Ayrton Oneill
California Baptist University's basketball team, the Lancers, play Division I basketball as part of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). The men's basketball team first made the jump to Division I in 2018, while the women's team completed their transition to Division I in 2023. California Baptist University is one of 26 Division I colleges in California, which include the University of California – Berkeley and the University of Southern California.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| California Baptist Lancers men's basketball team | California Baptist University |
| Lancers women's basketball team | California Baptist University |
| Division | I |
| Year of transition to Division I | 2018 |
| Head coach, men's team | Rick Croy |
| Head coach, women's team | Jarrod Olson |
| Home stadium | Fowler Events Center |
| Previous division | Division II |
| Previous stadium | Van Dyne Gym |
| Conference | Western Athletic Conference (WAC) |
| Other conferences | Big West Conference (joining in 2026), West Coast Conference (WCC), Golden Coast Conference (GCC), Big 12 Conference |
| Number of intercollegiate varsity sports | 19 |
| Number of D1 colleges in California | 26 |
| Top-ranked D1 colleges in California | University of California – Berkeley, University of Southern California (USC) |
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What You'll Learn
California Baptist Lancers men's basketball team
The California Baptist Lancers men's basketball team represents California Baptist University in Riverside, California, in intercollegiate sports as a member of Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The Lancers compete in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) and are currently led by head coach Rick Croy. The team plays at the Fowler Events Center, which opened in 2017 and replaced the Van Dyne Gym.
The California Baptist Lancers men's basketball team has come a long way since its early days. The program began playing at the NAIA level in 1969 and stayed at that level until 2010, competing in the Golden State Athletic Conference. During this time, the Lancers established themselves as a competitive force in the NAIA, laying the foundation for their future success. In 2010, the Lancers took a significant step forward by moving up to the NCAA Division II and joining the Pacific West Conference in all sports the following year. This transition marked a new chapter in the team's history, as they sought to test themselves against tougher opposition.
On July 1, 2018, the California Baptist Lancers men's basketball team made the jump to Division I basketball, joining the Western Athletic Conference in all sports. This move signaled the program's ambition and commitment to excellence. However, the transition came with challenges. During the transition period, the Lancers were ineligible to participate in the NCAA Division I Tournament, but they remained resilient and focused on their long-term goals. They took part in other tournaments, such as the College Basketball Invitational, using these opportunities to develop and refine their skills.
The 2022-23 season was a landmark moment for the California Baptist Lancers men's basketball team. After years of hard work and dedication, they finally became eligible to compete in the NCAA Division I Tournament. This marked a new era for the program, as they could now showcase their talents on the biggest stage in collegiate basketball. The Lancers' journey to Division I status showcases their perseverance and determination to succeed. It is a testament to the coaching staff, athletes, and the university's support, solidifying their place among the nation's top basketball programs.
The California Baptist Lancers men's basketball team has a rich history and a bright future ahead. With their dedication, talent, and unwavering spirit, the Lancers will undoubtedly continue to make their university and community proud. As they forge ahead, the Lancers carry with them the legacy of their past achievements, using them as a springboard to reach even greater heights in the world of collegiate basketball.
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California Baptist Lancers women's basketball team
The California Baptist Lancers women's basketball team represents California Baptist University in Riverside, California, in intercollegiate sports as a member of Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The Lancers compete in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), having made the jump to Division I on July 1, 2018, and became eligible for the NCAA Division I postseason tournament in the 2022-23 season.
The Lancers have had some notable results in recent years. For example, JuJu Watkins hit a school record and career-high nine 3-pointers and scored 40 points as Southern California routed Cal Baptist 94-52. In another game, Kiki Rice scored 20 points, Gabriela Jaquez added 17, and UCLA cruised to an 84-55 victory over California Baptist in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
The California Baptist Lancers women's basketball team competes in a range of intercollegiate varsity sports, including basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, stunt, swimming and diving, track (distance), volleyball, and water polo. The team's success has led to their recognition as a prominent athletic program within California Baptist University.
The Lancers women's basketball team has experienced a successful athletic history, with their transition to Division I being a significant milestone. The team's eligibility for the NCAA Division I Tournament has provided opportunities for competitive gameplay and exposure on a broader platform. The Lancers women's basketball team continues to represent California Baptist University proudly in intercollegiate athletics, striving for excellence and leaving a lasting legacy.
California Baptist University's women's basketball team is an integral part of the university's athletic program, fostering a culture of competition and sportsmanship. The team's dedication and talent have earned them recognition, and they continue to strive for success in Division I of the NCAA.
