Dark Days (1987-2003)
From 1987 to 2003, Drake did not have a winning season in men's basketball. It was a dreary time in the storied program's history. The stretch included a dismal 2-26 season in 1996-97 and a dreadful 3-24 season in 1997-98. The Bulldogs went through four coaches, none of whom finished with a winning coaching record at Drake.
The 2001-02 season showed a glimmer of hope after starting out on the wrong note. Drake would suspend four players at winter semester break due to their not abiding by the school's 2.0 GPA rule (NCAA requires 1.8). The Bulldogs almost responded by pulling off the unthinkable winning season. Drake entered the conference tournament with a 14-14 record; but fell to Illinois State 63-64 on a buzzer beating shot, ending the season 14-15.
The next season (2002–03) Drake would finish 10-20, leading to the dismissal of head coach Kurt Kanaskie at seasons end.
Read more about this topic: Drake Bulldogs Men's Basketball
Famous quotes containing the words dark and/or days:
“At last the gathered show lets down as white
As may be in dark woods, and with a song
It shall not make again all winter long
Of hissing on the yet uncovered ground,”
—Robert Frost (1874–1963)
“Are not the days of my life few? Let me alone, that I may find a little comfort before I go, never to return, to the land of gloom and deep darkness, the land of gloom and chaos, where light is like darkness.”
—Bible: Hebrew, Job 10:20.