# 2024–25 Drake Bulldogs men's basketball team

The 2024–25 Drake Bulldogs men's basketball team represents Drake University in the 2024–25 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Bulldogs, led by first-year head coach Ben McCollum, play their home games at the Knapp Center in Des Moines, Iowa as members of the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC). It is the first season since 2018–19 that the Bulldogs will play without Darian DeVries as head coach. They finished the regular season 27–3, 17–3 in MVC play to finish in first place and clinched Drake's first outright conference title since the 2007–08 season. They entered the MVC tournament as the No. 1 seed and defeated Southern Illinois in the quarterfinals round and Belmont in the semifinals, and finally Bradley in the championship game, to secure an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament for the third straight season.

## Previous season

The Bulldogs finished the 2023–24 season 28–7, 16–4 in MVC play to finish in second place. In the MVC tournament, they defeated Evansville, Bradley, and Indiana State to win the tournament championship. As a result, they received the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament as the No. 10 seed in the West region, where they narrowly lost to Washington State in the first round.
On March 24, 2024, it was announced that head coach Darian DeVries was leaving the school to take the head coaching job at West Virginia. Subsequently, most of the roster entered the transfer portal. On April 1, the school named Division II Northwest Missouri State head coach Ben McCollum as the team's new head coach.

## Offseason
### Departures

| Name | Number | Pos. | Height | Weight | Year | Hometown | Reason for departure |
| Kyron Gibson | 0 | G | 6'1" | 198 | Sr | Alexandria, LA | Graduated |
| Kevin Overton | 1 | G | 6'5" | 180 | Fr | Oklahoma City, OK | Transferred to Texas Tech |
| Brashon Hall | 2 | G | 6'1" | 185 | RS So | Roswell, GA | Transferred to Fairleigh Dickinson |
| Colby Garland | 3 | G | 6'1" | 183 | Fr | Magnolia, AR | Transferred to Longwood |
| Conor Enright | 4 | G | 6'0" | 180 | RS So | Mundelein, IL | Transferred to DePaul |
| Patrick Bath | 9 | F | 6'9" | 210 | Fr | Plymouth, MN | Transferred to North Dakota State |
| Atin Wright | 10 | G | 6'1" | 185 | Jr | Hawthorne, CA | Transferred to North Texas |
| Bennett Fried | 11 | F | 6'7" | 170 | Fr | La Crosse, WI | Transferred to Augustana (SD) |
| Tucker DeVries | 12 | G/F | 6'7" | 210 | Jr | Waukee, IA | Transferred to West Virginia |
| Carlos Rosario | 13 | F | 6'7" | 180 | RS So | Santo Domingo, D.R. | Transferred to Oral Roberts |
| Chico Johnson | 20 | G | 6'3" | 180 | Fr | Toledo, OH | Transferred to USC Upstate |
| Elijah Price | 22 | F | 6'9" | 195 | Fr | Long Beach, CA | Transferred to Fresno State |
| Ethan Roberts | 23 | G | 6'5" | 195 | So | Arlington Heights, IL | Transferred to Penn |
| Eric Northweather | 35 | F/C | 6'10" | 225 | Jr | Jefferson City, MO | Left Program |
| Darnell Brodie | 51 | C | 6'10" | 275 | GS | Newark, NJ | Graduated |

### Incoming transfers

| Name | Number | Pos. | Height | Weight | Year | Hometown | Previous School |
| Cam Manyawu | 3 | F | 6'8" | 230 | So | Kansas City, MO | Transferred from Wyoming |
| Isaiah Jackson | 4 | G | 6'3" | 180 | GS | Independence, MO | Transferred from NW Missouri State |
| Eli Shetlar | 10 | G | 6'6" | 190 | So | Wichita, KS | Transferred from Indiana State |
| Kael Combs | 11 | G | 6'4" | 190 | So | Nixa, MO | Transferred from Wyoming |
| Bennett Stirtz | 14 | G | 6'4" | 180 | Jr | Liberty, MO | Transferred from NW Missouri State |
| Mitch Mascari | 22 | G | 6'5" | 200 | GS | Geneva, IL | Transferred from NW Missouri State |
| Daniel Abreu | 54 | F | 6'6" | 220 | GS | Springfield, MO | Transferred from NW Missouri State |

### 2024 recruiting class

College recruiting information :
| Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date |
| Isaia Howard SG | Plattsburg, MO | Plattsburg | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | May 2, 2024 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: ||||||
| Joey Matteoni PF | Overland Park, KS | Blue Valley Northwest | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | Apr 9, 2024 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ||||||
| Tavion Banks SG | Kansas City, MO | NW Florida State College | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | May 3, 2024 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ||||||
| Overall recruiting rankings: 247Sports: 156 ESPN: — ||||||
| Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "2024 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved November 14, 2024. ||||||

## Preseason

The Bulldogs, as the defending Arch Madness champions, were picked to finish fifth in the conference's preseason poll. Forward Cam Manyawu and guard Bennett Stirtz were selected to the Preseason All-MVC third team.

