
The Furman Paladins men's basketball team represents Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. The team currently competes in the Southern Conference and has appeared in the NCAA Division I Tournament seven times, most recently in 2023 after a 43-year absence. The Paladins have also had success in other tournaments, appearing in the National Invitation Tournament three times and the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament three times. With a strong history in Division I and other tournaments, the Furman Paladins have established themselves as a competitive force in college basketball.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Team Name | Furman Paladins |
| University | Furman University |
| Location | Greenville, South Carolina, United States |
| League | Southern Conference |
| Head Coach | Bob Richey |
| Home Games Arena | Timmons Arena |
| CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) Appearances | 3 |
| CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) Record | 3W-3L |
| Retired Jersey Numbers | 6 |
| NCAA Division I Tournament Appearances | 7 |
| NCAA Division I Tournament Record | 2-8 |
| National Invitation Tournament (NIT) Appearances | 3 |
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What You'll Learn

The Furman Paladins men's basketball team
In recent years, the Paladins have experienced some notable successes. In 2018, they entered the College Basketball AP Poll for the first time in program history, ranking 23rd. This was followed by an appearance in the NCAA Division I Tournament in 2023, their first appearance since 1980, marking a 43-year absence. During this tournament, they upset the 4-seeded Virginia in the first round. Overall, the Paladins have participated in the NCAA Division I Tournament seven times, with a combined record of 2-8.
The Furman Paladins have also had success in other tournaments. They have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) three times and the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) three times, with a combined record of 3-3 in the latter. The team has retired six jersey numbers, including that of Jordan Loyd, a former NBA player who now plays for Maccabi Tel Aviv of the Israeli Basketball Premier League.
Some notable recent results for the Furman Paladins include a win against Wofford by a score of 78-75, with Pjay Smith Jr. scoring 26 points, including a 3-pointer with 1.1 seconds left. They also defeated The Citadel handily by a score of 85-42, with Tom House and Pjay Smith Jr. each contributing 19 points. However, they suffered a loss to North Texas, with a final score of 75-64, despite strong performances from Jasper Floyd and Atin Wright.
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The team's tournament appearances
The Furman Paladins men's basketball team has made several tournament appearances over the years, including in the NCAA Division I Tournament, the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), and the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT).
The team has appeared in the NCAA Division I Tournament seven times, including in 1980 and most recently in 2023, ending a 43-year drought. In the 2023 tournament, the Paladins upset the 4-seeded Virginia in the first round, marking a significant achievement for the team.
The Furman Paladins have also participated in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) on three occasions. Although the specific years of their NIT appearances are not mentioned, their combined record across these tournaments is 2–8.
Additionally, the team has experienced success in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT), making three appearances with a combined record of 3 wins and 3 losses. This tournament has provided the Furman Paladins with competitive opportunities outside of the regular season and allowed them to showcase their skills and improve their standings.
In the 2022-23 season, the Paladins finished with an impressive 28-8 record, including 15-3 in Southern Conference (SoCon) play. They became the SoCon regular-season champions and defeated Mercer and Western Carolina to advance to the SoCon tournament championship game. Ultimately, they clinched the title, securing their spot in the NCAA tournament.
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Performance in the College Basketball AP Poll
The Furman Paladins men's basketball team represents Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. In 2018, the Paladins entered the College Basketball AP Poll for the first time, ranking 23rd on December 10. They made their seventh appearance in the NCAA Division I Tournament in 2023 after a 43-year absence, upsetting fourth-seeded Virginia in the first round. Their combined record in the tournament is 2-8.
The Paladins have also appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) three times and the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) three times, with a combined record of 3-3.
Furman has consistently ranked in the national top 25 polls, including the NSCAA and media polls, with a peak ranking of fifth. In the 2021-2022 season, assistant strength and conditioning coach Matt Aldred, alongside Scott Murr and Justin Games, conducted research to improve the team's physical performance. Their work involved tracking player progress using force plates to measure jump height and other metrics, with the results published in The American Journal of Sports Science. This research helped the team improve throughout the season and set a record for games won in the NCAA Tournament.
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Home games at the Timmons Arena
The Furman Paladins men's basketball team represents Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, in the United States. The team currently competes in the Southern Conference and is led by head coach Bob Richey. The Paladins play their home games at the Timmons Arena, located on the Furman University campus.
The Timmons Arena is the official home of the Furman Paladins and provides a competitive atmosphere for the team and its fans. The arena is equipped with all the necessary facilities and amenities to host exciting basketball games, and the team's fans are known for their passionate support during home games. The arena typically hosts a full schedule of home games each season, with the dates and times announced in advance on the Furman University athletics website.
Attending a home game at the Timmons Arena offers a unique experience for basketball enthusiasts and Furman University community members. The arena buzzes with energy as the stands fill up with passionate fans, cheering on their beloved Paladins. The home-court advantage is evident as the team feeds off the crowd's enthusiasm, displaying their skills and determination to secure a win.
The atmosphere during home games is often electric, with the student section leading chants and cheers to motivate their team. The arena may also feature entertainment acts, such as halftime shows or themed game nights, to enhance the overall fan experience. The Furman University band and cheerleading squad may also be present, adding to the lively atmosphere and school spirit.
For fans interested in attending a home game at the Timmons Arena, the Furman University athletics website provides a comprehensive guide to game day. It offers information on purchasing tickets, parking options, and arena regulations. Additionally, the website may feature promotions or special events associated with specific games, allowing fans to plan their game day experience accordingly.
The Furman Paladins men's basketball team has a rich history, having appeared in the NCAA Division I Tournament seven times, including an upset victory over 4-seeded Virginia in 2023. With a talented squad and dedicated fan base, home games at the Timmons Arena promise thrilling basketball action and a memorable experience for all in attendance.
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Former NBA player Jordan Loyd
The Furman Paladins men's basketball team represents Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. The team currently competes in the Southern Conference and plays its home games at the Timmons Arena. Furman has appeared in the NCAA Division I Tournament seven times, most recently in 2023 after a 43-year absence.
In 2017, Loyd joined the Indiana Pacers and Toronto Raptors for the NBA Summer League. The following year, he signed with the Turkish team Darüşşafaka but later opted out of the deal to sign a two-way contract with the Toronto Raptors. He made his NBA debut with the Raptors in 2018 and won a championship with them in 2019, despite not playing in the playoffs or finals. Loyd became known as the "Random Guy in a Suit" due to his presence beside Kawhi Leonard during the Game 7 buzzer beater.
After his time with the Raptors, Loyd played for several international teams, including Hapoel Eilat in Israel, Crvena Zvezda, Zenit Saint Petersburg in Russia, AS Monaco Basket, and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel. He parted ways with Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2024 due to the unstable political situation in the region and returned to AS Monaco. Throughout his career, Loyd has been recognized for his performance, including being named the Israeli League Round 11 MVP in 2018 and the Euroleague Round 2 MVP during his time with Crvena Zvezda.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Furman University's basketball team, the Furman Paladins, plays in the NCAA Division I.
The Furman Paladins last appeared in the NCAA Division I Tournament in 1980 before their appearance in 2023, ending a 43-year absence.
The Paladins have appeared in the NCAA Division I Tournament seven times.
Yes, the Furman Paladins have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) three times and the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) three times.











































