DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Last season was a landmark year for basketball in the state of Iowa, as three Division I teams reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time. Drake hopes to crash that party soon.

The Bulldogs, who’ve been to the NCAA Tournament just once since 1971, are optimistic they can inch closer to postseason play in 2015-16. The “Big Dance” might be a stretch, but a run at .500 after two losing seasons under coach Ray Giacoletti is certainly a possibility.

Drake, which went 9-22 last year, opens at Tulane on Nov. 16.