Extra year

[Adunk33]

The other option available is for Tucker Devries to not be on athletic scholarship for a year, and have his way paid in academic scholarships, and/or out of pocket by Coach Devries.

Based on how this worked with my cousin playing football as a walk-on, if he was playing in games, he could not be on an academic scholarship, as that would have to count toward the 95 scholarship limit for football. So it's either he's one of the 13 scholarships they have, or they are paying his full tuition I believe. There is not a way to be on academic scholarship while you are able to play as well.

Correct. Tucker Devries will have to be on an athletic scholarship as one of the 13 for the men's basketball team.

Ah, the old Greg-Doug McDermott situation. Doug's senior year at Creighton, he gave his scholarship to long-time friend and a guy who was at Creighton for at least 8 years, Grant Gibbs. I believe Creighton countered this by giving Greg a raise that would cover the cost of tuition. Doug was an All-American as a walk-on his senior year.

With Drake getting better and better every year, I have to believe the team will mostly be together next season. However, what's the feeling in Des Moines about how long you can hang on to Devries? Every year there are lots of openings and Drake seems to be a school that people look closely at the HC. K.Davis a few years back to Niko, and now potentially Devries. Seems like coaches who have success there quickly get other opportunities.

[Blers]

With Drake getting better and better every year, I have to believe the team will mostly be together next season. However, what's the feeling in Des Moines about how long you can hang on to Devries? Every year there are lots of openings and Drake seems to be a school that people look closely at the HC. K.Davis a few years back to Niko, and now potentially Devries. Seems like coaches who have success there quickly get other opportunities.

I've been wondering this as well. DeVries has understandably been doing a ton of press so on top of Drake's name brand, his name is definitely going to be floated everywhere. Given their remaining schedule i don't see them losing more than 2-3 games (I could see Loyola/Bradley splits due to way they defend + one weird one off game). But going 25-3 for the regular season would likely require a big time raise to fend off some larger schools (DePaul, Marquette, Notre Dame, and Boston College all come to mind as private schools that could make a push).

That said I think DeVries is more "in" than Medved ever was.

[tribecalledquest]

With Drake getting better and better every year, I have to believe the team will mostly be together next season. However, what's the feeling in Des Moines about how long you can hang on to Devries? Every year there are lots of openings and Drake seems to be a school that people look closely at the HC. K.Davis a few years back to Niko, and now potentially Devries. Seems like coaches who have success there quickly get other opportunities.

I've been wondering this as well. DeVries has understandably been doing a ton of press so on top of Drake's name brand, his name is definitely going to be floated everywhere. Given their remaining schedule i don't see them losing more than 2-3 games (I could see Loyola/Bradley splits due to way they defend + one weird one off game). But going 25-3 for the regular season would likely require a big time raise to fend off some larger schools (DePaul, Marquette, Notre Dame, and Boston College all come to mind as private schools that could make a push).

That said I think DeVries is more "in" than Medved ever was.

Bringing a top 100 recruit with you off the jump is a nice cherry as well.

[BCPanther]

I'd imagine he'd be pretty attractive to Marquette with the Big East background, that said Marquette seems to think pretty highly of themselves and is going to want a 'name'.

As for the thread and UNI, I'd be pretty surprised if Berhow and Pickford were back for UNI. They've both been benched on a couple of occasions this year and don't seem to be in the greatest standing with Jake.

[Bulldog2323]

With Drake getting better and better every year, I have to believe the team will mostly be together next season. However, what's the feeling in Des Moines about how long you can hang on to Devries? Every year there are lots of openings and Drake seems to be a school that people look closely at the HC. K.Davis a few years back to Niko, and now potentially Devries. Seems like coaches who have success there quickly get other opportunities.

I've been wondering this as well. DeVries has understandably been doing a ton of press so on top of Drake's name brand, his name is definitely going to be floated everywhere. Given their remaining schedule i don't see them losing more than 2-3 games (I could see Loyola/Bradley splits due to way they defend + one weird one off game). But going 25-3 for the regular season would likely require a big time raise to fend off some larger schools (DePaul, Marquette, Notre Dame, and Boston College all come to mind as private schools that could make a push).

That said I think DeVries is more "in" than Medved ever was.

Bringing a top 100 recruit with you off the jump is a nice cherry as well.

The Des Moines Register has Drake AD Brian Hardin on the record stating they are already working on the contract for Devries. This combined with son Tucker coming to the team next year I'm not worried.

[BCPanther]

The Des Moines Register has Drake AD Brian Hardin on the record stating they are already working on the contract for Devries. This combined with son Tucker coming to the team next year I'm not worried.

That letter of intent is certainly iron clad. See: McDermott, Doug.

[Blers42]

Drake HC Devries said in an interview this week that as of now, everyone is planning to come back next year.

I'm sure the roster will work itself out but Drake has two guys committed for next season. That means at least two guys wont be back (of course it doesn't mean it will be seniors).

Not necessarily the case. Noah Thomas opted out of this year and if he does not come back, that opens up a scholarship. No confirmation that he won't be returning, but that is one scholarship that appears to be up in the air. The other option available is for Tucker Devries to not be on athletic scholarship for a year, and have his way paid in academic scholarships, and/or out of pocket by Coach Devries.

Obviously, this is all speculation at this point and Drake fans are more focused on this year than next, but there is a pretty straightforward path to keeping everyone who has played this year and include the two incoming recruits.

I always thought most colleges offered free tuition or heavily discounted tuition to dependents of staff. Which would mean Tucker wouldn't even need a scholarship. I'm not familiar with how athletic scholarships work though.

[Khan4Cats]

I'd be surprised if DeVries is easy to pluck away except for a very solid offer. He was very selective before taking the Drake job as his name had been out there for several years prior.

As for UNI, I'm pretty sure Pickford is done after this year. His body has just taken a beating these last few years. I actually think Berhow will be back to take a final run to make the Tourney with a healthy AJ. The other senior is Mar and he was going to redshirt this year to play next anyways, so I think he's back for a full season next since the NCAA made him sit the first part of this one in their infinite wisdom.