Drake basketball coach Tom Davis says the Bulldogs need more of a home court advantage as they get set for the upcoming season. A year ago, The Bulldogs lost two games at home in overtime and four others by two points or less enroute to a 12-19 record. Davis says that’s why improving the environment is critical as that’s another factor in success.
Davis says winning your home games are crucial in a Missouri Valley Conference that is coming off its best year ever. Four teams made it to the NCAA Tournament and two got to the Sweet Sixteen. Davis says there aren’t many soft crowds in the league when you go on the road, except when teams come to Drake. Davis says Drake is the easiest home crowd in the league by far.
During the off-season Drake announced that Davis’ son Keno would take over when his father retires. Davis says he didn’t take the job for the money or for his ego. Davis says he thought it might be fun to do, maybe more for Drake than for himself. Davis says seeing his son continue with that makes him feel even better about it.
The Bulldogs have eight of their top ten players from a year ago and regain the services of junior forward Klayton Korver, who sat out last season with a knee injury. Davis says they have made progress with better athletes who are quicker and the bench is deeper.
Davis says the question now is how much they’ll improve on the court and he says that’s why he anxious to see how it will come out. The Bulldogs will be in search of their first winning season since 1987.