Andrew Pace
Longwood University's basketball team, known as the Lancers, has come a long way since the school's first basketball team was formed by male students after World War II. The Lancers compete at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level as part of the Big South Conference. The men's and women's teams have enjoyed success in recent years, with the men's team winning the Big South Tournament in 2021-2022 and 2024, and the women's team also winning the regular-season title in the same season. Longwood's basketball teams have a rich history and a bright future ahead.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Team Name | Longwood Lancers |
| University | Longwood University |
| Location | Farmville, Virginia |
| Team Colours | Blue and White |
| Mascot | Elwood, a horse |
| Logo | A horse's head atop a lance |
| Fight Song | Hail to Longwood U |
| Number of Teams | 14 men's and women's teams |
| Division | Division I |
| Conference | Big South Conference |
| Previous Divisions | Division III, Division II |
| Previous Conferences | Mason-Dixon Conference, Carolinas-Virginia Athletic Conference |
| Recent Achievements | 2021-2022 Big South regular-season conference championship (North Division), 2022 Big South Tournament titles for men's and women's teams, 2024 Big South men's basketball tournament |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Longwood University's basketball team is called the Lancers
Longwood University may be a newer star on the college basketball scene, but it is one of America's hundred oldest colleges. The Lancers have enjoyed recent success, making three NCAA Tournament appearances in the last four years, a feat few mid-major programs can boast. In the 2021-2022 season, the Lancers had the best record in the Big South (15-1) and won the regular-season conference championship (North Division). They also won the Big South men's basketball tournament in 2024, earning a berth in the NCAA Division I Tournament.
Longwood previously reached the NCAA tournament three times during its Division II history and once at the Division III level. The Lancers were NCAA Division III members for their first four years. In 1988, they won a share of the Mason-Dixon Conference regular-season title, and in 2001, they won the CVAC tournament championship as a 3rd seed. That year, 6'9" Ducharme, who had transferred from the University of Virginia, led the Lancers to the Division II National Player of the Year award.
Basketball Fanbase in the USA: How Large Is It?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
They are part of Division I
Longwood University's basketball team, the Lancers, are part of Division I. The Lancers previously competed in Division II and Division III.
Longwood's basketball programme began in 1976 when the school became fully co-educational. For the first four years, the Lancers were members of Division III. They have since risen through the divisions, reaching Division I.
In the 2021-2022 season, the Lancers had a remarkable record in the Big South, finishing with a 15-1 record and winning the regular-season conference championship for the North Division. They then went on to win the Big South tournament championship, showcasing their dominance in the conference. This success earned them a spot in the NCAA Division I Tournament, marking their fourth appearance in the prestigious tournament in just four years.
The Lancers have a rich history in basketball, with the women's team celebrating its centennial in 2022. The men's team has also produced notable alumni, including Jerome Kersey, after whom the court at Willett Hall is named. Longwood University may be a newer presence on the college basketball scene, but its basketball teams are certainly making their mark, with a culture of excellence and a devoted alumni network.
FGSU vs FSU: Which Florida Basketball Team Dominates?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
They have a women's team and a men's team
Longwood University's basketball team, the Lancers, compete in Division I of the NCAA. The university fields both a women's and a men's basketball team.
The women's basketball team has a long history at Longwood, with the team celebrating its 100th anniversary in the 2019-2020 season. The men's basketball team, on the other hand, has a more recent history. Longwood was an all-female school for most of its existence, but a small number of male students attended after World War II and formed a basketball team called the Longwood Pioneers. The current NCAA men's basketball programme began in 1976 when the school became fully co-educational.
The Lancers men's basketball team has had some notable successes in recent years. In the 2021-2022 season, they had the best record in the Big South (15-1) and won the regular-season conference championship (North Division). They also won the Big South men's basketball tournament in 2024, earning a spot in the NCAA Division I Tournament. Prior to this, the team had experienced success in Division II and Division III, making the NCAA tournament four times across both divisions.
Longwood University's basketball programme has gained a reputation for excellence, with the teams making three NCAA Tournament appearances in the last four years, an impressive achievement for a mid-major program. The university's idyllic campus and devoted alumni also contribute to the proud basketball culture at Longwood.
Understanding Basketball Stats: A Beginner's Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
They are based in Farmville, VA
Longwood University's basketball team, the Lancers, are based in Farmville, Virginia. The Lancers compete in the Big South Conference and wear the university's colours of blue and white. Longwood University is one of America's oldest colleges, with a picturesque campus and a devoted alumni network.
The university was an all-female school for most of its history, only becoming fully co-educational in 1976. That year, the first official NCAA men's basketball programme began under head coach Allan McNamee. The team finished their inaugural season with a 2-9 record.
The Lancers played in Division III for their first four years, before moving up the divisions. They have since reached the NCAA tournament three times at Division II level, and once at Division III. In 2024, the Lancers won the Big South men's basketball tournament, earning a place in the NCAA Division I Tournament.
Longwood's women's basketball team also has a long history, celebrating its centenary in 2019. The men's and women's teams now hold an annual Lancer Madness season tipoff event in October.
Wichita Basketball: Which Conference Do They Call Home?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
They have made four NCAA Tournament appearances
Longwood University's basketball team, the Lancers, have had some success in the NCAA Tournament over the years, making four appearances in total.
The Lancers men's basketball team began in 1976 when the school became co-educational. They spent their first four years as members of NCAA Division III. During this time, they struggled, finishing 2-9 overall in their inaugural season. However, they soon improved and made the jump to Division II. In the 1999-2000 season, the Lancers, led by 6'9" transfer player Ducharme, won the CVAC championship and made their first NCAA Tournament appearance. Ducharme was named Division II National Player of the Year after averaging 19.6 points and 15.8 rebounds per game.
The Lancers spent nine seasons as an independent team during and after their reclassification to Division I. They joined the Big South Conference in 2012 and have since found their greatest success. In the 2021-2022 season, the men's team had the best record in the Big South, going 15-1, and won the regular-season conference championship (North Division). They then won the Big South Tournament, earning their second berth to the NCAA Division I Tournament in three years. The women's team also shared the regular-season title that season and won the Big South Tournament, making their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament at the Division I level.
Win Probability in Basketball: Calculating Your Team's Chances
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Longwood University's basketball team, the Lancers, compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
No, Longwood University's basketball team has been in Division I since 2012. Before that, they were members of the Division II Mason–Dixon Conference from 1983 to 1988 and the Carolinas–Virginia Athletic Conference from 1995 to 2003. They spent nine seasons as an independent during and after their reclassification to Division I.
Yes, Longwood University's basketball team has had success in Division I. In the 2021-2022 season, the men's team had the best record in the Big South (15-1) and won the regular-season conference championship (North Division). In March 2022, both the men's and women's teams won Big South Tournament titles, earning their first tickets to the NCAA Division I Tournament in the school's history.
Yes, Longwood University has both a men's and a women's basketball team, and they have both found success. The women's team has won five Big South tournament crowns and three regular-season titles since joining the Big South Conference.
