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:
“It looked as if
The shore was lucky in being backed by cliff,
The cliff in being backed by continent;
It looked as if a night of dark intent
Was coming, and not only a night, an age.”
—Robert Frost (1874–1963)
“Now during those days he went out to the mountain to pray; and he spent the night in prayer to God.”
—Bible: New Testament, Luke 6:12.