Can Coaching make a difference - Drake Coach Ben McCollum

[️ Fanatic]

When do we start to look at Drake's (impressive) 6-0 start....

Quality wins this past week (KenPom):

(KenPom 76) Miami (Drake)
(KenPom 77) Vanderbilt (Drake)
(KenPom 92) FAU (Drake)
(KenPom 123)High Point (Missouri St)
(KenPom 125)UAB (Illinois St)
(KenPom 137) LaSalle (UIC)
(KenPom 138 ) Wright St (Bradley)
(KenPom 141) Texas St (Bradley)

McCollum 400-91 as a Head Basketball Coach

Ben McCollum put together a 32-7 record in the NCAA Division II Tournament, including four national championships (2017, 2019, 2021, 2022).(Note: 2020 was cancelled or he may have had a 4-peat)

[egib52]

When do we start to look at Drake's (impressive) 6-0 start....

Quality wins this past week (KenPom):

(KenPom 76) Miami (Drake)
(KenPom 77) Vanderbilt (Drake)
(KenPom 92) FAU (Drake)
(KenPom 123)High Point (Missouri St)
(KenPom 125)UAB (Illinois St)
(KenPom 137) LaSalle (UIC)
(KenPom 138 ) Wright St (Bradley)
(KenPom 141) Texas St (Bradley)

McCollum 400-91 as a Head Basketball Coach

Ben McCollum put together a 32-7 record in the NCAA Division II Tournament, including four national championships (2017, 2019, 2021, 2022).(Note: 2020 was cancelled or he may have had a 4-peat)

I started to pay attention after Miami. Unfortunately for us, but fortunately for the MVC, it looks like Drake has found another good coach. I think we are a very well coached team too. Since, a lot of the major players came with McCollum he also gets the benefit of continuity, as we do. It could be a very compelling matchup for us.

[Da Coach]

Can they keep it going through the MVC season against a lot of really good coaches who will scout them better and teams that will defend better? That will be the real test.

[️ Fanatic]

Can they keep it going through the MVC season against a lot of really good coaches who will scout them better and teams that will defend better? That will be the real test.

Some interesting observations after the Miami & FAU games - that I was able to watch:

Drake has defeated two teams that are clearly more athletic than they are, out-rebounding both by a significant margin. Nearly 70% of their baskets have come from assists, showcasing their fundamental skills and unselfish style of play.

McCollum seems to be a pretty intense coach -- a no-nonsense approach with zero tolerance for mental mistakes.

Going forward, opponents are likely to take Drake much more seriously, rather than dismissing them as “just a bunch of D-II players.” It will be fascinating to see how they rise to this new level of attention.

[Tommy]

McCollum had an impressive record in D2 and brought 4 or 5 guys from there with him, so they know the system and run it well. Will be interesting to see if they can maintain this level of success as more tape on them comes out. Also, they did beat some PC schools in that tournament, but I don’t think they were very good PC programs last year. Vandy was 2nd to last in the SEC, I believe.

I’m partially just trying to help convince myself that Drake isn’t going to just continue to have our number!

[LittleBrave]

I’m partially just trying to help convince myself that Drake isn’t going to just continue to have our number!

We don't ponder this often as Braves fans, but I bet there are a handful of MVC teams that are trying to convince themselves that BU doesn't have their number!

[Tommy]

We don't ponder this often as Braves fans, but I bet there are a handful of MVC teams that are trying to convince themselves that BU doesn't have their number!

That's a great point! I'm sure they're looking at this team after the Myrtle Beach tournament and wondering how they're going to stop us when the stats are so evenly distributed across the roster!

[Da Coach]

Drake (6-0) is now getting a significant number of votes in both the AP Media Top 25 poll, and the USA Today Coaches Top 25 poll this week.
In both the AP media poll and in the USA Today Coaches poll, they rank 34th in votes. - https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/rankings

[Afreck2430]

Not sure I buy there hot start. When watching the Miami game, I did not think they were a good team at all. Think them losing to Charleston Southern just proved it

[BengalFan14]

Some interesting observations after the Miami & FAU games - that I was able to watch:

Drake has defeated two teams that are clearly more athletic than they are, out-rebounding both by a significant margin. Nearly 70% of their baskets have come from assists, showcasing their fundamental skills and unselfish style of play.

McCollum seems to be a pretty intense coach -- a no-nonsense approach with zero tolerance for mental mistakes.

Going forward, opponents are likely to take Drake much more seriously, rather than dismissing them as “just a bunch of D-II players.” It will be fascinating to see how they rise to this new level of attention.

I watched the MIami and Vanderbilt games. It was interesting that Drake overcame below average 3 pt shooting and turnovers by outrebounding both teams. But we defend better and we’re longer than both teams they played. Having said that, Drake’s PG is really good.