Furman Paladins men's basketball

Last updated
Furman Paladins men's basketball
Basketball current event.svg 2025–26 Furman Paladins men's basketball team
Furman Paladins logo.svg
UniversityFurman University
First season1908–09; 117 years ago
All-time record1,387–1,339 (.504)
Athletic director Jason Donnelly
Head coach Bob Richey (9th season)
Conference SoCon
Location Greenville, South Carolina
Arena Timmons Arena
(capacity: 4,000)
NicknamePaladins
ColorsRoyal purple and white [1]
   
NCAA tournament Sweet Sixteen
1974
NCAA tournament appearances
1971, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1978, 1980, 2023
Conference tournament champions
1971, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1978, 1980, 2023
Conference regular-season champions
1974, 1975, 1977, 1980, 1991, 2017, 2023

The Furman Paladins men's basketball team is the basketball team that represents Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, United States. The school's team currently competes in the Southern Conference. They are currently led by head coach Bob Richey and play their home games at the Timmons Arena. In 2018, the Paladins entered the College Basketball AP Poll for the first time in program history, coming in at number 23 on December 10. Furman made an appearance in the NCAA Division I Tournament in 2023 after having last appeared in 1980, the 43-year absence being the 15th longest drought in NCAA Division I Tournament history. During that tournament Furman would upset 4-seeded Virginia in the first round.

Contents

Season-by-season results

Postseason

NCAA Division I Tournament results

The Paladins have appeared in the NCAA Division I Tournament seven times. Their combined record is 2–8.

YearSeedRoundOpponentResult
1971 First RoundFordhamL 74–105
1973 First RoundSyracuseL 82–83
1974 First Round
Sweet Sixteen
Regional 3rd Place Game
South Carolina
Pittsburgh
Providence
W 75–67
L 78–81
L 83–95
1975 First RoundBoston CollegeL 76–82
1978 3QFirst Round(1L) IndianaL 62–63
1980 10First Round(7) TennesseeL 69–80
2023 13First Round
Second Round
(4) Virginia
(5) San Diego State
W 68–67
L 52–75

NIT results

The Paladins have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) 3 times. Their combined record is 0–3.

YearRoundOpponentResult
1991 First RoundWest VirginiaL 67–86
2019 First RoundWichita StateL 70–76
2025 First RoundNorth TexasL 64–75

CIT results

The Paladins have appeared in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) three times. Their combined record is 3W–3L.

YearRoundOpponentResult
2011 First RoundEast Tennessee StateL 63–76
2016 First Round
Second Round
Louisiana–Monroe
Louisiana–Lafayette
W 58–57
L 72–80
2017 First Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
USC Upstate
Campbell
Saint Peter's
W 79–57
W 79–64
L 51–77

Retired numbers

Furman has retired six jersey numbers.

Furman Paladins retired numbers
No.PlayerCareer
25 Jonathan Moore 1976–1980
27 Nield Gordon 1951–1953
28 Frank Selvy 1951–1954
33 Darrell Floyd 1953–1956
34 Clyde Mayes 1972–1975
50 Jerry Smith 1960–1963

Notable players

References

  1. "Graphic Design Guide" . Retrieved April 8, 2016.