Drake Bulldogs: A New Era in D-II Basketball

For 15 seasons, Ben McCollum led the most successful Division II basketball program in the nation at Northwest Missouri State, boasting an impressive 81.3 winning percentage. His tenure included a remarkable seven-year stretch where his teams went 224-16 (.933) and captured four national titles. The only thing that halted a potential fifth championship was the COVID-19 pandemic, which interrupted a 31-1 season in 2020. During his time, McCollum often pondered how his team would fare against the best in Division I basketball.

Transition to Drake: A New Challenge

Last year, the Des Moines, Iowa-based Drake Bulldogs, a member of the D-I Missouri Valley Conference, hired McCollum to replace Darian DeVries, who left to coach at West Virginia. The Bulldogs had a successful season, winning 28 games, but the departure of DeVries led to a significant roster overhaul. Twelve players transferred out, two graduated, and another seemingly quit basketball altogether. This left McCollum with the daunting task of building an entirely new team.

Building a Competitive Team

Despite the challenges, McCollum’s new roster is proving to be a formidable force. Four of the five starters came with him from Northwest Missouri, players who had previously been overlooked by Division I programs. Additionally, a junior college transfer has joined the squad, along with two freshmen. Out of the nine players who regularly contribute, seven were not in Division I last year, and two transferred in from Wyoming.

The Missouri Valley Conference: A Tough Landscape

The Missouri Valley Conference is known for its competitiveness, with ten different teams reaching the Sweet 16 since 2000, including two Final Four appearances by Wichita State in 2013 and Loyola in 2018. The Bulldogs have already made their mark this season, winning the regular season title by two games and earning a strong case for an NCAA tournament bid, regardless of the outcome in the upcoming conference tournament.

A Magical Journey for McCollum and His Team

At 43 years old, McCollum is experiencing a magical journey with his new team, filled with players who share a belief in their potential. Many of them arrived with little to no Division I experience, including the two Wyoming transfers, Cam Manyawu and Kael Combs, who had a combined total of just 11 career starts. “I didn’t really have any expectations on the season,” McCollum admitted.

Impressive Early Season Performance

The Bulldogs made headlines early in the season during a tournament in Charleston, South Carolina, where they achieved a stunning victory over ACC member Miami, recent Final Four participant Florida Atlantic, and SEC powerhouse Vanderbilt, all by double digits. This impressive performance set the tone for the rest of the season.

Focus on Player Development

For McCollum, player development remains a top priority. His coaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of improving players incrementally, a strategy that has proven successful at Northwest Missouri State. “We want to make players better,” he stated. “We are old school in that regard. It’s a cliché, but it works — get a little bit better each day.”

As the Bulldogs prepare for the conference tournament, they are not just aiming for a title; they are also looking to prove that with hard work and determination, even teams that have been overlooked can rise to the occasion. The Drake Bulldogs are ready to show that they are no joke in the world of D-II basketball.

For more insights on the Drake Bulldogs and their journey, check out the original article.