2021 Drexel Dragons Appreciation Post
Near Misses
I've been a Drexel Basketball fan since the moment I stepped on campus as a freshman back in the year 2000. Throughout these years I've seen a lot of up and downs for the program but the dream of seeing the team in the NCAA tournament has always eluded us. For all my years of fandom, we were only legitimately close to making the tournament three times.
Our first close call was in the 2002-03 season, when we made it to the CAA Finals behind a dominant tournament performance by senior forward Robert Battle. Despite his heroic efforts, the team lost to a very good UNCW team, shutting the door on the tourney.
The 2006-07 season was our second close call as we had one of the most talented teams I've seen at Drexel. This team boasted two CAA Defensive Players of the Year in Bashir Mason and Chaz Crawford. They also had serious scoring punch with junior forward Frank Elegar working out of the post and senior Dom Mejia out on the wing. During the season they won 23 games and were true road warriors earning big wins at the homes of St. Joe's, Temple, Villanova and Syracuse who were ranked at the time. Despite these big wins, the team finished fourth in the conference and bowed out in the semifinals to a VCU team that went on to beat Duke in the first round of the NCAA tournament. For the first time in school history Drexel was on the bubble but the committee blamed our fourth place finish and a couple bad losses for snubbing us.
The third and last time we were close to making the tourney was the 2011-12 season and this was one of the best teams Drexel has ever had. The team featured three of the top guards in Drexel history in Frantz Massenat, Chris Fouch and Damion Lee. They also dominated on the boards with Samme Givens and Daryl McCoy manning the paint. Early on in the season they struggled with Fouch injured. Once he came back and shook off the rust, the team won 26 of 27 games before losing a close game in the finals to VCU, who the year before went to the Final Four. Again we found ourselves on the bubble. With how we dominated the conference and our winning streak, our at-large chances looked even better than they did in 2007. This time the committee blamed our lack of big wins as the reason we were left out. This snub still stings to this day, as I strongly believe this team could have made serious noise in the tournament.
Watching these very talented teams fail to make the NCAA Tournament and seeing our struggles in the CAA tournament over the years, makes what the 2020-21 Dragons did all that more impressive. During a once in a century global pandemic, the team banded together and made many personal sacrifices to accomplish what hadn't been done since the days of Malik Rose. Before this year's team got the job done, I was starting to think that I might be Sister Jean's age and would need to be wheeled onto the court before I saw Drexel make the Big Dance. I really just wanted to write this to thank every single player on the team for their contribution and to just let them know what this means to the Drexel fan base.
Thank You
Chuka Mekkam, sadly we never got to see you suit up for a game, but you’ll always get to say you were part of a CAA Championship.
Coletrane Washington, your outside shooting and scoring ability was missed this season. If you had been able to play I think we would have won a few more games and could have earned a higher seed in the tourney. You'll play an integral role next season in trying to win back to back CAA Championships.
Julian Adams & Anto Keshgegian, walk on's don't usually get much credit but still have to put in the hard work. Your contributions helped push the team to greatness. I'm happy you both got to see the court in Indianapolis and you leave Drexel as Champions, thanks for all you've done.
Tadas Kararinas, you didn't always get the minutes but undeterred you stuck it out for 4 years and gave it your all when your number was called. For all your efforts, you got to cut down the nets in Harrisonburg, got on the floor in Indy and graduated a Champion.
Luke House, it's not an easy task to come off the bench and contribute in limited minutes but you stayed ready and hit big shots when given the opportunity. Without your perfect shooting night at Hofstra, we lose that game for sure. Looking forward to seeing you hit more big shots this year in the bid to repeat.
Amari Williams, we saw flashes of what you are capable over the course of this season, especially your playmaking and rim protecting ability. Even in limited minutes you were impactful on a championship team as a freshman. Looking forward to seeing what you can do with an expanded role next season. Your potential is sky high, just keep working on your game and learn as much as you can from JB.
Tim Perry, your rebounding in the second half of the season was crucial to our successful season. What impressed me the most though was your performance in the finals, with 6 points and 9 rebounds in only 10 minutes. Without you stepping your game up, the Championship Trophy might have gone back home with Elon. Thought we would have you for another season, but wish you all the success in the world in whatever you pursue. Thanks for all you've done for the program in your four years here.
Matey Juric, from the moment you first suited up for the Dragons you've always brought energy, hustle and defense, and this year was no different. Your defense sets the tone for the rest of the team and as Calvin Hicks always says "Defense wins championships." Thanks for helping prove Calvin right!
Lamar Oden, you came in as a freshman on a Championship team and produced in limited minutes; not an easy task. Your performances against St. Joe's and against Charleston in the quarterfinals of the CAA Tourney really stood out as you were crucial to us picking up those wins. A champion in your first year but you are only scratching the surface of your potential. Looking forward to seeing you take your game to the next level.