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Transition to Division I
The California Baptist Lancers men's basketball team made the transition to Division I basketball on July 1, 2018, joining the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) in all sports. The team, led by head coach Rick Croy, plays at the Fowler Events Center, which opened in 2017.
The California Baptist Lancers women's basketball team also competes as members of Division I WAC. Led by head coach Jarrod Olson, the team plays at the Fowler Events Center. In the 2020-21 season, the Lancers won the WAC regular-season championship with a perfect 14-0 record. Despite their success, they were ineligible for the NCAA tournament during their four-year transition from Division II. In the 2023-24 season, the Lancers earned their first NCAA appearance as a Division I school.
The California Baptist Lancers men's basketball team began playing at the NAIA level in 1969 and remained there until 2010. They then moved up to the NCAA Division II, joining the Pacific West Conference on July 1, 2011. During their transition to Division I, the Lancers were ineligible to play in the NCAA Division I Tournament but could participate in other tournaments, such as the College Basketball Invitational. The 2022-23 season was the first in which the Lancers were eligible for the NCAA tournament.
The Lancers have a rich history in intercollegiate sports, with the men's and women's teams competing in 19 varsity sports. The men's water polo team competes in the West Coast Conference (WCC), while the women's team competes in the Golden Coast Conference (GCC). Additionally, the men's wrestling team competes in the Big 12 Conference. California Baptist University will be joining the Big West Conference in 2026.
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Western Athletic Conference
The California Baptist Lancers men's basketball team represents California Baptist University in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). The Lancers made the jump into Division I basketball on July 1, 2018, and became eligible for the NCAA Division I postseason tournament in the 2022-23 season.
The WAC is an NCAA Division I conference founded in 1962. It will rebrand in 2026 as the United Athletic Conference (UAC) and become an all-sports conference. A total of 43 institutions have been full members of the WAC, spanning 15 states in the western United States. The conference expanded from its original six members to a peak of 16 in 1996. However, after seven institutions seceded in 1998 to form the Mountain West Conference, the WAC struggled to maintain its top-level football conference and ultimately discontinued the sport after the 2012-13 season.
In recent years, the WAC has undergone several changes in its membership. In 2019, for example, the University of Missouri–Kansas City announced it would leave the WAC to join the Summit League, while Tarleton State University of Division II announced it would move to Division I and join the WAC. In 2021, the WAC announced its intention to reinstate football as a conference-sponsored sport at the FCS level and add five new members to the conference in all sports, including football.
The WAC's three remaining members for its final year of competition (2025-26) are Abilene Christian University, Tarleton State University, and the University of Texas Arlington. These institutions will join the five football-playing members of the ASUN to form the new UAC.
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NCAA tournament eligibility
The California Baptist Lancers men's basketball team represents California Baptist University in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). The team made the transition to Division I basketball on July 1, 2018, and became eligible for the NCAA Division I postseason tournament in the 2022-23 season.
The selection process for college basketball's NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments determines which teams will enter the tournaments and their seedings and matchups in the knockout bracket. Currently, 31 teams automatically qualify by winning their conference championships. The remaining teams rely on the selection committee to award them an at-large bid.
The committee considers several factors when selecting and seeding teams, including:
- Quality of wins and losses: The NCAA uses a "quadrant" system to classify individual wins and losses based on the location of the game and the ranking of the opponent.
- Strength of schedule: The committee values competition against strong opponents while also considering the importance of winning games.
- Home/Away record: The committee applies a multiplier to account for home court advantage, incentivizing teams to schedule challenging away games.
- Performance with and without key players: The committee may consider a team's performance in the absence of a key player, such as a star athlete or coach.
- Strength of conference and non-conference schedule: The committee evaluates the strength of a team's conference and non-conference opponents.
- Record against other selected tournament teams: The committee considers a team's performance specifically against other tournament-caliber opponents.
Additionally, the committee selects four additional teams, the "First Four Out," who do not qualify for the tournament but are placed as top seeds in the National Invitation Tournament. The selection process primarily takes place on Selection Sunday, with brackets and seeds announced to the public shortly after.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, California Baptist University's basketball team, the Lancers, moved to Division I in July 2018.
California Baptist University's basketball team competes in the Division I Western Athletic Conference (WAC).
California Baptist University's basketball team became eligible for the NCAA Division I Tournament in the 2022-23 season.
