Drake Basketball: 2022-23 season preview and outlook for the Bulldogs

Drake Basketball has one mission and one goal. This veteran team has one thing in mind. There is one standard to be met. They must win the Missouri Valley Conference title and they have all the ingredients to accomplish that task.

During coach Darian DeVries’ first four seasons in Des Moines, the Bulldogs have won 95 games and tied for one regular season championship. They’ve finished second twice. DeVries says his team wants something better.

“We have a good veteran group that’s won a lot of games before,” said DeVries. “But these last couple of years we’ve come up a little short. We’re determined to do better.”

In the highly competitive Missouri Valley Conference DeVries says it’s the little things that allow somebody to finish first or in the middle of the pack.

Drake welcomes back four, double-digit scorers and five players that started multiple games for last season’s 25-11 team. The Bulldogs played in the College Basketball Invitational defeating Purdue-Fort Wayne and dropping a one-point decision to UNC Wilmington.

DeVries has compiled a .704 winning percentage and has the type of team that could capture the Valley crown and the Arch Madness trophy. They are balanced, have star power, depth, outstanding guard play, and a coach that knows how to put his players in the right position to succeed.

Guard Garrett Sturtz says DeVries knows the strengths and weaknesses of all 15 players and knows how and when to put those players in situations where they can prosper.

Drake players and coaches constantly talk about continuity and deep relationships and the great respect they have for each other. Two players, Sturtz and D.J. Wilkins return for their fifth seasons and fellow guard Roman Penn is back for his fourth in Des Moines and fifth overall.

They came back to win a title.