Central Arkansas Bears basketball

For information on all University of Central Arkansas sports, see Central Arkansas Bears and Sugar Bears
For information about the Central Arkansas women's team, see Central Arkansas Sugar Bears basketball.
Central Arkansas Bears
2023–24 Central Arkansas Bears basketball team
University University of Central Arkansas
Head coach Anthony Boone (4th season)
Conference ASUN
Location Conway, Arkansas
Arena Farris Center
(Capacity: 6,000)
Nickname Bears
Colors Purple and gray
   
NCAA tournament second round
2005*
NCAA tournament appearances
2005*
*at the Division II level

The Central Arkansas Bears basketball team represents the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) in NCAA Division I men's basketball competition. UCA currently plays in the ASUN Conference, which it joined in 2021 after 15 seasons as a member of the Southland Conference. The Bears play home games at the Farris Center located on the UCA campus in Conway, Arkansas and are currently led by interim head coach Anthony Boone.

The school was formerly known as Arkansas State Teachers School and the State College of Arkansas. Prior to competition at the NCAA Division I level, the Bears also competed in the NAIA and NCAA Division II.

Postseason

NCAA Division II Tournament

Year Round Opponent Result
2005 Regional Quarterfinals
Regional semifinals		 West Georgia
Lynn 		W 74–71
L 69–73

NAIA Tournament

The Bears have appeared in 15 NAIA tournaments. Their combined record is 13–16.

Year Round Opponent Result
1937 Quarterfinals
Semifinals
3rd-place game		 Saint Benedict's
Morningside
Southwestern (KS) 		W 34–33
L 33–40
L 38–46
1938 First round Central State (OK) L 34–43
1940 First round Kansas Wesleyan L 33–45
1942 First round Pittsburg State L 34–37
1946 First round Pepperdine L 37–63
1948 First round Manhattan L 60–65
1959 First round
Second Round		 Pikeville
Fort Hays State 		W 70–67
L 48–59
1961 First round Westminster (PA) L 60–68
1974 First round Hanover L 83–87
1975 First round Alcorn State L 77–88
1980 First round
Second Round
Quarterfinals		 Augsburg
Rockhurst
Alabama State 		W 67–61
W 54–53
L 53–67
1990 First round
Second Round		 Paul Quinn
David Lipscomb 		W 62–53
L 66–70
1991 First round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
National Championship Game		 Olivet Nazarene
Rio Grande
Athens State
Taylor
Oklahoma City 		W 75–66
W 99–67
W 95–64
W 66–60
L 74–77
1992 First round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
National Championship Game		 Charleston (WV)
Spring Hill
Erskine
BYU Hawaiʻi
Oklahoma City 		W 77–70
W 87–83
W 74–62
W 72–65
L 73–82
1993 First round Central Washington L 66–78

CBI results

The Bears have appeared in the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) one time. Their record is 1–1.

Year Round Opponent Result
2018 First round
Quarterfinals		 Seattle
Jacksonville State 		W 92–90OT
L 59–80

Notable players