California Baptist Lancers men's basketball

The California Baptist Lancers men's basketball team represents California Baptist University in the Western Athletic Conference. The team made the jump into Division I basketball on July 1, 2018. They are currently led by head coach Rick Croy and play at the Fowler Events Center, which opened in 2017 and replaced the Van Dyne Gym.[2] The men's basketball program was ineligible to play in the NCAA Division I Tournament during their transition period, although they were eligible for other tournaments such as the College Basketball Invitational. The 2022-23 season was the 1st season the Lancers were eligible for the NCAA tournament.

California Baptist Lancers men's basketball
2024–25 California Baptist Lancers men's basketball team
UniversityCalifornia Baptist University
Head coachRick Croy (12th season)
ConferenceWestern Athletic Conference
LocationRiverside, California
ArenaFowler Events Center
(capacity: 6,000)
NicknameLancers
ColorsNavy blue and gold[1]
   
NCAA tournament Elite Eight
2018*
NCAA tournament Sweet Sixteen
2015*, 2018*
NCAA tournament round of 32
2015*, 2016*, 2017*, 2018*
NCAA tournament appearances
2014*, 2015*, 2016*, 2017*, 2018*
*at Division II level
Conference tournament champions
Pacific West: 2016
Conference regular season champions
Pacific West: 2014, 2016

History

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The men's basketball program began playing at the NAIA level in 1969 and stayed at that level until 2010, competing in the Golden State Athletic Conference. In 2010, California Baptist Lancers moved up in all sports to the NCAA Division II, joining the Pacific West Conference in all sports on July 1, 2011. In January 2017, the California Baptist Lancers announced their transition to NCAA Division I, joining the Western Athletic Conference on July 1, 2018, in all sports. The school became eligible for the NCAA Division I postseason tournament in the 2022–23 season.[3]

Postseason results

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College Basketball Invitational (CBI) results

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The Lancers have appeared in the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) twice. Their record is 0–2.

Year Seed Round Opponent Result
2019 First round Loyola Marymount L 55–56
2022 #15 First round Middle Tennessee L 58–64

NCAA Division II tournament results

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The Lancers have appeared in 5 NCAA Division II Tournaments. Their combined record is 7–5.

Year Round Opponent Result
2014 Regional Quarterfinals Chico State L 71–77
2015 Regional Quarterfinals
Regional semifinals
Regional Finals
Chico State
Seattle Pacific
Azusa Pacific
W 67–61
W 78–77
L 79–91
2016 Regional Quarterfinals
Regional semifinals
Cal Poly Pomona
UC San Diego
W 70–63
L 69–71
2017 Regional Quarterfinals
Regional semifinals
San Francisco State
UC San Diego
W 71–50
L 80–84
2018 Regional Quarterfinals
Regional semifinals
Regional Finals
Elite Eight
UC San Diego
Azusa Pacific
Western Oregon
Queens
W 81–67
W 72–68
W 80–76
L 94–100

NAIA tournament results

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Year Seed Round Opponent Result
1976 10 First round
Second Round
Husson
Lincoln Memorial
W 95–81
L 78–107
2005 First round
Second Round
# 13 Lubbock Christian
# 4 Robert Morris (IL)
W 77–66
L 71–105
2007 First round # 12 Lubbock Christian L 77–105
2008 10 First round
Second Round
Xavier (LA)
Oklahoma City
W 77–69
L 63–69

See also

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References

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  1. ^ CBU Athletics Updated Branding Guide (PDF). July 22, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  2. ^ Robin, Brian (November 10, 2017). "New Cal Baptist University arena in Riverside impresses on opening day". The Press-Enterprise. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  3. ^ Wellman, Sammi (January 13, 2017). "CBU Announces D1, WAC Move". cbulancers.com. Retrieved April 17, 2018.