| Sam Houston Bearkats | |
| Current: | 2023–24 Sam Houston Bearkats men's basketball team |
| University: | Sam Houston State University |
| Location: | Huntsville, Texas |
| Coach: | Chris Mudge |
| Tenure: | 1st |
| Arena: | Bernard Johnson Coliseum |
| Capacity: | 6,110 |
| Nickname: | Bearkats |
| Ncaaroundof32: | 1986* |
| Ncaatourneys: | 1986*, 2003, 2010 *at Division II level |
| Conference Tournament: | Southland 2003, 2010 |
| Conference Season: | C–USA 2024 |
| H Body: | f56423 |
| H Pattern B: | _thinsidesonwhite |
| H Shorts: | f56423 |
| H Pattern S: | _blanksides2 |
| A Body: | f56423 |
| A Pattern B: | _thinwhitesides |
| A Shorts: | f56423 |
| A Pattern S: | _whitesides |
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).[1] 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.[2] On July 1, 2023 the Bearkats joined Conference USA.[3]
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.[4]
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.[5]
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.[6]
The Bearkats have appeared in two NCAA Division I Tournaments. Their combined record is 0–2.
| 15 (S) | First Round | L 55–85 | |||
| 14 (S) | First Round | L 59–68 |
The Bearkats have appeared in two National Invitation Tournament. Their combined record is 1–2.
| First Round | L 69–82 | |||
| First Round Second Round | W 58–56 L 55–75 |
The Bearkats have appeared in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) four times. Their combined record is 4–4.
| First Round Second Round | W 71–49 L 72–77 | |||
| First Round Second Round | W 87–71 L 70–71 | |||
| First Round | L 77–81OT | |||
| Second Round Quarterfinals Semifinals | W 69–62 W 76–69 L 80–99 |
The Bearkats have appeared in one NCAA Division II tournament. Their record is 0–2.
| Regional semifinals Regional 3rd-place game | Delta State Abilene Christian | L 59–61 L 60–76 |
The Bearkats have appeared in one NAIA tournament. Their record is 1–1.
| First round Second Round | Wartburg Xavier (LA) | W 88–62 L 60–67 |