Sat Mar 22 04:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Drake Bulldogs Upset Missouri Tigers in NCAA Tournament Thriller
**WICHITA, Kan.** – In a stunning upset, the 11th-seeded Drake Bulldogs defeated the sixth-seeded Missouri Tigers 67-57 in the first round of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament Thursday night. The victory marks Drake’s first NCAA tournament win since 2021 and is a testament to the transformative first season of head coach Ben McCollum.
McCollum, who joined Drake just last April after a highly successful tenure at Division II Northwest Missouri State, predicted this victory. He assembled a team primarily composed of players from Division II and junior colleges, fostering a winning culture and a 30-3 regular season record.
The Bulldogs dominated the boards and held Missouri to their lowest first-half point total of the season. Junior guard Bennett Stirtz, a key player from the Division II ranks, led Drake with 21 points. Tavion Banks, the MVC Sixth Man of the Year, added 15 points, including seven crucial points in the final minutes, sealing the win with an alley-oop.
Despite a late rally by Missouri, which narrowed the gap to 52-51 with just over four minutes remaining, Drake responded with a decisive 15-6 run to secure the victory. McCollum praised Stirtz’s composure during those critical moments, highlighting their complementary coaching styles.
Drake, a small school from Des Moines, Iowa, now advances to the second round, where they will face the No. 3 seed Texas Tech Red Raiders on Saturday. A win would send Drake to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1971. The team’s improbable success under McCollum’s leadership showcases the power of a strong coaching vision and the potential of overlooked talent.
First Piper 