
The Davidson Wildcats are the NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics teams representing Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina. Davidson's basketball team first rose to prominence in the 1960s under Coach Lefty Driesell, when they were ranked No. 1 in the country by Sports Illustrated prior to the 1964–65 season. The Wildcats have since appeared in 15 NCAA Tournaments, advancing to the Elite Eight in 2008, where they lost to the eventual champions, Kansas Jayhawks, by just two points. Davidson College currently competes in the Atlantic 10 Conference and offers ten men's and nine women's NCAA-sanctioned sports.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Division | I |
| College | Davidson College |
| Location | Davidson, North Carolina, USA |
| Team Name | Wildcats |
| Conference | Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10) |
| Previous Conference | Southern Conference |
| Tournament Appearances | 15 |
| Tournament Record | 8-16 |
| ESPN Ranking | #44 Basketball Program (1962-2012) |
| Notable Coaches | Lefty Driesell, Matt McKillop, Matt Doherty, Terry Holland, Larry Brown, Jim Larrañaga |
| Notable Players | Stephen Curry, Jake Cohen, Jón Axel Guðmundsson |
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What You'll Learn
- The Davidson Wildcats basketball team represents Davidson College, North Carolina
- The team competes in the NCAA Division I and the Atlantic 10 Conference
- The Wildcats have appeared in 15 NCAA tournaments
- The team is currently coached by Matt McKillop
- The Wildcats' last tournament victory was in 2008 over Wisconsin

The Davidson Wildcats basketball team represents Davidson College, North Carolina
The Davidson Wildcats basketball team represents Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina, in the NCAA Division I. The Wildcats compete in the Atlantic 10 Conference and play their home games at the Belk Arena in Baker Sports Complex on the school's campus.
Davidson's basketball team first achieved significant success in the 1960s under Coach Lefty Driesell. During this period, they racked up seven 20-win seasons in an eight-year span, and the 1964-65 team was ranked No. 1 in the country by Sports Illustrated. The Wildcats have since appeared in 15 NCAA Tournaments, most recently in 2022, and have a combined record of 8-16. In 2008, they advanced to the Elite Eight, narrowly missing out on the Final Four after a close game against the Kansas Jayhawks.
The Wildcats are currently coached by Matt McKillop, who succeeded his father, Bob, after the 2021-22 season. Notable alumni of the basketball program include Stephen Curry, who gained national prominence during Davidson's 2008 NCAA Tournament run, and Fred Hetzel, a former NBA No. 1 pick.
The Davidson Wildcats pride themselves on academic excellence as well as athletic success, with athletics being an integral part of the educational experience at Davidson College. The college supports its scholar-athletes in their pursuit of academic and athletic excellence, with over 80% of students actively involved in sports and one in four playing at the Division I level.
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The team competes in the NCAA Division I and the Atlantic 10 Conference
The Davidson Wildcats are the NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics teams representing Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina. Davidson College sponsors teams in ten men's and nine women's NCAA Division I sanctioned sports. The Wildcats previously competed in the Southern Conference.
Davidson's basketball team first achieved significant success in the 1960s under Coach Lefty Driesell. Sports Illustrated ranked the team as the best in the country before the 1964–65 season. The Wildcats have competed in 11 NCAA Division I tournaments, with their most recent appearance in 2022. They have appeared in one College Basketball Invitational, with a record of 1-1.
The Davidson Wildcats currently compete in the Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10), which is part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division I. The Wildcats have had notable success in this conference, with recent wins against St. Bonaventure and Richmond.
The Wildcats play their home games at the Belk Arena in Baker Sports Complex on the school's campus. The team is currently coached by Matt McKillop, who succeeded his father Bob after the 2021–22 season. Davidson's basketball program has produced several notable players, including NBA star Stephen Curry, who entered Davidson's athletic hall of fame and had his number retired in 2022.
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The Wildcats have appeared in 15 NCAA tournaments
The Davidson Wildcats basketball team represents Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina, in the NCAA. The team competes in the NCAA Division I and the Atlantic 10 Conference. Davidson College athletes compete in NCAA Division I athletics in 21 varsity sports.
The Wildcats have also appeared in nine National Invitation Tournaments, with a combined record of 3-9. They have participated in one College Basketball Invitational, with a record of 1-1. ESPN ranked Davidson as the 44th best Basketball Program out of 309 Division I programs from 1962 to 2012. The ranking was based on the team's on-court accomplishments during that period.
