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Bethune–Cookman Wildcats men's basketball

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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

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Pre-Division I (1930–1979)

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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)

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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)

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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

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NCAA Division II tournament results

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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

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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

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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

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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

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References

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