Sacred Heart Pioneers men's basketball

Sacred Heart Pioneers
2024–25 Sacred Heart Pioneers men's basketball team
UniversitySacred Heart University
Head coachAnthony Latina (12th season)
ConferenceMetro Atlantic Athletic Conference
LocationFairfield, Connecticut
ArenaWilliam H. Pitt Center
(capacity: 2,062)
NicknamePioneers
ColorsRed and white[1]
   
NCAA tournament champions
1986*
NCAA tournament Final Four
1977*, 1986*
NCAA tournament Elite Eight
1977*, 1978*, 1982*, 1983*, 1984*, 1986*, 1989*
NCAA tournament Sweet Sixteen
1977*, 1978*, 1981*, 1982*, 1983*, 1984*, 1985*, 1986*, 1987*, 1989*
NCAA tournament appearances
1971*, 1972*, 1975*, 1977*, 1978*, 1981*, 1982*, 1983*, 1984*, 1985*, 1986*, 1987*, 1989*
*at Division II level

The Sacred Heart Pioneers men's basketball team represents Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States. The school's team currently competes in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. They play their home games at the William H. Pitt Center. During their time as members of the NCAA Division II, they were national champions in 1986.

History

In 1983, Keith Bennett became the school's leading career scorer.[2] He was named a National Association of Basketball Coaches Division II All-American in 1981, 1982, and 1983, and Regional Player of the Year in 1982 and 1983.[3][4]

2014–15 was the 50th season of Pioneer basketball. Sacred Heart's first year of competition was the 1965–66 season under coach Don Feeley. Sacred Heart joined NCAA Division I in the 1999–2000 season.

Classification

Years Classification National Tournaments Seasons
1999–2000 to Present NCAA Division I 0 appearances 25
1965–66 to 1998–99 NCAA Division II 13 appearances 34

Home court

Years Venue Seasons
1997–98 to Present William H. Pitt Center 28
1965–66 to 1996–97 Memorial Hall 32

Conference affiliation

Years Conference Seasons
1999–2000 to Present Northeast Conference 26
1981–82 to 1996–97 New England Collegiate Conference 16
1965–66 to 1980–81, 1997–98 to 1998–99 Division II Independent 18

Postseason

NCAA Division II Tournament results

The Pioneers have appeared in 13 NCAA Division II Tournaments. Their combined record is 22–15. They were national champions in 1986.

Year Round Opponent Result
1971 Regional semifinals
Regional 3rd-place game		 Assumption
Stonehill		 L 83–106
W 86–81
1972 Regional semifinals
Regional 3rd Place		 Assumption
Bridgeport		 L 82–112
L 89–107
1975 Regional semifinals
Regional 3rd Place		 Assumption
Hartford		 L 95–111
L 91–102
1977 Regional semifinals
Regional Finals
Elite Eight
Final Four
National 3rd-place game		 Assumption
Merrimack
Towson State
Chattanooga
North Alabama		 W 83–78
W 110–104
W 85–82
L 81–95
L 77–93
1978 Regional semifinals
Regional Finals
Elite Eight		 Bridgeport
Merrimack
Cheyney		 W 73–70
W 84–83 OT
L 57–59
1981 Regional semifinals
Regional Finals		 Stonehill
Southern New Hampshire		 W 89–86
L 80–81
1982 Regional semifinals
Regional Finals
Elite Eight		 Springfield
Southern Connecticut
Kentucky Wesleyan		 W 66–61
W 78–67
L 85–88
1983 Regional semifinals
Regional Finals
Elite Eight		 Assumption
American International
District of Columbia		 W 113–108 4OT
W 72–68
L 38–45
1984 Regional semifinals
Regional Finals
Elite Eight		 American International
South Dakota State
Saint Augustine's		 W 72–69 2OT
W 88–81 OT
L 92–107
1985 Regional semifinals
Regional Finals		 Bridgeport
American International		 W 47–45
L 74–80
1986 Regional semifinals
Regional Finals
Elite Eight
Final Four
National Championship Game		 Springfield
Southern New Hampshire
Norfolk State
Florida Southern
Southeast Missouri State		 W 76–74 2OT
W 83–67
W 84–74
W 86–80
W 93–87
1987 Regional semifinals
Regional Finals		 Saint Anselm
Southern New Hampshire		 W 82–80
L 67–73
1989 Regional semifinals
Regional Finals
Elite Eight		 Bentley
Bridgeport
North Carolina Central		 W 103–88
W 69–67
L 57–58

References

  1. ^ SHU Pioneers Official Logo Art. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
  2. ^ Sulzycki, Sandy (March 2, 2013). "Sandy Sulzycki: The Week That Was". Connecticut Post.
  3. ^ "New England Basketball Hall of Fame Elects Three Pioneers". Sacred Heart. May 17, 2013.
  4. ^ "NABC Division II All-America Teams". NABC.


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