GETTING INSIDE

   Mark Phelps inherited one of the MVC’s most difficult jobs at a most difficult time. Drake, historically a bottom-feeder, put together a miracle run to the MVC title and NCAA Tournament under coach Keno Davis in 2008.

   Phelps took over for the 2009 season, and things didn’t go nearly as smoothly. The Bulldogs finished the season with a 4-12 slump and dropped from first to a tie for eighth place.

   This season doesn’t look any easier. At least Phelps is in his second season and is a little closer to constructing a roster with his players and his philosophy. Last season’s Bulldogs, at times, didn’t appear to put whole-hearted enthusiasm into the new coach’s plans. Even with all the transition, Phelps did coach the Bulldogs to a winning record. They defeated New Mexico, Iowa State and Iowa. They also won at MVC co-champions Creighton and Northern Iowa.

   Drake’s season started to slip when opponents put all their efforts into stopping Josh Young. He endured a barrage of defenders who bullied the slightly built guard. He shot 38.1 percent from the field and 32.1 percent from three-point range.

For Drake to move up in the standings, Young needs some help. Center Jonathan Cox, the team’s only scoring threat in the paint, is gone. Guard Josh Parker, who averaged 10.2 points, transferred to Dayton.

   With Young, point guard Craig Stanley and transfer Ryan Wedel, the Bulldogs should be adequate at guard. Wedel averaged 15.1 points as a sophomore at Arkansas State and needs to pull his weight quickly.

   In a conference low on quality big men, the Bulldogs may suit up the weakest group. Cox and Brent Heemskerk did all of the inside work last season and both are gone. Drake has five players 6-foot-8 or taller, and all are freshmen. Sean Jones, a 7-footer, redshirted last season.

   For Drake to win, it must be able to spread the floor and pound away at defenses with outside shooters. Young, Wedel, Adam Templeton and freshman Ben Simons should fit those roles.

NOTES, QUOTES

• Drake can record a fourth straight winning season, something it hasn’t achieved since 1968-71.

• Senior guard Josh Young enters the season third on Drake’s career list for three-pointers (202) and tied for seventh in scoring (1,328). Should he match last season’s total of 509 points, he would easily pass Red Murrell (1,657) for first.

•  Forward Adam Templeton led Cal-Irvine with 59 three-pointers in 2006 and shot 38.3 percent from that range. He made only 35 in his first season at Drake, shooting 31.8 percent from behind the arc.

   LAST YEAR: 17-16 overall, 7-11 in the MVC.

   HEAD COACH: Mark Phelps (career 17-16); second year at Drake (17-16).

   QUOTE TO NOTE: “Our undoing throughout the season really boiled down to not being a particularly gifted passing team. We had a negative assist-to-turnover ratio on the year, and it was something we addressed on a regular basis, and still something that we struggled with a little bit.”—Drake coach Mark Phelps.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

   SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS: Junior guard Ryan Wedel is a good three-point shooter who can take pressure off senior Josh Young if he adjusts to the physical MVC brand of ball quickly. He is also a good passer who can help the Bulldogs with their turnover problems. Freshman forward Ben Simons is a scorer who averaged 29.4 points at Cadillac (Mich.) High on his way to finishing as the runner-up for Mr. Basketball in the state.

Freshmen Aaron Hawley (6-foot-8) and Seth VanDeest (6-10) could help.

Guard Frank Wiseler, forwards Cory Parker and Greg Whitaker and center Sean Jones redshirted last season.

Key Early-season Games:   Iowa State comes to the Knapp Center on Nov. 17, before Drake starts a four-game road trip. Beating the Cyclones for a fourth straight time would give the Bulldogs a boost heading away from home.

   The Bulldogs travel to Iowa on Dec. 19, also trying to extend a three-game streak over an in-state rival. Drake held the Hawkeyes to 43 points with its matchup zone last season.

   PROGRAM DIRECTION: Phelps needs to at least maintain. A drop from 2008’s standard was unavoidable. But it’s a problem if the Bulldogs continue to fall. Replacing the popular Tom Davis-Keno Davis coaching duo isn’t easy.

   PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: PG Craig Stanley, SG Josh Young, SG Ryan Wedel, SF Adam Templeton, C Seth VanDeest.

   ROSTER REPORT:

   —Sophomore forward Jordan Clarke, a transfer from Vermont, is sitting out this season. Clarke (6-8, 245) averaged 1.4 points and 1.6 rebounds as a freshman.

   —Sophomore guard Frank Wiseler played for the Luxembourg men’s national team during the summer.