Page 4 - DBU Men's Basketball 2024

ERA OF DOMINANCE
Over an eight-year stretch dating back to the 2015-2016 season, the DBU Men’s Basketball team has punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament six 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 five consecutive trips to the NCAA postseason, making them one of just seven teams in the nation to reach the NCAA postseason each of the last five years.
During the past seven seasons, DBU boasts an overall record of 151-64 and has gone 87-35 versus conference opponents. DBU has also compiled an 83-17 mark at the Burg Center over that seven-year stretch.
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 virtue of 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.
The Patriots were led by a trio of All-Heartland Conference performers, including Patrick Burke, who ranked second in the nation in field goal percentage. Julian Miranda was tabbed the league’s Freshman of the Year and finished the season with a team-best 147 assists, while senior Myles Johnson finished his career as the program’s second-all-time leading scorer. Patriots’ head coach, Blake Flickner, was named the Heartland Conference Coach of the Year.
In the 2017-2018 season, DBU defended their regular-season title while also winning the Heartland Conference Tournament title. Following a school-record 26 wins, the Patriots earned the No. 6 seed in the South Central Regional Tournament. DBU also finished the year with a perfect 15-0 record at home, including an upset win over then-ranked No. 6 UT Permian Basin.
Following DBU’s win over Oklahoma Christian in the Heartland Conference Tournament Championship, Patrick Burke was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player for the second time in his career.
At the season’s end, Chandler Jacobs became the fifth player
in school history named the Heartland Conference’s Freshman of the Year. Patrick Burke also earned First Team All-Conference honors, as he finished his career as a three-time All-Conference selection.
The 2018-2019 season saw the Patriots advance to the NCAA postseason for the third in four years.
4 THIS IS DBU BASKETBALL RETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS