg season champ does NOT win the Arch Madness conference tournament, they are guaranteed an NIT bid.

 

[1UNI2ISU]

We'll see if UNI can't help them out and beat Missouri State tonight. UNI has been much, much better the last few weeks after that disaster of November/December.

 

[JP4CY]

Yes. If the reg season champ does NOT win the Arch Madness conference tournament, they are guaranteed an NIT bid.

In their case then, they would probably be a lower seed and play on the road. With how well he's got them gelling though, I wouldn't put anything past what they're capable of right now.

 

[nfrine]

If someone would have asked at the first of the season which men's D1 team in Iowa would have the most victories, Drake would not have been my answer. Right now, Drake is the one. They have done a great job.