Location: Des Moines, Iowa | Founded: 1881 | Enrollment: 5,600 | Colors: Blue and White
Coach: Mark Phelps | Home Court: Drake Knapp Center | Capacity: 7,002 Record:
(28-5, 15-3
Missouri Valley)
When Drake's dream season ended at the hands of Western Kentucky in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, the Bulldogs knew they would recover from the heartbreak and look back fondly on all they had accomplished.
They didn't know they'd be doing it without Keno Davis, national coach of the year, peeking from afar.
Davis replaced his father, Tom Davis, and the 36-year old guided Drake to heights last seen decades ago.
Now Drake has to find a way to replace the younger Davis, who agreed on April 15 to become the new boss at Providence College. The Davis family is no stranger to the area, about an hour south of Boston. Tom Davis was once the head coach at Boston College.
"If we want to be able to sustain the kind of success that we have had so far, we have to be a place where those really talented up-and-comers seek us out. That is happening today," said athletic director Sandy Hatfield Clubb in the Des Moines Register. Hatfield Clubb was hired after the succession plan -- Davis to Davis -- was set in place. "Some people I might put on my list of possible replacements have already contacted us."
Davis and his Bulldogs became the story in the MVC and one of the biggest in college basketball. They resurrected basketball at a school where many thought winning was impossible. By earning the school's first NCAA Tournament spot since 1971, the Bulldogs rejuvenated their fans and proved big things can happen at the small school in Iowa.
Drake's ride to this spot was full of fun. Now things get harder. In addition to Davis, Drake must replace seniors Klayton Korver, Leonard Houston and Adam Emmenecker. Emmenecker, the MVC's Player of the Year, will be impossible to replace. His smarts and poise carried the Bulldogs. Korver and Houston are also tough to duplicate, for their talent and experience. Korver gave the Bulldogs a long-range shooter. Houston, overshadowed by Emmenecker, was Drake's best athlete, best defender and best bet to break down the defense with his quickness and leading ability.
Expectations are raised. Drake will be a big game on every team's schedule next season. Without Davis, the task is to recreate the chemistry and unselfish spirit that carried this team.
Copyright (C) 2008 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
He left for a better job, for a better team, in a better conferance to a better city in a better geographical area of the U.S., for more money. Dude is out of the midwest and a 15 minute flight from Boston, no brainer! Unless your from the midwest, you would never hear of the MVC nor attend Drake. Its a school for the kids that didn't get into better public schools and
...(more)
I'm a huge Badger fan, but you're the best story in college basketball this year.
The problem is that you haven't beaten anyone good, but pretty much smoked everyone else... A lot of wins, lots of momentum, but legit? I'm not so sure.
Tommorow at 11:00 Drake will hold a press conference and announce that Mark Phelps is the new Drake head coach. He was an assistant at Arizona State and has a strong reputation for good recruiting skills. I understand why Keno Davis left but am dissapointed to see him go. I hope Mark Phelps can build on the success of last year and keep the winning seasons coming. Des Moines
Hey guys, I'm trying to set up a sim league starting next season, where a simulator plays out the game and gives you realistic scores and stuff, and your Bulldogs are still available! If you are interested or have any questions feel free to e-mail me at dosegorillaz@aim.com.
...(more)
Keno Davis has left Drake for a bigger paycheck but he will never coach a better school than Drake! Ok, maybe he will. I'm just sad to see Coach Davis go. He had such a great year and was on his way to building a powerhouse in the MVC. Now will Drake return to a subpar team for another 37 years? I hope not!
.... I don't know about the rest of you, but for me it still hurts. That game was an instant classic, but losing in that fashion is incredibly tough to take. Still, it was a great season, and I'm really proud of the way those guys represented our University all year long. It was a special run, and even though it came to an end before any of us wanted to, it's ti
...(more)