## Schedule and results

| Date time, TV | Rank$^#$ | Opponent$^#$ | Result | Record | High points | High rebounds | High assists | Site (attendance) city, state |
| Regular Season |||||||||
| November 4, 2024* 6:30 pm, ESPN+ | | York (NE) | W 93–41 | 1–0 | 30 – Abreu | 12 – Manyawu | 7 – Stirtz | Knapp Center (2,514) Des Moines, IA |
| November 10, 2024* 1:00 pm, ESPN+ | | Stephen F. Austin | W 66–51 | 2–0 | 26 – Mascari | 5 – Manyawu | 5 – Jackson | Knapp Center (2,627) Des Moines, IA |
| November 16, 2024* 7:00 pm, ESPN+ | | Florida Gulf Coast | W 63–61 | 3–0 | 25 – Stirtz | 7 – Stirtz | 4 – Stirtz | Knapp Center (2,862) Des Moines, IA |
| November 21, 2024* 11:00 am, ESPN2 | | vs. Miami (FL) Shriners Children's Charleston Classic Quarterfinal | W 80–69 | 4–0 | 21 – Stirtz | 10 – Abreu | 6 – Stirtz | TD Arena (1,818) Charleston, SC |
| November 22, 2024* 10:30 am, ESPN2 | | vs. Florida Atlantic Shriners Children's Charleston Classic Semifinal | W 75–63 | 5–0 | 22 – Mascari | 10 – Jackson | 6 – Stirtz | TD Arena (1,936) Charleston, SC |
| November 24, 2024* 7:30 pm, ESPN | | vs. Vanderbilt Shriners Children's Charleston Classic Final | W 81–70 | 6–0 | 18 – Manyawu | 11 – Manyawu | 11 – Stirtz | TD Arena (2,119) Charleston, SC |
| November 30, 2024* 5:00 pm, ESPN+ | | Georgia Southern | W 61–47 | 7–0 | 15 – Abreu | 7 – Abreu | 6 – Stirtz | Knapp Center (3,061) Des Moines, IA |
| December 5, 2024 7:00 pm, ESPN+ | | at Valparaiso | W 66–60 | 8–0 (1–0) | 29 – Stirtz | 10 – Manyawu | 4 – Stirtz | Athletics-Recreation Center (1,488) Valparaiso, IN |
| December 12, 2024* 7:30 pm, ESPN+ | | St. Ambrose | W 90–35 | 9–0 | 15 – Banks | 7 – Manyawu | 7 – Stirtz | Knapp Center (4,919) Des Moines, IA |
| December 17, 2024* 7:00 pm, ESPN+ | | vs. Kansas State Wildcat Classic | W 73–70 $^{OT}$ | 10–0 | 25 – Mascari | 8 – Jackson | 8 – Jackson | T-Mobile Center (9,210) Kansas City, MO |
| December 21, 2024* 5:00 pm, MC22/ESPN+ | | Green Bay | W 72–62 | 11–0 | 21 – Jackson | 12 – Jackson | 6 – Stirtz | Knapp Center (3,418) Des Moines, IA |
| December 29, 2024 1:00 pm, ESPN+ | | Belmont | W 65–46 | 12–0 (2–0) | 20 – Stirtz | 8 – Jackson | 4 – Stirtz | Knapp Center (5,231) Des Moines, IA |
| January 1, 2025 2:00 pm, ESPN+ | | at UIC | L 70–74 | 12–1 (2–1) | 30 – Stirtz | 12 – Manyawu | 12 – Stirtz | Credit Union 1 Arena (1,200) Chicago, IL |
| January 5, 2025 2:00 pm, ESPN2 | | Murray State | L 59–66 | 12–2 (2–2) | 13 – 2 Tied | 6 – Howard | 4 – Stirtz | Knapp Center (3,807) Des Moines, IA |
| January 8, 2025 6:00 pm, CBSSN | | at Bradley | W 64–57 | 13–2 (3–2) | 19 – Banks | 7 – Banks | 8 – Stirtz | Carver Arena (6,188) Peoria, IL |
| January 11, 2025 5:00 pm, MC22/ESPN+ | | Evansville | W 63–40 | 14–2 (4–2) | 16 – Stirtz | 13 – Banks | 6 – Stirtz | Knapp Center (3,930) Des Moines, IA |
| January 15, 2025 8:00 pm, Gray Media/ESPN+ | | Illinois State | W 66–62 | 15–2 (5–2) | 23 – Abreu | 7 – Manyawu | 8 – Stirtz | Knapp Center (3,117) Des Moines, IA |
| January 18, 2025 5:00 pm, ESPNU | | at Indiana State | W 71–53 | 16–2 (6–2) | 19 – Mascari | 6 – Manyawu | 9 – Stirtz | Hulman Center (6,013) Terre Haute, IN |
| January 22, 2025 6:30 pm, MC22/ESPN+ | | Valparaiso | W 81–71 | 17–2 (7–2) | 24 – Stirtz | 5 – 3 Tied | 9 – Stirtz | Knapp Center (3,367) Des Moines, IA |
