Drake “Bearcats” 2024-2025

[NWFanatic]

12-1 Drake loses on the road 74-70 to 9-4 U of ILL Chicago. Turnovers and poor foul shooting for Drake and lights out 3 pt(6/7) and FT(11/14)for UIC in last 10 minutes or so did them in despite 30 pts from Bennett.

[ZubCat81]

12-1 Drake loses on the road 74-70 to 9-4 U of ILL Chicago. Turnovers and poor foul shooting for Drake and lights out 3 pt(6/7) and FT(11/14)for UIC in last 10 minutes or so did them in despite 30 pts from Bennett.

Drake was up 10 pts with just under 14 minutes to play. UIC got hot with 67% shooting the 2nd half. UIC only missed 3 shots the rest of the game at that point. Drake went cold after their big lead, especially with 3-pt attempts. Mac said they came out and just didn't seem ready to play today. Sometimes a loss can be just what the doctor ordered to turn things around.

[NWFanatic]

https://www.drakenation.com/Attachment12.aspx
good read

[Stanger86]

Totally agree. Mac and family is just too big a part of his life and he was chasing the strong possibilities of Drake opening up certainly at least the year prior. He had already been in contact with them. DeVries was destined to move on. Maybe considering the possibilities of Iowa or Iowa State opening up down the road, Mac could easily find that appealing. But right now, I think he certainly feels a strong connection to the Drake program ... no question, with the A.D. who led the charge to bring McCollum to Drake. I love him at Drake. I'd like to think what Kryzewski built at Duke, Mac could easily find himself determined to build the same at Drake. Mac is a unique coach with a personality that connects with players. Des Moines is a beautiful city. Anxious to see them embrace Drake basketball just like they did when Maury John was coaching them into the NCAA Tournament and pushed John Wooden's UCLA Bruins and Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) in the semi-finals in 1969. Lost 85-82 ... with more than a little help from refs. Back in those days the NCAA played for third place and Drake demolished North Carolina 104-84. I think Drake finished 26-5 that season. Maury John took Drake to the following two NCAA Tournaments and ran deep both times. Maury John hired by Iowa State after the 1971 season after over 12 or 13 seasons at Drake. I believe he died after his first season at Iowa State.

Again, Mac is a strong home and family guy ... I don't see him moving across state lines. Definitely, NOT Nebraska. Please, not that.

Why I see a potential difference: He was scared that the culture he built in Maryville wouldn't travel. But what he's done this year is still based mostly on that NWMSU culture. Those guys are all or mostly gone next year, so it will be a clean slate probably no matter where he is at. I think too programs might think that if they don't get him now, they might never get him to leave so they may pony up the money and essentially overpay to get him.

I do think it has to be the right place. He builds on a slow burn. He is a slow cooker, not a microwave. So if a school puts undue expectations on him, it could end poorly. So there's definitely a risk. That's definitely a point in favor of him staying longer.

[CatFan88]

Can a team led by Division II transfers become college hoops’ most dangerous mid-major?
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/602...lum-transfers/

[ZubCat81]

Can a team led by Division II transfers become college hoops’ most dangerous mid-major?
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/602...lum-transfers/

CatFan88 ... anyway you could copy and paste that article from the NYTimes?

[Alfred33]

https://www.drakenation.com/Attachment12.aspx
good read

CatFan88 ... anyway you could copy and paste that article from the NYTimes?

I believe it’s the same article that NWFanatic posted from Drake Nation a few posts ago. Someone on that board was able to capture it without the paywall.

[DapperDan]

Iowa, Iowa State, Creighton, Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, Kansas State, Wichita State

These all would represent a clear step up the coaching ladder (in varying degrees), more dollar signs, and the ability to keep your recruiting base nearby where you absolutely can dominate.

I will say, I don't know how soon one of these will come calling, but I think the delay in leaving Northwest had more to do with the previous schools not pulling the trigger more than it did a hesitance to move because he was waiting for the Drake job. With the money he'd likely be making, he can keep a family home in Des Moines just fine.

Minnesota is right up the road and expect they will be in the market soon being the Ben Johnson experiment hasn’t worked out too good

[Purple Mav Man]

Minnesota is right up the road and expect they will be in the market soon being the Ben Johnson experiment hasn’t worked out too good

Almost any coach will fail at MN. The barn is just that…a barn with baskets in it. One of the worst jobs in the B10 and maybe bottom 10 in the P4.

[DapperDan]

Almost any coach will fail at MN. The barn is just that…a barn with baskets in it. One of the worst jobs in the B10 and maybe bottom 10 in the P4.

True. Far past time they get beyond the nostalgia of Williams Arena and build a modern venue. Even the ultimate homer Sid said it was a dump and hindrance to recruiting.

[NWFanatic]

Murray St @ Drake 3:00 pm 01/05 on espn2

[Purple Mav Man]

I’ve got Drake at -9.5

[NWFanatic]

Drake loses 66-59. Jackson sat out the game with an ankle injury and they missed his passing, rebounding and defense. Isaiah Howard had a breakout game but Manuawu and Combs played poorly

[Purple Mav Man]

I’ve got Drake at -9.5

I should have just stuck with the under. Dang 😳

[Stanger86]

Almost any coach will fail at MN. The barn is just that…a barn with baskets in it. One of the worst jobs in the B10 and maybe bottom 10 in the P4.

I think it absolutely takes a unique coach to lead and recruit to Minnesota. I thought Tim Miles would've been perfect for the job years ago (might be my Mustang bias though), and I think McCollum is in that category as well. I don't know that McCollum would consider the job though. Perhaps, but it feels unlikely.