NCAA Tournament is Drew family homecoming for brothers coaching Baylor, Grand Canyon

This NCAA men's tournament is going to be a family affair for the Drews. 

Scott Drew’s Baylor team is the No. 1 seed in the South Region while younger brother Bryce’s Grand Canyon Antelopes will make their NCAA Tournament debut in his first season as coach. Oh, and the entire tournament is being played in and around Indianapolis, making it an easy trip for their parents, Homer and Janet.

“It’s always exciting coming back home. We’ve got a lot of friends, family, people in that part of the country. At the same time, I’m really excited because I’m going to be with my brother,” Scott Drew said. “And it makes it easier for my Mom and Dad. They don’t have to go to two different locations.”

Homer Drew was the coach at Valparaiso for 22 years, and Scott and Drew got their starts in coaching with him. In 1988, when Bryce was a senior on his father’s team and Scott an assistant, Valparaiso made the tournament as a 13th seed.

With 2.5 seconds left and the Crusaders trailing fourth-seeded Ole Miss 69-67, Valparaiso regained possession at the opposite end of the court. The Crusaders managed to get the ball to Bryce Drew, who made a 23-footer as time expired — known forever more as "The Shot" — to give Valparaiso the upset win.

Valpo would beat Florida State in overtime in the next round before losing to Rhode Island in the Sweet 16.

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Bryce Drew, who hit 'The Shot' for Valparaiso in 1988, has Grand Canyon in its first NCAA men's tournament. (Photo: Patrick Breen, Arizona Republic)

When Homer Drew retired in 2002, Scott replaced him as coach. He left a year later to go to Baylor, and Homer Drew resumed his old job. When he retired for good in 2011, he was replaced by Bryce.

Homer Drew finished with a career record of 640-428, and led Valparaiso to seven NCAA Tournament appearances. He was inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019.  

“We have a great mentor,” Scott Drew said. “There’s a reason he’s in the Hall of Fame. Both of us were blessed to learn from him. As good a coach as he is, he’s a better father.”

Follow USA TODAY Sports Nancy Armour on Twitter @nrarmour

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