In a stunning upset that’s left college basketball fans reeling, the 11-seed Drake University Bulldogs have pulled off the impossible, taking down the fifth-seed University of Missouri Tigers in a thrilling matchup. This monumental upset has sent shockwaves throughout the NCAA tournament, and for Drake head coach Darian Devonshire, it’s a victory that’s been a long time coming. As he put it, his team’s performance was precisely what he had expected from the players he’s been working with all season. But for the rest of the nation, it’s a Cinderella story for the ages – a testament to the power of determination, hard work, and a little bit of magic.
The Unlikely Upset
Drake’s Dominant Performance
The Bulldogs, who entered the game as a 5½-point underdog at ESPN BET, were physically dominant on the boards. Junior guard Bennett Stirtz, one of four Drake starters who played Division II basketball last season, poured in 21 points. Tavion Banks had 15 points and nine rebounds as Drake upset Missouri in the NCAA tournament.
The program can reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1971 with a second-round win against No. 3 seed Texas Tech on Saturday. It’s the latest chapter in McCollum’s storybook debut season at Drake, a small school from Des Moines, Iowa, with an enrollment of 4,774.
Coach McCollum’s Vision
Coach Ben McCollum couldn’t have quite seen all of this coming 365 days ago. In fact, at this time last year, McCollum was still several weeks away from leaving Division II Northwest Missouri State for the Bulldogs’ top job. But nights such as Thursday were most certainly part of the vision when McCollum landed at Drake last April 1.
“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t expect this,” McCollum said late Thursday night after Drake secured its first NCAA tournament win since 2021. “… I expected exactly this. I expected [my players] to compete. I brought winners with me. That’s what I brought. I guess my superpower is finding winners, finding tough kids and believing in them. So I kind of expected this. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t.”
McCollum credited the poise of Stirtz, who kicked off the closing run with a step-back jumper, for helping steward the Bulldogs through the final minutes. “He’s been in a lot of big games,” McCollum said. “Obviously, just from a personality perspective, that’s probably why we match so well. I’m a little more intense, we’ll use. Some people would call it crazy. He’s very calm. We just kind of fit each other when he’s on the floor.”
The Road to Victory
In a clash of styles, Drake pulled the high-scoring, up-tempo Tigers into a slugfest en route to a 30-23 halftime advantage. That lead grew as large as 15 points after halftime before Missouri cut the gap to 52-51 with 4:28 left on the back of a 12-2 scoring run.
A 15-6 response from the Bulldogs over the final 4:02 was enough to close out the victory. Tavion Banks, a junior college transfer who earned MVC Sixth Man of the Year honors and charged Drake’s rebounding performance Thursday, scored seven of his 15 points over that stretch.
The Bulldogs held Missouri to its lowest first-half point total of the season, outscored the Tigers 38-22 in the paint, and held off a late charge to land their 31st win of the season through a performance McCollum said he believed encapsulated the program transformation he has achieved in less than a year.
“For our guys, I think we just fought,” McCollum said. “That’s kind of what we have to do is just continue to fight and continue to grind and continue to compete. We’ve got guys that want to do that, that want it hard. They were able to do it.”
A Clash of Styles
In a clash of styles, Drake pulled the high-scoring, up-tempo Tigers into a slugfest en route to a 30-23 halftime advantage. That lead grew as large as 15 points after halftime before Missouri cut the gap to 52-51 with 4:28 left on the back of a 12-2 scoring run.
A 15-6 response from the Bulldogs over the final 4:02 was enough to close out the victory. Tavion Banks, a junior college transfer who earned MVC Sixth Man of the Year honors and charged Drake’s rebounding performance Thursday, scored seven of his 15 points over that stretch.
Halftime Advantage
The Bulldogs, who entered the game as a 5½-point underdog at ESPN BET, were physically dominant on the boards. Junior guard Bennett Stirtz, one of four Drake starters who played Division II basketball last season, poured in 21 points.
Missouri’s high-scoring, up-tempo offense struggled to find its footing against Drake’s patient, slow-tempo style. The program can reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1971 with a second-round win against No. 3 seed Texas Tech on Saturday.
Missouri’s Late Surge
Missouri (22-12) grinded, too, reducing that 15-point deficit to one down the stretch. But the Tigers had expended too much energy, and Drake scored the next six points to take back control and put the game away.
Caleb Grill finished with 14 points to lead the Tigers. Tamar Bates had 10 before fouling out. “It’s a memorable season for our guys, a great accomplishment to say the least, but it was cut short,” Missouri coach Dennis Gates said. “It’s loser goes home, and we didn’t do enough to come away with a win.”
Implications and Analysis
Drake’s historic win marked the program’s first NCAA tournament victory since 2021 and its chance to reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1971.
Missouri’s struggles in the first half and inability to overcome the deficit left the team with a disappointing end to its season.
Coach McCollum’s Impact
First-year coach Ben McCollum’s leadership and vision have transformed the Drake program in less than a year. The coach credited the poise of Stirtz, who kicked off the closing run with a step-back jumper, for helping steward the Bulldogs through the final minutes.
“He’s been in a lot of big games,” McCollum said. “Obviously, just from a personality perspective, that’s probably why we match so well. I’m a little more intense, we’ll use. Some people would call it crazy. He’s very calm. We just kind of fit each other when he’s on the floor.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, the article highlights the remarkable upset victory of Drake University’s 11-seed basketball team over the University of Missouri’s 6-seed team, as predicted by Drake’s coach. The team’s stunning performance was a testament to their determination, skill, and teamwork. The win not only marked a significant milestone for the team but also sent a strong message to the college basketball community, showcasing the potential for underdog teams to make a lasting impression.
The significance of this topic lies in the fact that it challenges traditional notions of power dynamics in college basketball. The victory serves as a reminder that even the most unlikely teams can achieve greatness with the right mindset and strategy. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of believing in oneself and one’s abilities, regardless of external expectations. As the team’s coach expected this outcome, it also underscores the value of confidence and trust in one’s abilities.
As the season progresses, this victory will undoubtedly serve as a turning point for the Drake University team. It will likely boost their morale, and they will likely continue to surprise and impress fans with their performance. For the University of Missouri, it will be an opportunity to reassess their strategy and work on areas of improvement. Ultimately, this game will remain a memorable moment in college basketball history, a testament to the power of underdog spirit and the unpredictability of the game.