I remember watching that game last season where Drake was down 13 points with under nine minutes left, and thinking "Well, this might be where their Cinderella story ends." But then something remarkable happened - what I've come to recognize as the signature Drake resilience. They were trailing 57-44 against what many considered a superior team, and the arena had that quiet tension you feel when hope starts fading. Then Nat Tulabut, Reinhard Jumamoy, and Steve Nash Enriquez - three players who weren't even on NBA scouts' radars - orchestrated this incredible 15-4 run that brought them within two points at 59-61 with just 1:47 remaining. That moment wasn't just a comeback attempt; it was the perfect snapshot of how Drake Basketball has transformed itself into what I genuinely believe is one of the top mid-major programs in the country right now.

What makes Drake's rise so fascinating to me is that they've achieved this without the blue-chip recruits or massive budgets that power conferences enjoy. I've followed mid-major basketball for over fifteen years, and I can tell you that programs like Drake typically have two options - either be a stepping stone for coaches on their way to bigger jobs, or settle into comfortable mediocrity. But Drake chose a third path, and it's been incredible to watch unfold. Their coaching staff, led by Darian DeVries, has developed this remarkable ability to identify players who fit their system perfectly, even if those players weren't heavily recruited elsewhere. They find guys with specific skill sets and coach them up in ways that make the whole team greater than the sum of its parts.

The culture they've built is something special, and you can see it in games like that comeback I witnessed. When they were down 13, there was no panic in their eyes - just determination. I've spoken with several players off the record, and they all mention this family atmosphere where everyone genuinely believes in each other. That 15-4 run wasn't just about making shots - it was about players who had practiced together so much that they could anticipate each other's movements, who trusted each other completely in high-pressure situations. Tulabut making that extra pass instead of forcing a contested shot, Jumamoy reading the defense before it even set up, Enriquez communicating switches without even needing words - these are things you can't coach through X's and O's alone. They come from building genuine connections and shared experiences.

What really stands out to me about Drake's approach is their player development program. I've watched players arrive on campus as relatively unknown prospects and leave as all-conference performers. They have this systematic way of identifying what each player does well and then putting them in positions to succeed. Their strength and conditioning program is arguably one of the best outside the power conferences - I've seen estimates suggesting they've reduced player injuries by nearly 40% compared to similar programs, though I'd need to verify that exact number. The point is, they invest in the whole athlete, not just the basketball player, and it shows in how their teams perform deep into the season when other programs are wearing down.

The scheduling philosophy has been another masterstroke in my opinion. Unlike some mid-majors who load up on easy wins, Drake consistently challenges themselves with tough non-conference opponents. They're not afraid to play anyone anywhere, and that experience pays dividends when conference play rolls around. I remember looking at their schedule last year and thinking they might have bitten off more than they could chew with games against three power conference teams in November, but those battles - even the losses - prepared them for moments like that comeback I described earlier. When you've faced elite talent already, being down 13 points to a good team doesn't feel insurmountable.

Their success has created this beautiful feedback loop that's so hard to establish at the mid-major level. Winning brings better recruits, which leads to more winning, which improves facilities and resources. I've visited the Knapp Center multiple times over the years, and the upgrades have been noticeable - from the practice facility improvements to the analytics department they've built. They're thinking like a high-major program while operating at the mid-major level, and that forward-thinking approach is paying massive dividends.

The community embrace has been another critical factor. Des Moines has really rallied around this team in ways that remind me of what happened with Gonzaga in Spokane or Butler in Indianapolis. When I attended games a decade ago, you'd see decent crowds for big matchups but plenty of empty seats otherwise. Now? The place is rocking for every conference game, and that home-court advantage matters. I'd estimate they've increased average attendance by at least 2,000 fans per game over the past five years, though I'd need to check the official numbers to be certain. That energy feeds the players, and the winning gives fans something to cheer about - it's this perfect symbiotic relationship.

What I find most impressive is how they've maintained this level despite roster turnover. In today's transfer portal era, successful mid-majors often get picked apart by bigger programs offering more exposure and resources. Drake has certainly lost players to power conferences, but they've developed this incredible ability to reload rather than rebuild. Their system is so well-established that new players can step in and contribute immediately. That consistency in coaching philosophy and developmental approach has been absolutely vital to their sustained success.

Watching that game where they nearly completed that comeback from 13 down, I realized that Drake Basketball has become everything you want from a mid-major program. They play an exciting style, develop players remarkably well, compete fearlessly, and represent their community with class. They may not have completed the comeback in that particular game - I believe they ended up losing by four points - but the fight they showed exemplifies why they've risen to become a top mid-major program. In my book, they're exactly what college basketball should be about - finding ways to win through smart coaching, player development, and building genuine team chemistry rather than just outspending everyone else.