Sam Houston Bearkats men's basketball

Sam Houston Bearkats
Sam Houston Bearkats
	2023–24 Sam Houston Bearkats men's basketball team
University	Sam Houston State University
Head coach	Chris Mudge (1st 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

Last updated March 17, 2024

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

Related Research Articles

Sam Houston State University is a public research university in Huntsville, Texas. Founded in 1879, it is the third-oldest public college or university in Texas. It is one of the first normal schools west of the Mississippi River and the first in Texas. The school is named for Sam Houston, who made his home in the city and is buried there.

Bernard Johnson Coliseum is a 6,110-seat multi-purpose arena on the campus of Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. It was built in 1976 and is home to the Sam Houston Bearkats men's and women's basketball teams, as well as the Bearkats women's volleyball team. Originally named the University Coliseum, it was renamed in 1986 for longtime Board of Trustees member Bernard G. Johnson of Houston. It hosted the Southland Conference men's basketball tournament in 2003. It was also home to XWO Reborn, a professional wrestling organization that promoted shows throughout south Texas.

The Sam Houston Bearkats are the intercollegiate athletic teams that represent Sam Houston State University, located in Huntsville, Texas. Sam Houston's colors are orange and white. Sam Houston sports teams participate in NCAA Division I in Conference USA (CUSA), having joined that conference on July 1, 2023 after spending 34 years in the Southland Conference and two years in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). SHSU's primary rival is Stephen F. Austin (SFA) and tensions between the two schools can run high before major sporting events that pit one against the other.

The Sam Houston State Bearkats baseball team is a varsity intercollegiate athletic team of Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, United States. The team is currently a member of Conference USA, an athletic conference in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The team plays its home games at Don Sanders Stadium.

The Sam Houston Bearkats football program is the intercollegiate American football team for Sam Houston State University located in the U.S. state of Texas. The team competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) as a member of the Conference USA. Sam Houston's first football team was fielded in 1912. The team plays its home games at the 12,593-seat Bowers Stadium in Huntsville, Texas. On January 23, 2014, K. C. Keeler was named the 15th head coach in Sam Houston program history.

Jason Trey Hooten is the head coach of the New Mexico State University men's basketball program as of March 24, 2023. Hooten was previously head coach at Sam Houston State University for 13 seasons. And was an assistant coach for there for the previous six years, before being named as the Bearkats' head men's basketball coach on April 2, 2010. In his time with the Bearkats, Hooten had a 261-169 record and six 20-plus victory seasons.

The Sam Houston Bearkats softball team represents Sam Houston State University in NCAA Division I college softball. The team participates in Conference USA. The Bearkats are currently led by head coach Garrett Valis. The team plays its home games at the Bearkat Softball Complex located on the university's campus.

The Sam Houston Bearkats women's basketball team is the women's basketball team that represents Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. The Bearkats are members of Conference USA. Sam Houston joined the Western Athletic Conference on July 1, 2021 after playing the previous 34 seasons in the Southland Conference, the Bearkats played in the WAC until the conclusion of the 2023 season. The Bearkats are currently coached by Ravon Justice.

The 2013–14 Sam Houston State Bearkats men's basketball team represented Sam Houston State University during the 2013–14 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Bearkats, led by fourth year head coach Jason Hooten, played their home games at the Bernard Johnson Coliseum and were members of the Southland Conference. They finished the season 24–11, 13–5 in Southland play to finish in third place. They advanced to the championship game of the Southland Conference tournament where they lost to Stephen F. Austin. They were invited to the CollegeInsider.com Tournament where they defeated Alabama State in the first round before losing in the second round to San Diego.

The 2016–17 Sam Houston State Bearkats men's basketball team represented Sam Houston State University during the 2016–17 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Bearkats, led by seventh-year head coach Jason Hooten, played their home games at the Bernard Johnson Coliseum in Huntsville, Texas as members of the Southland Conference. They finished the season 21–13, 10–8 in Southland play to finish in a tie for fifth place. They defeated Central Arkansas and Houston Baptist to advance to the semifinals of the Southland tournament where they lost to New Orleans. Despite having 21 wins, they did not participate in a postseason tournament.

The 2017–18 Sam Houston State Bearkats women's basketball team represented Sam Houston State University during the 2017–18 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. The Bearkats, led by twelfth year head coach Brenda Welch-Nichols, played their home games at the Bernard Johnson Coliseum and were members of the Southland Conference. They finished the season 4–23, 1–17 in Southland play to finish in thirteenth place. They failed to qualify for the Southland women's tournament.

The 2018–19 Sam Houston State Bearkats men's basketball team represent Sam Houston State University during the 2018–19 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Bearkats are led by ninth-year head coach Jason Hooten and play their home games at the Bernard Johnson Coliseum in Huntsville, Texas as members of the Southland Conference. They finished the season 21-12, 16-2 in Southland play to finish in 1st place. As the No. 1 seed in the Southland tournament, they lost to New Orleans in the semifinals. They received an automatic bid to the NIT where they lost in the first round to TCU.

