Page 4 - DBU Basketball 24-25 Media Guide

ERA OF DOMINANCE
Over a nine-year stretch dating back to the 2015-2016 season, the DBU Men’s Basketball team has punched their ticket to
the NCAA Tournament seven times and won a combined four conference titles, including a pair of both regular-season and tournament championships in the Heartland Conference. The Patriots’ recent run includes six trips to the NCAA postseason in the last seven years, advancing to the NCAA South Central Regional Semifinals twice during that span.
During the past nine seasons, DBU boasts an overall record of 193-84 (.697) and has gone 117-49 (.705) versus conference opponents. DBU has also compiled a 105-23 (.820) mark at the Burg Center over those nine years.
The Patriots’ dominant run beginning in 2016 saw DBU clinch the Heartland Conference Tournament Championship. In one of the all-time great games in Patriot Basketball history, DBU overcame a six-point deficit with 42 seconds remaining in the title game against UA Fort Smith to send the contest into
overtime. DBU would eventually close out the Lions in an 89- 83 victory to claim the program’s first Heartland Conference Tournament title.
Following a 35-point and 14-rebound performance in the championship game, Patrick Burke was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
By clinching the league’s automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament, DBU entered the South Central Regional as the No. 7 seed. It marked the Patriots’ second trip to the NCAA postseason in school history.
One year later, DBU staked claim to their first-ever regular- season title, finishing the year as co-champions of the Heartland Conference and earning the top seed at the Heartland Conference Tournament. DBU finished the season with a 24-12 mark, matching the 2008-2009 team for the most wins in a season.
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