Bethune–Cookman Wildcats men's basketball

Bethune–Cookman Wildcats
2024–25 Bethune–Cookman Wildcats men's basketball team
UniversityBethune–Cookman University
First season1929–1930
Athletic directorReggie Theus
Head coachReggie Theus (4th season)
ConferenceSWAC
LocationDaytona Beach, Florida
ArenaMoore Gymnasium
(capacity: 3,000)
NicknameWildcats
ColorsMaroon and gold[1]
   
NCAA tournament second round
1965*, 1968*, 1980*
NCAA tournament appearances
1965*, 1968*, 1980*
*at Division II level
Conference tournament champions
SIAC: 1953, 1968, 1980
Conference regular season champions
2011, 2018

The Bethune–Cookman Wildcats men's basketball team represents Bethune–Cookman University in the sport of basketball. The Wildcats compete in the NCAA Division I and the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). They play their home games in Moore Gymnasium on campus in Daytona Beach, Florida. They are coached by former NBA player and Sacramento Kings coach Reggie Theus. The team has been playing since 1930, having joined Division I along with the rest of the conference in 1980.

The Wildcats are one of 34 eligible Division I programs to have never appeared in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. They are the only SWAC team to never reach the tournament and one of just two (with Florida A&M) to never win the SWAC tournament.

Team history

Pre-Division I (1930–1979)

For the first 50 years of their program, the Bethune–Cookman Wildcats men's basketball team competed in the NCAA Division II. During this era, it had eight different coaches. The most notable coach from this era was former Bethune–Cookman and Pittsburgh Steelers player Jack "Cy" McClairen. Some accomplishments during this era include qualifying for the NIBT tournament twice, the NAIA tournament once, and the NCAA Division II tournament three times. All of these post-season runs ended in defeat for Bethune–Cookman.

Division I era (1980–present)

After competing in NCAA Division II for 50 years, the team was invited to play in the NCAA Division I. In 2021, Bethune–Cookman accepted an invitation to join the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). Originally, the team played in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). During this time, the only tournament the Wildcats have made is the NIT tournament. Though they now play in the NCAA Division I, they have never made a tournament appearance.

Results by season in Division I (1980–2021)

Season Coach Overall Conference Standings Postseason
1980–1981 Cy McClairen 13–15 6–8 4th –
1981–1982 Cy McClairen 11–17 5–7 6th –
1982–1983 Cy McClairen 5–21 3–9 7th –
1983–1984 Cy McClairen 6–22 2–10 6th –
1984–1985 Cy McClairen 8–19 4–12 5th –
1985–1986 Cy McClairen 7–22 4–12 7th –
1986–1987 Cy McClairen 10–19 6–8 7th –
1987–1988 Cy McClairen 6–21 4–10 – –
1988–1989 Cy McClairen 12–16 8–8 5th –
1989–1990 Cy McClairen 10–18 8–8 4th –
1990–1991 Cy McClairen 5–24 3–13 9th –
1991–1992 Cy McClairen 4–25 3–13 8th –
1992–1993 Cy McClairen 2–25 2–14 9th –
1993–1994 Tony Sheals 9–18 8–8 5th –
1994–1995 Tony Sheals 12–16 9–7 4th –
1995–1996 Tony Sheals 12–15 8–8 4th –
1996–1997 Tony Sheals 12–16 9–9 4th –
1997–1998 Horace Broadnax 1–26 1–17 10th –
1998–1999 Horace Broadnax 11–16 10–9 5th –
1999–2000 Horace Broadnax 14–15 12–6 4th –
2000–2001 Horace Broadnax 10–19 5–13 9th –
2001–2002 Clifford Reed Jr. (6–4)

Horace Broadnax (6–13)

12–17 8–10 8th –
2002–2003 Clifford Reed Jr. 8–22 5–13 T–9th –
2003–2004 Clifford Reed Jr. 8–21 7–11 8th –
2004–2005 Clifford Reed Jr. 13–17 6–12 9th –
2005–2006 Clifford Reed Jr. 15–15 11–7 3rd –
2006–2007 Clifford Reed Jr. 9–21 6–12 9th –
2007–2008 Clifford Reed Jr. 11–21 5–11 9th –
2008–2009 Clifford Reed Jr. 17–16 9–7 3rd –
2009–2010 Clifford Reed Jr. 17–16 7–9 7th –
2010–2011 Clifford Reed Jr. 21–13 13–3 1st NIT
2011–2012 Gravelle Craig 18–17 11–5 4th –
2012–2013 Gravelle Craig 14–20 7–9 8th –
2013–2014 Gravelle Craig 7–25 5–11 10th –
2014–2015 Gravelle Craig 11–21 7–9 8th –
2015–2016 Gravelle Craig 14–18 10–6 4th –
2016–2017 Gravelle Craig 10–22 6–10 10th –
2017–2018 Ryan Ridder 18–14 12–4 T–1st –
2018–2019 Ryan Ridder 14–17 9–7 5th –
2019–2020 Ryan Ridder 16–14 10–6 4th –
2020–2021 Reggie Theus – – – –

Postseason results

NCAA Division II tournament results

The Wildcats have appeared in the NCAA Division II tournament three times. Their combined record is 0–6.

Year Round Opponent Result
1965 Regional semifinals
Regional 3rd-place game		 Evansville
Norfolk State		 L 77–116
L 74–91
1968 Regional semifinals
Regional 3rd-place game		 Union (TN)
Oglethorpe		 L 67–81
L 70–82
1980 Regional semifinals
Regional 3rd-place game		 Florida Southern
West Georgia		 L 72–81
L 62–75

NAIA tournament results

The Wildcats have appeared in the NAIA tournament one time. Their record is 0–1.

Year Round Opponent Result
1966 First round Carroll L 88–91

NIT results

The Wildcats have appeared in one National Invitation Tournament (NIT). Their record is 0–1.

Year Round Opponent Result
2011 First round Virginia Tech L 54–79

CBI results

The Wildcats have appeared in the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) once in 2024. Their combined record is 0–0.

Year Round Opponent Result
2024 First Round TBD TBD

Notable players

References

  1. ^ Bethune-Cookman Digital Media Guide. Retrieved December 15, 2017.