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Sam Houston Bearkats men's basketball
Sam Houston Bearkats men's basketball
	2024–25 Sam Houston Bearkats men's basketball team
University	Sam Houston State University
Head coach	Chris Mudge (2nd season)
Conference	C-USA
Location	Huntsville, Texas
Arena	Bernard Johnson Coliseum ; (capacity: 6,110)
Nickname	Bearkats
Colors	Orange and white;
Uniforms
Home	Away ;
NCAA tournament round of 32
	1986*
NCAA tournament appearances
	1986, 2003, 2010; at Division II level
Conference tournament champions
	Southland: 2003, 2010; Lone Star: 1975, 1981, 1982
Conference regular season champions
	C–USA: 2024; Southland: 2000, 2003, 2010, 2019; Gulf Star: 1986; Lone Star: 1934, 1937, 1948, 1964, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1981; TIAA: 1925

The Sam Houston Bearkats men's basketball team, represents Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, United States. The Bearkats were one of four programs, all from Texas, that left the Southland Conference on July 1, 2021 to join the Western Athletic Conference (WAC).^[2] Sam Houston had previously been a member of the Southland Conference since the 1987–88 season. The Bearkats have played home games at Johnson Coliseum, a 6,110 seat indoor arena, since 1976, when it was then called University Coliseum.^[3] On July 1, 2023 the Bearkats joined Conference USA.^[4]

History

Sam Houston has a prestigious history in regards to men's basketball. The Bearkats have fielded a basketball team since 1917, excluding the 1942–43 and 1943–44 basketball seasons. Basketball was not played these years because World War II had decimated male enrollment at Sam Houston. Success began early as Sam Houston went 43–11 during its first five years, including an unblemished 24–0 record during its first three.

During the 21st century, Sam Houston's men's basketball program boasts the second-winningest program in Texas Division I, only behind Texas. The Bearkats are also the winningest program in the Southland Conference during the last decade.^[5]

Home Courts

Due to a lack of funds, it was not until 1924 that the school built the Men's Gymnasium, near the corner of 20th (now Bowers) and Avenue I. Nicknamed the "Cracker Box" Gym, the building was wood framed and lasted until the 1950s. Its most famous moment, though, did not involve athletics, but a visit by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt in 1937.^[6]

After the demolition of the Men's Gym the school built what is referred to as the New Gymnasium or Bearkat Gymnasium (depending on the source), opening in 1956 at the corner of 20th (now Bowers) and Avenue J. This gym had room for 3,000 as well as dormitory space under the seats, and was the team's home for another 20 seasons until the opening of the University Coliseum, now known as the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum. Located at 20th (now Bowers) and Avenue H (now Bobby K. Marks Dr), this arena still serves the university today. The second gym has undergone several conversions and is now known as Academic Building Three.^[7]

Postseason appearances

NCAA Division I Tournament

The Bearkats have appeared in two NCAA Division I Tournaments. Their combined record is 0–2.

Year	Seed	Round	Opponent	Result
2003	15 (S)	First Round	Florida	L 55–85
2010	14 (S)	First Round	Baylor	L 59–68

NIT results

The Bearkats have appeared in two National Invitation Tournament. Their combined record is 1–2.

Year	Round	Opponent	Result
2019	First Round	TCU	L 69–82
2023	First Round Second Round	Santa Clara North Texas	W 58–56 L 55–75

CIT results

The Bearkats have appeared in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) four times. Their combined record is 4–4.

Year	Round	Opponent	Result
2014	First Round Second Round	Alabama State San Diego	W 71–49 L 72–77
2015	First Round Second Round	UNC Wilmington Louisiana	W 87–71 L 70–71
2016	First Round	Jackson State	L 77–81^OT
2018	Second Round Quarterfinals Semifinals	Eastern Michigan UTSA Northern Colorado	W 69–62 W 76–69 L 80–99

NCAA Division II Tournament

The Bearkats have appeared in one NCAA Division II tournament. Their record is 0–2.

Year	Round	Opponent	Result
1986	Regional semifinals Regional 3rd-place game	Delta State Abilene Christian	L 59–61 L 60–76

NAIA Tournament

The Bearkats have appeared in one NAIA tournament. Their record is 1–1.

Year	Round	Opponent	Result
1973	First round Second Round	Wartburg Xavier (LA)	W 88–62 L 60–67

References

^ "Athletic Branding". Sam Houston State University Department of Marketing and Communications. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
^ "WAC Announces Expedited Entrance for Four Texas Institutions" (Press release). Western Athletic Conference. January 21, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
^ "Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum". Sam Houston State University. Retrieved 2013-05-14.
^ "Conference USA welcomes the Bearkats" (Press release). GoBearkats.com. July 1, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
^ "Sam Houston State Men's Basketball Notes" (PDF). Sam Houston Athletics. Retrieved 2013-05-14.
^ Mary, Estill. "Men's Gymnasium". The Building of Sam Houston State University. BuildingSHSU.com. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
^ "Academic Building Three". The Building of Sam Houston State University. BuildingSHSU.com. Retrieved 30 January 2024.