| January 25, 2025 3:00 pm, ESPN+ | | at Missouri State | W 69–62 $^{OT}$ | 18–2 (8–2) | 18 – Stirtz | 5 – Mascari | 4 – Stirtz | Great Southern Bank Arena (3,210) Springfield, MO |
| January 29, 2025 6:00 pm, Gray Media/ESPN+ | | Northern Iowa Rivalry | W 66–52 | 19–2 (9–2) | 20 – Stirtz | 9 – Manyawu | 4 – Stirtz | Knapp Center (5,464) Des Moines, IA |
| February 1, 2025 1:00 pm, ESPNU | | at Southern Illinois | W 75–65 | 20–2 (10–2) | 30 – Stirtz | 5 – Banks | 5 – Stirtz | Banterra Center (4,306) Carbondale, IL |
| February 4, 2025 6:00 pm, ESPN2 | | at Murray State | W 55–45 | 21–2 (11–2) | 23 – Stirtz | 5 – 2 Tied | 4 – Stirtz | CFSB Center (4,586) Murray, KY |
| February 8, 2025 5:00 pm, ESPN+ | | Indiana State | W 85–81 $^{OT}$ | 22–2 (12–2) | 20 – Stirtz | 8 – Abreu | 7 – Stirtz | Knapp Center (4,394) Des Moines, IA |
| February 12, 2025 8:00 pm, Gray Media/ESPN+ | | at Illinois State | W 84–77 | 23–2 (13–2) | 25 – Stirtz | 7 – Stirtz | 6 – Stirtz | CEFCU Arena (4,122) Normal, IL |
| February 16, 2025 1:00 pm, ESPN2 | | Bradley | L 59–61 | 23–3 (13–3) | 16 – Abreu | 6 – Stirtz | 4 – Stirtz | Knapp Center (6,424) Des Moines, IA |
| February 19, 2025 6:30 pm, ESPN+ | | UIC | W 74–57 | 24–3 (14–3) | 25 – Stirtz | 8 – Manyawu | 7 – Stirtz | Knapp Center (3,449) Des Moines, IA |
| February 23, 2025 3:00 pm, ESPN2 | | at Northern Iowa Rivalry | W 64–58 $^{OT}$ | 25–3 (15–3) | 26 – Stirtz | 11 – Manyawu | 2 – Stirtz | McLeod Center (6,652) Cedar Falls, IA |
| February 26, 2025 7:00 pm, ESPN+ | | at Evansville | W 65–61 | 26–3 (16–3) | 19 – Abreu | 5 – 3 Tied | 7 – Stirtz | Ford Center (4,526) Evansville, IN |
| March 2, 2025 2:00 pm, ESPN+ | | Missouri State | W 68–60 $^{OT}$ | 27–3 (17–3) | 23 – Stirtz | 11 – Banks | 3 – Stirtz | Knapp Center (5,122) Des Moines, IA |
| Conference Tournament |||||||||
| March 7, 2025 12:00 pm, Gray Media/ESPN+ | (1) | vs. (8) Southern Illinois Arch Madness Quarterfinal | W 70–54 | 28–3 | 21 – Howard | 11 – Banks | 5 – Stirtz | Enterprise Center (6,005) St. Louis, MO |
| March 8, 2025 2:30 pm, CBSSN | (1) | vs. (4) Belmont Arch Madness Semifinal | W 57–50 | 29–3 | 24 – Stirtz | 7 – Manyawu | 2 – 2 Tied | Enterprise Center (7,779) St. Louis, MO |
| March 9, 2025 1:15 pm, CBS | (1) | vs. (2) Bradley Arch Madness Final | W 63–48 | 30–3 | 24 – Stirtz | 9 – Banks | 4 – Stirtz | Enterprise Center (7,952) St. Louis, MO |
| NCAA tournament |||||||||
| March 20, 2025* 6:35 pm, TruTV | (11 W) | vs. (6 W) No. 23 Missouri First Round | | | | | | Intrust Bank Arena Wichita, KS |
| *Non-conference game. $^#$Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses. W=West. All times are in Central Time. |||||||||
Source

## Rankings

Ranking movements Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking — = Not ranked RV = Received votes :
| | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week |
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | Final |
| AP | — | — | — | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | — | — | — | — | RV | RV | — | RV | RV | RV | RV | |
| Coaches | — | — | — | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | — | — | — | — | RV | RV | — | RV | RV | RV | RV | |