Game 31 - Arch Madness Round 2 vs Bradley

[sevelev711]

Props for your screen name

yes quite possible. Texas, Texas Tech, ole Miss, Norte Dame.

On one hand, I hate that any time any coach gets sustained success in the MVC, it means that big schools start poaching, especially now that their good players can come with and have zero penalty for doing so.

...On the other hand, it would mean Drake going back into the cellar, so...

[CyCarp]

On one hand, I hate that any time any coach gets sustained success in the MVC, it means that big schools start poaching, especially now that their good players can come with and have zero penalty for doing so.

...On the other hand, it would mean Drake going back into the cellar, so...

As much as I can't stand Drake, I actually like DeVries. He seems like a good dude. He can stick around, somebody can take Wardle though.

[SteinPizza]

Props for your screen name

yes quite possible. Texas, Texas Tech, ole Miss, Norte Dame.

Drake will need to make some noise in the tourney for Devries to be a serious candidate for any of those jobs. A Sweet 16 gets him in those conversations.

[sevelev711]

Drake will need to make some noise in the tourney for Devries to be a serious candidate for any of those jobs. A Sweet 16 gets him in those conversations.

I don't know, I think the consistency shown by him is a pretty big selling point, as we unfortunately know, it's not like Drake has just been good this one year.

[SteinPizza]

I don't know, I think the consistency shown by him is a pretty big selling point, as we unfortunately know, it's not like Drake has just been good this one year.

During today’s game they showed a graphic, three straight 25 win seasons I believe. That’s certainly a selling point, but it will take some national level publicity to sell him to a larger program and their donor base. A Sweet 16 while beating at least one, highly ranked name program would do that.

[sevelev711]

At the end of the day, either DeVries stays and it's great for the conference as a whole, or he leaves and it's really bad for Drake, either way, it's good for us, so truthfully I don't really care what happens. I will say this, with some of the names that are being thrown around for some jobs, it's really hard to see Devries as anywhere but at the top when it comes to quality.

[SteinPizza]

At the end of the day, either DeVries stays and it's great for the conference as a whole, or he leaves and it's really bad for Drake, either way, it's good for us, so truthfully I don't really care what happens. I will say this, with some of the names that are being thrown around for some jobs, it's really hard to see Devries as anywhere but at the top when it comes to quality.

The bigger thing would be Tucker leaving, if it happens. A mid major conference needs legit playmakers to be relevant. Any time you lose one, it hurts. In that regard, and many others, the talent of the players is more important than the coaches.

[BCPanther]

Porter to Notre Dame and Darian to Oklahoma seems like the most likely scenario to me.

However, we need to keep coaching talent in the league.

[Khan4Cats]

The thing to remember about Darian is that he was constantly mentioned for years as a candidate before he took the Drake job. He's worked with Altman, who had a stint at K State before Creighton and then backed out of Arkansas before finally going to Oregon. And he's worked with McDermott, who had his experience at Iowa State. Darian is fully aware of the potential pitfalls of a major move and will more than likely only go to a prime opportunity. The Tucker angle is an interesting one, but I'm not sure how much will factor into it if they feel he can still reach his goals through Drake.

[UNIAlum95]

The thing to remember about Darian is that he was constantly mentioned for years as a candidate before he took the Drake job. He's worked with Altman, who had a stint at K State before Creighton and then backed out of Arkansas before finally going to Oregon. And he's worked with McDermott, who had his experience at Iowa State. Darian is fully aware of the potential pitfalls of a major move and will more than likely only go to a prime opportunity. The Tucker angle is an interesting one, but I'm not sure how much will factor into it if they feel he can still reach his goals through Drake.

We will see how the transfer portal is used in Des Moines to compliment Tucker and Enright next season. Ferguson could be a serviceable player for them as well but they have some big holes to fill. That said if you are going to jump for a bigger opportunity, this looks to be a great time to do it because that's a thin roster to start the year off with.

[SteinPizza]

The Tucker angle is an interesting one, but I'm not sure how much will factor into it if they feel he can still reach his goals through Drake.

If anything, AJ’s good first year as a pro, and out performing his pre draft expectations, might make Tucker more likely to stay at Drake. Why mess with your situation if it’s headed in the right direction? If Tucker makes the NBA, it will be in a role similar to AJ’s.

[CyCarp]

If anything, AJ’s good first year as a pro, and out performing his pre draft expectations, might make Tucker more likely to stay at Drake. Why mess with your situation if it’s headed in the right direction? If Tucker makes the NBA, it will be in a role similar to AJ’s.

I really wonder how close AJ was to going to Iowa State. He visited just days before he declared for the NBA. I think it was a lot closer than others think. Rumors were the feedback he got from NBA scouts was that they wanted to see him against better competition. How true that is, I don't know - but if it's true and Tucker hears similar, it wouldn't surprise me at all if he left with his dad.

[MVCBeat]

During today’s game they showed a graphic, three straight 25 win seasons I believe. That’s certainly a selling point, but it will take some national level publicity to sell him to a larger program and their donor base. A Sweet 16 while beating at least one, highly ranked name program would do that.

Drake has done more under Devries, it seems, than every other coach since Maury John combined. Its absolutely remarkable what he has done when so many others have tried and failed. Feels like he is more of a builder type guy and would be a good fit in the Big East. DePaul or something.

[Catmandoo]

Darian would have to be high on Iowa's list if Fran goes to Notre Dame. Fran & Patrick to ND - Darian & Tucker to Iowa.

[skydog0784]

Darian would have to be high on Iowa's list if Fran goes to Notre Dame. Fran & Patrick to ND - Darian & Tucker to Iowa.

As an Iowa fan too, I'd take that in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, not going to happen. Fran is almost 64 years old with no meaningful post-season success (aside from last year's BTT championship and an NIT run to the championship many years ago). He's never been to the second round in the Big Dance - ever in his entire career.