Davidson Wildcats
2023–24 Davidson Wildcats men's basketball team
UniversityDavidson College
Head coachMatt McKillop (2nd season)
ConferenceAtlantic 10
LocationDavidson, North Carolina
ArenaJohn M. Belk Arena
(Capacity: 5,223)
NicknameWildcats
Student sectionD-Block
ColorsRed and black[1]
   
Uniforms
Home jersey
Team colours
Home
Away jersey
Team colours
Away


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, 2022
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, 2022

The Davidson Wildcats basketball team is the basketball team that represents Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina, in the NCAA. 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 2022. The Wildcats are currently coached by Matt McKillop, in his first season after succeeding his father Bob after the 2021–22 season. Davidson plays its home games at the Belk Arena in Baker Sports Complex on the school's campus.

Conference affiliations

Postseason

NCAA tournament results

The Wildcats have appeared in 15 NCAA Tournaments. Their combined record is 8–16.

Year Round Opponent Result
1966First Round
Sweet Sixteen
Regional third place Game
Rhode Island
Syracuse
Saint Joseph's
W 95–68
L 78–94
L 76–92
1968First Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
St. John's
Columbia
North Carolina
W 79–70
W 61–59OT
L 66–70
1969First Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Villanova
St. John's
North Carolina
W 75–61
W 79–69
L 85–87
1970First RoundSt. BonaventureL 72–85
1986First RoundKentuckyL 55–75
1998First RoundMichiganL 61–80
2002First RoundOhio StateL 64–69
2006First RoundOhio StateL 62–70
2007First RoundMarylandL 70–82
2008First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Gonzaga
Georgetown
Wisconsin
Kansas
W 82–76
W 74–70
W 73–56
L 57–59
2012Second RoundLouisvilleL 62–69
2013Second RoundMarquetteL 58–59
2015Second RoundIowaL 52–83
2018First RoundKentuckyL 73–78
2022First Round#7 Michigan StateL 73–74

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 57–59. 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] Stephen Curry, who has since become a two-time NBA MVP with the Golden State Warriors, was the leading scorer of this team.

NIT results

The Wildcats have appeared in nine National Invitation Tournaments. Their combined record is 3–9.

Year Round Opponent Result
1972First RoundSyracuseL 77–81
1994First RoundWest VirginiaL 69–85
1996First RoundSouth CarolinaL 73–100
2005Opening Round
First Round
Second Round
VCU
SW Missouri State
Maryland
W 77–62
W 82–71
L 63–78
2009First Round
Second Round
South Carolina
Saint Mary's
W 70–63
L 68–80
2014First RoundMissouriL 77–85
2016First RoundFlorida StateL 74–84
2019First RoundLipscombL 81–89
2021First RoundNC StateL 61–75

CBI results

The Wildcats have appeared in one College Basketball Invitational. Their record is 1–1.

Year Round Opponent Result
2011First Round
Quarterfinals
James Madison
Creighton
W 85–65
L 92–102

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."

Players

Retired numbers

Per athletic department policy, number and/or jersey retirement is reserved for players who have earned bachelor's degrees at Davidson. While six players have had jerseys retired, Stephen Curry is the first to have his number retired. Curry qualified after completing his bachelor's degree in May 2022. During the retirement ceremony held on August 31, 2022, Curry not only had his number retired, but also entered Davidson's athletic hall of fame and physically received his Davidson diploma.[5][6]

Davidson Wildcats retired numbers
No. Player Pos. Tenure No. ret. Ref.
30
Stephen CurryPG2006–20092022[7]

Retired jerseys

Honored, but numbers are still active:

No. Player Tenure
10
Dick Snyder1963–1966
11
Derek Rucker1984–1988
21
Hobby Cobb1952–1956
33
John Gerdy1975–1979
42
Terry Holland1961–1964
42
Fred Hetzel1962–1965

All-Americans

Player Year(s) Team(s)
Fred Hetzel1964Consensus Second TeamAP (2nd), NABC (2nd), UPI (3rd)
1965Consensus First TeamAP (1st), USBWA (1st), NABC (1st), UPI (1st)
Dick Snyder1966Consensus Second TeamAP (2nd), USBWA (1st), UPI (2nd)
Mike Maloy1969Consensus Second TeamAP (2nd), USBWA (1st), NABC (3rd), UPI (3rd)
1970AP (3rd), NABC (3rd), UPI (3rd)
Stephen Curry2008Consensus Second TeamAP (2nd), Sporting News (2nd)
2009Consensus First TeamAP (1st), USBWA (1st), NABC (1st), Sporting News (1st)

Wildcats in the NBA/ABA

Player Years active Teams Highlights
Stephen Curry2009–presentGolden State WarriorsNBA champion (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022); 2× NBA Most Valuable Player (2015, 2016); NBA Finals MVP (2022); 9× NBA All-Star (20142019, 20212023)
Fred Hetzel1965–1971San Francisco Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks, Cincinnati Royals, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles LakersTop overall pick in the 1965 NBA draft
Rod Knowles1968–1969Phoenix Suns, New York Nets
Mike Maloy1970–1973Virginia Squires, Dallas Chaparrals
Dick Snyder1966–1979St. Louis Hawks, Phoenix Suns, Seattle SuperSonics, Cleveland CavaliersNBA champion (1979)
Brandon Williams1997–2003Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, Atlanta Hawks

Wildcats playing in international leagues

Players in Davidson Athletics Hall of Fame

  • G.F."Red" Laird three sports, about 1923 inducted this year

Coaches in Davidson Athletics Hall of Fame

References

  1. "General Info" (PDF). 2021-22 Davidson Wildcats Men's Basketball Media Guide. November 12, 2021. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
  2. "Forde: Davidson's novel concept -- students first". ESPN.com. March 27, 2008.
  3. "2018-19 Men's College Basketball Rankings for Week 14". ESPN.
  4. "Men's College Basketball Blog". ESPN.com.
  5. "Curry to be Honored, Enshrined at Davidson in August" (Press release). Davidson Wildcats. June 17, 2022. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  6. "Davidson to retire Stephen Curry's No. 30 in August ceremony following Golden State Warriors star's graduation". ESPN.com. June 17, 2022. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  7. Davidson College will retire Steph Curry's No. 30 jersey by Cydney Henderson at USA TODAY, 17 Jun 2022
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