The 2018–19 Sam Houston State Bearkats women's basketball team represented Sam Houston State University during the 2018–19 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. The Bearkats, led by first year head coach Ravon Justice, played their home games at the Bernard Johnson Coliseum as members of the Southland Conference. They finished the season 16–13 overall, 11–7 in Southland play to finish in fifth place. As the No. 5 seed in the Southland women's tournament, they were defeated in the first round by Central Arkansas.

The 2019–20 Sam Houston State Bearkats men's basketball team represented Sam Houston State University in the 2019–20 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Bearkats, led by tenth-year head coach Jason Hooten, played their home games at the Bernard Johnson Coliseum in Huntsville, Texas as members of the Southland Conference. They finished the season 18–13, 11–9 in Southland play to finish in a tie for fourth place. They were set to on Northwestern State in the second round of the Southland tournament until the tournament was cancelled amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2019–20 Sam Houston State Bearkats women's basketball team represented Sam Houston State University during the 2019–20 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. The Bearkats, led by second year head coach Ravon Justice, played their home games at the Bernard Johnson Coliseum as members of the Southland Conference. They finished the season 19–10, 14–6 in Southland play to finish in fourth place. Before they could play in the Southland women's tournament however, the tournament was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The 2020–21 Sam Houston State Bearkats men's basketball team represented Sam Houston State University in the 2020–21 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Bearkats, led by 11th-year head coach Jason Hooten, played their home games at the Bernard Johnson Coliseum in Huntsville, Texas.

The 2021–22 Lamar Lady Cardinals basketball team represented Lamar University during the 2021–22 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. The Lady Cardinals, led by third-year head coach Aqua Franklin, played their home games at the Montagne Center in Beaumont, Texas as members of the Western Athletic Conference.

The 2021–22 Sam Houston State Bearkats women's basketball team represented Sam Houston State University during the 2021–22 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. The Bearkats, led by fourth year head coach Ravon Justice, play their home games at the Bernard Johnson Coliseum as members of the Western Athletic Conference.

The 2021–22 Sam Houston State Bearkats men's basketball team represented Sam Houston State University in the 2021–22 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. They played their home games at the Bernard Johnson Coliseum in Huntsville, Texas and were led by 12th-year head coach Jason Hooten, as first-year members of the Western Athletic Conference.

The 2022–23 Sam Houston Bearkats men's basketball team represented Sam Houston State University in the 2022–23 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Bearkats, led by 13th-year head coach Jason Hooten, played their home games at the Bernard Johnson Coliseum in Huntsville, Texas as second-year members of the Western Athletic Conference. They finished the season 26–8, 14–4 in WAC play to finish in second place. They defeated California Baptist in the quarterfinals of the WAC tournament before losing to Grand Canyon in the semifinals. They received an at-large bid to the National Invitation Tournament. There they defeated Santa Clara before losing to eventual champion North Texas in the second round.

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.

External links

Website

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[1] "Athletic Branding". Sam Houston State University Department of Marketing and Communications. Retrieved May 15, 2021.

[2] "WAC Announces Expedited Entrance for Four Texas Institutions" (Press release). Western Athletic Conference. January 21, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2021.

[SHSUjohnsoncoliseum-3] "Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum". Sam Houston State University. Retrieved 2013-05-14.

[4] "Conference USA welcomes the Bearkats" (Press release). GoBearkats.com. July 1, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.

[SHSUnotes-5] "Sam Houston State Men's Basketball Notes" (PDF). Sam Houston Athletics. Retrieved 2013-05-14.

[6] Mary, Estill. "Men's Gymnasium". The Building of Sam Houston State University. BuildingSHSU.com. Retrieved 30 January 2024.

[7] "Academic Building Three". The Building of Sam Houston State University. BuildingSHSU.com. Retrieved 30 January 2024.

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v t e Sam Houston Bearkats men's basketball
Venues	Sam Houston State Gymnasium (Old Wooden Gym) (1917-56) Bearkat Gymnasium (1956-76) Bernard Johnson Coliseum (1976–present)
Culture & lore	Sammy Bearkat The Famous Bearkat Band
People	Head coaches Statistical leaders
Seasons	List of seasons 1917–18 1918–19 1919–20 1920–21 1921–22 1922–23 1923–24 1924–25 1925–26 1926–27 1927–28 1928–29 1929–30 1930–31 1931–32 1932–33 1933–34 1934–35 1935–36 1936–37 1937–38 1938–39 1939–40 1940–41 1941–42 1942–43 1943–44 1944–45 1945–46 1946–47 1947–48 1948–49 1949–50 1950–51 1951–52 1952–53 1953–54 1954–55 1955–56 1956–57 1957–58 1958–59 1959–60 1960–61 1961–62 1962–63 1963–64 1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69 1969–70 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 2023–24

v t e Conference USA men's basketball
Current teams	FIU Panthers Jacksonville State Gamecocks Liberty Flames Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders New Mexico State Aggies Sam Houston Bearkats UTEP Miners Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Future teams	Kennesaw State Owls (joining in 2024) Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens (joining in 2025)
Championships & awards	Conference USA men's basketball tournament Player of the Year
Seasons	1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23