The 1968âÂÂ69 Drake Bulldogs men's basketball team represented Drake University in the 1968âÂÂ69 college basketball season. The team was led by eleventh-year head coach Maury John. In 1967âÂÂ68, the Bulldogs finished 18âÂÂ8 (9âÂÂ7 in the Missouri Valley Conference). 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.
The Bulldogs were 12âÂÂ1 at home as well as 8âÂÂ3 on the road and 6âÂÂ1 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 2022âÂÂ2023 season. On December 27âÂÂ28, 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 77âÂÂ73 in Wichita, Kansas to determine the conference champion. A documentary on the 1968âÂÂ69 Drake Basketball team was made in 2004 by filmmaker Jacob Adams of Impossible Productions and is available from his website. Most of the UCLAâÂÂDrake game was recreated with an old coach's film and radio play by play. Intercut are commentaries by Drake players and coaches.
Note: GP= Games played; RPG = Rebounds per Game; PPG = Points per Game