Drake head coach Ben McCollum was feeling the nerves before the Wildcat Classic game against Kansas State. His team, featuring four starters from his former Division II team, was facing a big challenge in downtown Kansas City. Star point guard Bennett Stirtz and forward Isaiah Jackson were experiencing the thrill of playing in a high-stakes game in a major arena for the first time. McCollum knew he needed to motivate his players to block out the distractions and focus on the task at hand.
Drawing on a speech he had given before a previous national title game, McCollum urged his players to imagine a balance beam and to focus on putting one foot in front of the other, regardless of the distractions around them. The Bulldogs responded with a thrilling overtime victory, with Stirtz hitting the game-winning shot with just 3.4 seconds left on the clock.
The Bulldogs have surprised everyone with their strong start to the season, including three wins over high-major programs. McCollum’s success at Drake was not unexpected, given his track record of winning championships at Northwest Missouri State. His players have bought into his system and trust in his leadership to guide them to victory.
McCollum’s ability to recruit players from his former team has been crucial to building a strong lineup at Drake. Stirtz, Jackson, and Abreu all followed him to the Division I level, eager for the opportunity to compete at a higher level. The addition of shooter Mitch Mascari provided the final piece to the puzzle, giving the Bulldogs a well-rounded lineup capable of taking on any opponent.
Despite facing some challenges with a lack of depth, the Bulldogs have excelled on both ends of the court. Their offensive strategy focuses on creating quality shots and moving the ball effectively, while their defense is disciplined and focused on minimizing mistakes. The team’s rebounding prowess, despite lacking height in the rotation, has been particularly impressive.
McCollum’s coaching philosophy emphasizes responding to failure and developing a resilient mindset in his players. The Bulldogs showed their resilience in the face of adversity against Kansas State, proving that they have what it takes to compete at the highest level. With Stirtz leading the way, the Bulldogs have the potential to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament and continue their surprising success in the Division I ranks.
In a season full of unexpected victories and thrilling moments, the Bulldogs have emerged as a team to watch in college basketball. With McCollum at the helm and a talented roster of players, Drake is poised to continue defying expectations and making a name for themselves on the national stage.
