
The Furman Paladins, representing Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, have a long history in college basketball, competing in NCAA Division I and the Southern Conference (SoCon). In December 2018, the Furman men's basketball team earned its first-ever national ranking, appearing at No. 25 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll. This marked a historic moment for the school, as they started the season with an 8-0 record, including victories over reigning national champion Villanova and Loyola Chicago, a 2018 Final Four participant. Furman's basketball programme has continued to thrive, with a strong reputation for skill, organisation, and competitive spirit, and their men's team was ranked once more in November 2022, again at No. 25 in the AP Top 25 poll.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Has Furman Basketball ever been ranked? | Yes |
| Date of first ranking | 4 December 2018 |
| Ranking | No. 25 in the AP Top 25 Poll |
| Number of wins in a row | 8 |
| Number of wins in the last 16 games | 15 |
| Number of consecutive regular-season wins | 14 |
| Number of wins since 1919-20 | 1374 |
| Number of appearances in the NCAA Tournament | 7 |
| Number of Southern Conference (SoCon) championships | 6-7 |
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What You'll Learn
- In 2018, Furman basketball earned a national ranking for the first time in its history, appearing at No. 25 in the AP Top 25 Poll
- The Furman Paladins represent Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, and compete in NCAA Division I basketball
- Furman's greatest season came in 1973-1974 when they reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament
- The Paladins have won the Southern Conference (SoCon) championship six times
- Furman basketball has been led by tremendous coaches over the years, including Bob Richey, who has been with the team since 2017

In 2018, Furman basketball earned a national ranking for the first time in its history, appearing at No. 25 in the AP Top 25 Poll
In 2018, Furman basketball made history by earning a national ranking for the first time in its 106-year history. The Paladins, Furman's men's basketball team, achieved this feat by starting the season with an 8-0 record, including a double-overtime victory over Western Carolina in the Southern Conference opener. This impressive start to the season earned them the No. 25 spot in the prestigious Associated Press Top 25 poll, a first for any Southern Conference (SoCon) school since Davidson previously held a ranking.
The Paladins' success in the 2018 season was not limited to their victory over Western Carolina. They also stunned the reigning national champion Villanova Wildcats with a score of 76-68 in overtime, showcasing their ability to compete against the nation's best. Additionally, they secured a 60-58 victory over Loyola Chicago, a team that had reached the Final Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament. This win was marked by a last-second dunk by Clay Mounce, adding to the excitement of their early-season success.
Jordan Lyons, a junior player on the team, contributed significantly to the Paladins' historic season. He scored 54 points on November 15, showcasing his exceptional talent and offensive prowess. Lyons' performance, along with the team's overall success, brought Furman men's basketball national media attention, solidifying their place in the national rankings.
The 2018 season marked a turning point for Furman basketball, as they had not previously been nationally ranked in their long history. This achievement highlighted the team's dedication, skill, and competitive spirit, which continued to propel them to success in the years that followed. The Paladins have consistently showcased their combination of skill and discipline, solidifying their reputation as a dominant force in the Southern Conference.
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The Furman Paladins represent Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, and compete in NCAA Division I basketball
The Furman Paladins represent Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, in the United States. The Paladins compete in the NCAA Division I basketball tournament, having appeared seven times with a combined record of 2-8. They play their home games at the Timmons Arena and are currently led by head coach Bob Richey.
In 2018, the Paladins made history by earning their first-ever national ranking, appearing at No. 25 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll. This came after an impressive 8-0 start to the season, including victories over reigning national champion Villanova and Loyola Chicago, a 2018 Final Four participant. Jordan Lyons also contributed to the team's success, scoring 54 points in a game against North Greenville, tying an NCAA Division I record.
The Furman Paladins entered the College Basketball AP Poll for the first time in their program's history on December 10, 2018, ranked 23rd. This was a significant achievement, as it marked the first time in the 106-year history of men's basketball at Furman that they had received a national ranking.
The Paladins have continued to perform well, with notable wins and players excelling. For instance, in 2022, they defeated The Citadel 85-42, with Tom House and Pjay Smith Jr. each scoring 19 points. In the same year, the Paladins earned their first ranking in the Associated Press Top 25 poll, debuting at No. 25. This was the team's first national ranking in its 106-year history, marking a historic moment for Furman University and its basketball program.
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Furman's greatest season came in 1973-1974 when they reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament
Furman University's basketball team, the Paladins, has a long and proud history in college basketball, competing in NCAA Division I and the Southern Conference (SoCon). The team has experienced success and built a strong reputation over the years, with a particular focus on developing well-rounded athletes who excel both on and off the court.
The 1973-1974 season stands out as one of Furman's greatest. The Paladins reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, a feat that has not been repeated since. This success was built on a strong foundation of skill, organisation, and discipline, which characterised the team's play. The 1973-1974 season set a standard for excellence that Furman has continued to strive for and build upon.
