1968–69 Drake Bulldogs men's basketball team


The 1968–69 Drake Bulldogs men's basketball team represented Drake University in the 1968–69 college basketball season. The team was led by eleventh-year head coach Maury John. In 1967–68, the Bulldogs finished 18–8. They were also trying to make their first NCAA tournament appearance since as well as their first postseason appearance since their National Invitation Tournament appearance in 1964.

Regular season

The Bulldogs were 12–1 at home as well as 8–3 on the road and 6–1 at neutral locations. With their third-place finish in the NCAA Tournament Drake had their best NCAA finish up to that point, and as of the start of the 2007–2008 season. On December 27–28, 1968 Drake played in the Dallas Classic in Dallas, Texas against Minnesota and Southern Methodist. Drake was ranked in the AP Top 20 Poll on several occasions during the season. Drake was ranked 18th during the week of January 7, 1969. Drake was once again ranked 11th on March 4, 1969. On March 8, 1969 Drake won a MVC playoff game 77–73 in Wichita, Kansas to determine the conference champion.
A documentary on the 1968–69 Drake Basketball team was made in 2004 by filmmaker Jacob Adams of Impossible Productions and is available from his website. Most of the UCLA—Drake game was recreated with an old coach's film and radio play by play. Intercut are commentaries by Drake players and coaches.

Missouri Valley Conference standings

#TeamConferencePct.OverallPct.
1Drake
13–3
.813
26–5
.839
2Louisville
13–3
.813
21–6
.778
3Tulsa
11–5
.688
19–8
.704
4Cincinnati
8–8
.500
17–9
.654
5North Texas State
8–8
.500
15–10
.600
6Bradley
7–9
.438
14–12
.539
7Wichita State
7–9
.438
11–15
.423
8Saint Louis
5–11
.313
6–19
.240
9Memphis State
0–16
.000
6–19
.240

Roster

Player statistics

Note: GP= Games played; RPG = Rebounds per Game; PPG = Points per Game
PlayerGPRPGPPG
Willie McCarter313.720.4
Willie Wise3011.414.6
Dolph Pulliam317.713.2
Don Draper312.412.2
Al Williams317.28.8
Gary Zeller311.66.3
Rick Wanamaker283.34.3
Gary Odom304.43.7
Ron Gwin251.32.6
Al Sakys70.21.8
Larry Sharp171.11.5
Others310.62.7

Schedule

NBA Draft

RoundPickPlayerNBA Club
112Willie McCarterLos Angeles Lakers
564Willie WiseSan Francisco Warriors