Bennett Stirtz never imagined the season he’s having. In a short time, he’s become a pivotal player in one of college basketball’s most surprising starts. Recently, Stirtz sank a game-winning 3-pointer in a thrilling upset over Kansas State, a moment that perfectly encapsulates Drake’s electric 11-0 start under first-year head coach Ben McCollum.
The game-winning shot was a surreal moment for Stirtz. Growing up a Kansas State fan, the junior guard had always dreamed of playing for the program. Drake’s victory over the Wildcats served as a statement for the Bulldogs, placing them in the national spotlight as a team to watch the rest of the season.
“It’s been a dream come true,” said Stirtz on his shot against KSU. “It’s just crazy. I’m sure I’ll look back on it after the season, and it’ll be like, ‘Wow, that really happened.’ It’ll be something I can look back on even when I’m older.”
This season, Stirtz is averaging a team-high 17.5 points per game on 47.8% shooting while adding 5.9 assists and 4.2 rebounds per contest. His rapid rise is nothing short of extraordinary for a player who once flew under the radar without a single Division I offer out of high school.
Coming out of Liberty, Missouri, Stirtz had limited collegiate opportunities. His conversations with Summit League programs like Kansas City and Omaha failed to materialize into scholarship offers. Instead, he received offers from Division II programs in Northwest Missouri and William Jewell, located in his hometown, ultimately committing to Northwest Missouri.
Under the guidance of McCollum, Stirtz thrived at Northwest Missouri. He averaged 15.2 points per game as a sophomore last year and led the Bearcats to a 40-4 record in his two seasons. He fully embraced Northwest Missouri and focused on building his legacy at the Division II powerhouse.
That changed when McCollum accepted the coaching job at Drake during the offseason. The opportunity to reunite with the coach who unlocked his potential was too compelling to pass up.
Stirtz is one of four former Northwest Missouri players who transferred to Drake. All four players earned starting spots and have seamlessly transitioned to the Division I level.
“There’s a lot of motivation for me,” Stirtz said. “I play with a chip on my shoulder. All the coaches we are playing didn’t think we were good enough. Playing with a chip on my shoulder and having that extra motivation has been key.”
Stirtz attributes his team-leading numbers in points, assists and steals to relentless hard work and the guidance of McCollum. He has played every single minute in eight of Drake’s 11 games this season, with one game seeing him play 39 of 40 possible minutes.
McCollum had no doubt Stirtz would excel at Drake, praising his exceptional basketball IQ and dynamic playmaking ability. Stirtz acknowledges McCollum’s role in shaping his game, crediting the coach for his growth and success throughout his career.
“He’s helped me out so much,” Stirtz said. “The system I am in really makes me blossom and makes the guys on the team blossom. Me and him watch a lot of film together. He lets me know what spots to pick. He’s helped a lot to build my basketball IQ.”
Drake made the NCAA Tournament in three of the last four years under previous coach Darian DeVries. Despite the program’s track record of success, McCollum had to assemble an entirely new roster. It was a tall task for McCollum, even with his track record as one of the game’s top coaches, regardless of level.
McCollum, who posted a 395-91 record and four national championships in 15 years at Northwest Missouri, retained just two players from last year’s Drake team.
No one knew what to expect early on. Stirtz realized the team’s potential when they scrimmaged Texas Tech in early October in Lubbock, Texas.
“That was the first time we played someone else, and I was like, ‘Oh dang, we have a chance to be pretty good,'” Stirtz said. “We hung with them. We didn’t really play our best. That was the first time playing someone else, so knowing that it was a close game opened my eyes to the potential of this team.”
Drake is off to its second-best start in the program’s 118-year history. The Bulldogs hope to keep their undefeated start alive when they return to Missouri Valley Conference play against Belmont (10-2) on Sunday afternoon at home.
Picked to finish fifth in the preseason conference poll, the Bulldogs are no longer flying under the radar after their hot start. Despite the buzz, the Bulldogs remain focused on their goals and ultimately qualifying for the NCAA Tournament.
“Sustaining success is the hardest thing,” Stirtz said. “Just being ready to play every game, especially road games (will be key). Every team in the Valley is going to be a tough game, and you have to know that going into it.”