The team's success in the 1973-1974 season can be attributed to a combination of talented players, dedicated coaching, and a strong support network. The players demonstrated a high level of athleticism and a well-rounded skill set, which enabled them to execute effective strategies on the court. The coaches played a crucial role in guiding the team, implementing a programme that fostered both player development and competitive excellence.
Additionally, Furman benefited from passionate fan support, particularly during home games at Timmons Arena, where the electric atmosphere fuelled the team's energy and performance. The Sweet 16 appearance in the 1973-1974 season established Furman as a dominant force in the Southern Conference and set the stage for future success. The team has consistently showcased their combination of skill, organisation, and competitive spirit, solidifying their place as one of the premier mid-major programs in college basketball.
While Furman's greatest season may have been in 1973-1974, the university has continued to build on that success. In recent years, the Paladins have once again gained national recognition. In 2018, the team earned its first-ever national ranking, appearing at No. 25 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll. This achievement came during an undefeated start to the season, with victories over notable opponents such as Villanova and Loyola Chicago. Furman's recent success demonstrates that the legacy of excellence established in the 1973-1974 season continues to thrive, and the Paladins remain a force to be reckoned with in college basketball.
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The Paladins have won the Southern Conference (SoCon) championship six times
The Furman Paladins have a rich history in college basketball, competing in NCAA Division I and the Southern Conference (SoCon). In 2018, the Furman men's basketball team made history by earning the school's first-ever national ranking in the Associated Press Top 25 poll, debuting at No. 25. This achievement came after an impressive 8-0 start to the season, including a double-overtime victory over Western Carolina in the Southern Conference opener.
The Paladins have consistently showcased their combination of skill, organisation, and discipline on the court, and their success in the Southern Conference has solidified their reputation as a dominant force in university basketball. Furman's greatest season came in 1973-1974 when they advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
Over the years, the Paladins have won the Southern Conference (SoCon) championship an impressive six times, establishing themselves as one of the premier mid-major programs in the league. This success has been built on a foundation of player development, where Furman places a strong emphasis on cultivating well-rounded athletes who excel both on and off the court.
The team's success can be attributed to the exceptional coaches they have had over the years, who have laid the foundation for long-term success and contributed to their strong conference presence. Furman's basketball programme is known for its combination of player development, competitive excellence, and a well-rounded roster, making them a force to be reckoned with in college basketball.
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Furman basketball has been led by tremendous coaches over the years, including Bob Richey, who has been with the team since 2017
Furman basketball has had a long and illustrious history, with many talented coaches leading the team to success over the years. One notable coach is Bob Richey, who has been with the team since 2011 and took over as head coach in 2017.
Richey's coaching career began at Charleston Southern in 2006, and he joined the Furman staff under Jeff Jackson in 2011 as an assistant coach. In 2017, he was elevated to interim head coach and, after a successful season, became the 22nd head coach in Furman history. Richey is known for prioritising the retention and development of his players rather than simply acquiring talent. This approach has paid off, with the Paladins achieving a school record-tying 23 total victories and 14 Southern Conference wins in his first season as head coach. The team also earned a share of its first Southern Conference regular-season championship in 21 years and a trip to the CollegeInsider.com (CIT) Postseason Tournament semifinals.
Under Richey's guidance, the Furman men's basketball team has continued to thrive. In his second season as head coach, the Paladins achieved an impressive 10-0 start, leading to their first ranking in the AP Poll in program history. The team ultimately achieved 25 wins, the most in school history at the time. Richey has also helped develop several standout players, including Jalen Slawson, who became the first Furman basketball player drafted to the NBA since 1984, and Guard Stephen Croone, who earned consensus SoCon Player of the Year honours in 2016.
In addition to Richey's contributions, Furman basketball has benefited from the leadership of other notable coaches throughout its history. The team has a rich tradition of success, with the men's basketball program receiving significant national media attention on multiple occasions. In 2018, the undefeated Furman men's basketball team made history by earning the school's first national ranking in the Associated Press Top 25 poll, appearing at No. 25. This ranking was a result of the team's impressive performance, including victories over reigning national champion Villanova and Loyola Chicago, a 2018 Final Four participant.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Furman University's basketball team, the Paladins, has been ranked. In 2018, the team earned its first national ranking in the school's history, appearing at No. 25 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll.
The undefeated men's team started the 2018 season with an 8-0 record, including a victory over the reigning national champion, Villanova, and a win against Loyola Chicago, a 2018 Final Four participant. This success resulted in Furman's first national ranking.
The Furman Paladins have established themselves as a dominant force in university basketball, competing in NCAA Division I and the Southern Conference (SoCon). They are known for their combination of skill, organisation, and discipline on the court. The team has a strong conference presence and a passionate fan base.
Furman basketball has had many notable achievements over the years. The Paladins have won the Southern Conference (SoCon) championship seven times and have reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament. In 1973-1974, they advanced to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament. In 2022, the men's team achieved its first 8-0 start in its 106-year history, resulting in their first national ranking.