The Wildcats were a powerhouse in the 1960s, with seven 20-win seasons in an eight-year span. The 1964-65 team was AP preseason No. 4 and included future NBA No. 1 pick Fred Hetzel. Since 2005, they have won nine combined conference titles. The team's current coach, Matt McKillop, is in his third season after taking over from his father, Bob, following the 2021-22 season.
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The team is currently coached by Matt McKillop
The Davidson Wildcats basketball team represents Davidson College in North Carolina and competes in the NCAA Division I. The team is currently coached by Matt McKillop, who is in his third season. McKillop was born in 1983 on Long Island while his father, Bob McKillop, was coaching Long Island Lutheran High. He grew up in the Carolinas and graduated from Davidson College in 2006. As a player, McKillop was a three-year starter at Davidson, averaging 8.2 points per game and making two NCAA Tournament appearances.
Following his graduation, McKillop signed to play professional basketball in the Czech Republic but suffered a knee injury. He then transitioned into coaching, starting as an assistant coach at Emory University in 2008. After a year, he returned to Davidson as an assistant to his father, who was the head coach at the time. During his time as an assistant, McKillop was involved in various aspects of the program, including recruiting, scheduling, video editing, analytics, and community involvement. He was promoted to associate head coach in 2016.
In 2022, Bob McKillop retired after 33 years as the head coach of the Wildcats, and Matt McKillop was named his successor. In his first season as head coach, Matt McKillop led the team to a 16-16 record, with notable wins over South Carolina and San Francisco. He has helped Davidson achieve numerous successes, including wins over crosstown rivals and advancing to postseason play multiple times.
McKillop takes a science-based approach to coaching, which sets him apart from his father's style. His unique approach has contributed to the team's accomplishments and their pursuit of athletic excellence. Davidson College supports its athletic teams, with over 80% of students actively involved in sports, showcasing the integral role athletics plays in the educational experience at the college.
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The Wildcats' last tournament victory was in 2008 over Wisconsin
The Davidson Wildcats basketball team represents Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina, in the NCAA Division I. The Wildcats have competed in 11 NCAA tournaments, with their last tournament victory in 2008 over Wisconsin. This win propelled them to the Elite Eight, where they lost to the Kansas Jayhawks, who went on to become champions.
The Davidson Wildcats have a rich history in NCAA Division I athletics, competing in 21 varsity sports. Their basketball team first rose to prominence in the 1960s under Coach Lefty Driesell, and they have since appeared in 15 NCAA Tournaments. The Wildcats' 2008 victory over Wisconsin was particularly significant as it marked their advancement to the Elite Eight.
The 2008 season was also notable for the rise of Stephen Curry, who gained national prominence during this time. Curry went on to become a pivotal figure in the Wildcats' success, leading the nation in scoring during the 2008-2009 season. His achievements were recognized with the retirement of his jersey, and he was inducted into Davidson's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2022.
The Wildcats' consistent success can be attributed to strong coaching leadership. Under the guidance of Coach Bob McKillop, the team has posted numerous winning seasons. The current coach, Matt McKillop, who succeeded his father, Bob, after the 2021-22 season, aims to continue this winning tradition.
The Wildcats' victory over Wisconsin in 2008 remains a memorable moment in the team's history, showcasing their resilience and determination on the road to the Elite Eight. This win serves as a testament to the program's ability to compete at the highest levels and inspire future generations of Davidson basketball players.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Davidson College is a Division 1 school. Davidson's basketball team first reached considerable success in the 1960s under Coach Lefty Driesell.
Davidson College basketball is in NCAA Division 1. The team is currently coached by Matt McKillop and plays its home games at the Belk Arena in Baker Sports Complex.
Davidson College basketball currently competes in the Atlantic 10 Conference. They previously competed in the Southern Conference.
The Davidson Wildcats men's basketball team has competed in 11 or 15 NCAA tournaments, depending on the source. Their combined record is 8-16.
Notable Davidson College basketball players include Stephen Curry, Jake Cohen, and Jón Axel Guðmundsson.











