TJ Bickerstaff, your breakout season was a big reason this was a championship caliber team. You brought size, athleticism and skill that most teams we went up against couldn't match. Even though you had a great season, you can elevate your game to another level. Sadly we won't get to see that here at Drexel, but we will be pulling for you at BC. Hopefully they fully utilize your talent so you can show the ACC what you are capable of. If they do we may see you playing in the NBA someday. Thanks for all you did to help bring us the first Championship in 25 years, you'll be fondly remembered here, Always a Dragon!
Xavier Bell, your insertion into the starting lineup gave the team a much needed boost that put the team on a championship course. Where you really elevated your game though was in the most important games of the year. Scoring double digits in both the semi-final and final was crucial to bringing the trophy back to Philly. You then went out to Indy and led the team in scoring. You've already stamped your name in the Drexel history books in your first year, so can't wait to see how the rest of your career unfolds.
Mate Okros, not everyone reacts well going from starter to coming off the bench, but you actually elevated your game. The second half of the season you were firing on all cylinders and put together a number of performances that propelled the team to victory. Every one of your five threes, in your 5 for 5 shooting performance against JMU was essential to win that game and it was a big W to end the regular season. While that was a memorable performance, legends aren't made in the regular season, so what you did in the CAA Finals is what will be talked about for years to come. Leading the team in scoring with 14 points on 4-5 shooting from three, you stepped your game up when it counted the most. This will never be forgotten here! Thanks for all you did to get us to the big dance, the first I've seen in 20 years as a fan.
James Butler, between you and Cam, the two of you have been the cornerstones of the Drexel basketball turnaround. You came in at a low point and helped us achieve the highest point for the program in 25 years. You are the epitome of consistency, locking in a near double double every game. I've seen many players under perform in the CAA Tournament but you delivered as usual. The most impressive performance you had this season though, came in the NCAA Tournament. Matched up against a mountain of a man that was 45 lbs heavier and 4" taller, you battled Kofi inside to a virtual stalemate. He may have scored more but you somehow doubled him up on the boards. The impact you've had on this program will already be felt for years to come, and you still have a year to build on your legacy.
Zach Walton, this season was your most efficient as a Dragon, but what makes that so impressive is the number of difficult, big time shots you hit late in the shot clock when we needed it the most. This season would not have come close to a championship without your clutch shooting. Leading the team in scoring for 2 of the 3 games in the CAA Tournament, I wouldn't have been surprised if they called your name for Tournament Most Outstanding Player. Your heroics will forever be remembered at Drexel and you will be sorely missed next season. Thanks for helping end the championship drought and good luck in Germany!
Cam Wynter, since the moment you stepped foot on campus you have had a huge impact on this program and have improved your game every season. From Rookie of the year to 2nd Team All CAA, then First team All CAA and finally Most Outstanding Player of the CAA Tournament. As the awards demonstrate you took your game to a whole other level this year and a championship would have been impossible without your leadership, passing and shot making ability. With every defense focused on stopping you, you still managed to produce game in and game out. You are already one of the most decorated players in Drexel history and you still have more time to add to your accolades. If you continue the trend of elevating your game again this year you should be CAA Player of the Year, hopefully lead us back to the tournament and eventually see your number raised up into the rafters with a select few Drexel elites. Thank you for all you've done to bring a championship mentality to Drexel!
I would be remiss not to mention Coach Spiker and the rest of the coaching staff as well. Drexel is not the easiest place to win, as evidenced by the 25 year gap between tournament appearances and when you got here the program was not in great shape. As a staff you brought in talented players, installed a system and built a culture that resulted in us being crowned champions. Thanks for all you've done to bring a championship mentality back to Drexel.
Closing
It's hard to put into words what it felt like to witness us actually win the CAA Championship. Every year since 2002 myself and a group of friends from college have gone to the CAA Tournament and every year we left with some level of disappointment as the ultimate goal was never achieved. Due to the pandemic this was the first year we didn't make it to the tournament so it was surreal watching us actually win it on TV. Seeing the team cutting down the nexts almost didn't feel real, but it did eventually sink in. It was like a 20 year curse had been lifted and for the first time we were able to feel jubilation as Drexel fans.
We had a zoom watch party setup for the CAA tournament games and people I haven't seen in years popped up on the call to watch the finals and celebrate the victory. This win is felt not only by the DAC Pack and other hardcore Drexel fans but by the entire Drexel community. We are all so proud of this team and all you've accomplished. Thank you for making us believers in Drexel basketball again and renewing our optimism for the program. Now let's win it again this year and make some noise in the tournament! #FEARTHEDRAGON
Made it to Indianapolis to watch Drexel in the NCAA Tournament for he first time in 20+ years of fandom