Students excited to see their team play in the NCAA tournament
"I was so excited," said Lily Oram.
Oram's feelings are likely shared by the majority of her fellow Drake University students when it comes to the men's basketball team.
The team earned its first bid to the NCAA men's basketball tournament in more than a decade.
"It's crazy. I was hype, man. They haven't been since 2008," said Joe Guzman.
Guzman is ready for the Bulldogs to take a bite out of the Wichita State Shockers when they play Thursday evening.
There is plenty of room for optimism.
A red-hot start ended with an overall record of 25-4.
Arturo Rodriguez, Jr. was concerned the team's failure to win its conference tournament meant Drake's NCAA tournament hopes were futile.
"I'm really happy they finally did it," Rodriguez said.
For Drake athletes like hurdler Dylan DeAngelo, the men's basketball team getting into the big dance gives him a sense of pride.
"We are really excited for those guys and see their Instagram and Snapchat posts it is really cool," DeAngelo said.
The game is Thursday evening at 5:27 p.m.