Davidson Wildcats men's basketball
The Davidson Wildcats basketball team is the basketball team that represents Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina, in the NCAA Division I. The school's team currently competes in the Atlantic 10 Conference. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 2018. The Wildcats are currently coached by Bob McKillop. Davidson plays its home games at the Belk Arena in Baker Sports Complex on the school's campus.
Davidson Wildcats | |||
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University | Davidson College | ||
Head coach | Bob McKillop (31st season) | ||
Conference | Atlantic 10 | ||
Location | Davidson, North Carolina | ||
Arena | John M. Belk Arena (Capacity: 5,223) | ||
Nickname | Wildcats | ||
Student section | D-Block, Endzone, Section 30 | ||
Colors | Black and Red[1] | ||
Uniforms | |||
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NCAA Tournament Elite Eight | |||
1968, 1969, 2008 | |||
NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen | |||
1966, 1968, 1969, 2008 | |||
NCAA Tournament Appearances | |||
1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1986, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2018 | |||
Conference Tournament Champions | |||
Southern Conference 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1986, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2013 Atlantic 10 2018 | |||
Conference Regular Season Champions | |||
Southern Conference 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1981, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014 Atlantic 10 2015 |
Postseason
NCAA tournament results
The Wildcats have appeared in 14 NCAA Tournaments. Their combined record is 8–15.
Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
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1966 | First Round Sweet Sixteen Regional Third Place Game | Rhode Island Syracuse Saint Joseph's | W 95–68 L 78–94 L 76–92 |
1968 | First Round Sweet Sixteen Elite Eight | St. John's Columbia North Carolina | W 79–70 W 61–59OT L 66–70 |
1969 | First Round Sweet Sixteen Elite Eight | Villanova St. John's North Carolina | W 75–61 W 79–69 L 85–87 |
1970 | First Round | St. Bonaventure | L 72–85 |
1986 | First Round | Kentucky | L 55–75 |
1998 | First Round | Michigan | L 61–80 |
2002 | First Round | Ohio State | L 64–69 |
2006 | First Round | Ohio State | L 62–70 |
2007 | First Round | Maryland | L 70–82 |
2008 | First Round Second Round Sweet Sixteen Elite Eight | Gonzaga Georgetown Wisconsin Kansas | W 82–76 W 74–70 W 73–56 L 57–59 |
2012 | Second Round | Louisville | L 62–69 |
2013 | Second Round | Marquette | L 58–59 |
2015 | Second Round | Iowa | L 52–83 |
2018 | First Round | Kentucky | L 73–78 |
2008 NCAA Tournament
In 2008, Davidson defeated the Gonzaga Bulldogs, Georgetown Hoyas, and Wisconsin Badgers to advance to the Elite Eight. The Wildcats nearly made the Final Four, but lost to the eventual champion Kansas Jayhawks 59–57. Prior to their Sweet Sixteen matchup, the college's board of trustees supplied students with tickets, transportation and lodging for the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight games.[2] Following the tournament, the Wildcats earned a number 9 ranking in the ESPN/USA Today poll.[3] All of this run was due to the play of guard Stephen Curry, who has since become a two-time NBA MVP with the Golden State Warriors.
NIT results
The Wildcats have appeared in eight National Invitation Tournaments. Their combined record is 3–8.
Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
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1972 | First Round | Syracuse | L 81–77 |
1994 | First Round | West Virginia | L 85–69 |
1996 | First Round | South Carolina | L 100–73 |
2005 | Opening Round First Round Second Round | VCU SW Missouri State Maryland | W 77–62 W 82–71 L 78–63 |
2009 | First Round Second Round | South Carolina Saint Mary's | W 70–63 L 80–68 |
2014 | First Round | Missouri | L 85–77 |
2016 | First Round | Florida State | L 84–74 |
2019 | First Round | Lipscomb | L 89–81 |
CBI results
The Wildcats have appeared in one College Basketball Invitational. Their record is 1–1.
Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
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2011 | First Round Quarterfinals | James Madison Creighton | W 85–65 L 102–92 |
ESPN basketball ranking
In a system ranked by ESPN, Davidson was listed as the #44 Basketball Program[4] of the last 50 years (1962–2012) based on its on the court accomplishments during that period. (out of 309 Division I programs that qualified)
"Positives: Under Lefty Driesell, the Wildcats were a powerhouse in the 1960s, racking up seven 20-win seasons in an eight-year span. The ’64–65 team was AP preseason No. 4 and boasted future NBA No. 1 pick Fred Hetzel. Nine combined conference titles (Regular season & Conference Tournaments) since 2005."
Wildcats in the National Basketball Association and Euroleague
- Jake Cohen (American/Israeli professional basketball player for Maccabi Tel Aviv; two-time Southern Conference Player of the Year)
- Fred Hetzel 1st overall pick in 1965 NBA Draft (San Francisco Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks, Cincinnati Royals, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers)
- Rod Knowles (Phoenix Suns)
- Mike Maloy (Virginia Squires (ABA), Dallas Chaparrals (ABA))
- Dick Snyder (St. Louis Hawks, Phoenix Suns, Seattle SuperSonics, Cleveland Cavaliers)
- Brandon Williams (Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, Atlanta Hawks)
- Stephen Curry 7th overall pick in 2009 NBA Draft (Golden State Warriors), 3× NBA champion (2015, 2017 and 2018). Also, two time NBA MVP (only unanimous MVP in NBA history).
Players in Davidson Athletics Hall of Fame
- John Belk ’43
- Charles "Lefty" Driesell
- Fred Hetzel ’65
- Rodney Knowles ’68
- Derek Rucker ’88
- Richard Snyder ’66
John Gerdy’79
- Brandon Williams '96
- Brendan Winters '06
- {G.F."Red" Laird, three sports, about 1923 inducted this year}
References
- 2016–17 Davidson Wildcats Visitors Guide (PDF). September 23, 2016. Retrieved March 5, 2017.
- "Forde: Davidson's novel concept -- students first". ESPN.com. March 27, 2008.
- "2018-19 Men's College Basketball Rankings for Week 14". ESPN.
- "Men's College Basketball Blog". ESPN.com.