Team preview: Drexel

Blue Ribbon Illustrated previews the 2004-05 college basketball season, exclusively on Insider.

Updated: October 20, 2004, 4:46 PM ET
Blue Ribbon Yearbook
Editor's Note: Insider has teamed with Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook, long known as the Bible of college basketball, to provide a comprehensive look at all 326 Division I teams.

COACH AND PROGRAM

If there's one thing we learned last season, it's never underestimate Drexel.

Coach Bruiser Flint had to replace two all-conference performers in 6-8 post Robert Battle (15.1 ppg, 8.2 rpg in 2002-03) and sweet-shooting point guard Eric Schmieder (13.6 ppg, team-best 135 assists); consequently, it was easy to assume Drexel would drop like a stone in the CAA standings.

Expectations lowered that much more after 6-8 sophomore forward Tim Tillman broke his left hand after playing in just three games. The Dragons seemed doomed.

Somebody forgot to tell Flint and his players, though. The Dragons finished second in the CAA, won 18 games and earned a second straight trip to the NIT (where they were bounced by Villanova in the first round). Still, the Dragons were the CAA's surprise team a year ago.


To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

SPONSORED HEADLINES

MORE MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL HEADLINES

MOST SENT STORIES ON ESPN.COM

ALSO SEE