Ayrton Oneill
The Central Arkansas Bears basketball team, also known as the UCA Bears, represents the University of Central Arkansas in NCAA Division I men's basketball. The Bears played in the Southland Conference until 2021 when they left to join the ASUN Conference. In their first season in the ASUN Conference in 2021-22, the UCA Bears finished third in the West Division with an 11-20 record.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Division | I |
| University | Central Arkansas |
| Team Name | Bears |
| Conference | ASUN |
| Conference Division | West |
| 2021-22 Season Record | 11-20 |
| 2021-22 Conference Record | 7-9 |
| 2021-22 Conference Finish | Third Place |
| 2020-21 Season Record | 5-19 |
| 2020-21 Conference Record | 4-12 |
| 2020-21 Conference Finish | Twelfth Place |
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What You'll Learn
The Central Arkansas Bears play NCAA Division I basketball
The Central Arkansas Bears, also known as the UCA Bears, play NCAA Division I basketball. The team represents the University of Central Arkansas in the NCAA's Division I men's basketball season.
In the 2021-22 season, the Central Arkansas Bears played in the West Division of the ASUN Conference. This was their first season as members of the ASUN Conference, having left the Southland Conference in July 2021. Led by second-year head coach Anthony Boone, the Bears played their home games at the on-campus Farris Center in Conway, Arkansas.
The Central Arkansas Bears finished the 2021-22 season with an overall record of 11-20 and a conference record of 7-9. They secured third place in the West Division of the ASUN Conference. In the ASUN tournament, the Bears defeated Stetson in the first round before being eliminated by Jacksonville in the quarterfinals.
The previous season, the 2020-21 season, the Central Arkansas Bears finished with a 5-19 overall record and a 4-12 Southland Conference record. They placed twelfth in the Southland Conference and failed to qualify for the conference tournament.
The Central Arkansas Bears have a long-standing basketball rivalry with the Arkansas Razorbacks. The series between the two programs dates back to Arkansas' first season of basketball in 1923-24. However, the Razorbacks hold a perfect record against the Bears, with an all-time head-to-head record of 8-0, including a 5-0 record in games played in Fayetteville.
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UCA joined the ASUN Conference in 2021
The University of Central Arkansas (UCA) Bears and Sugar Bears represent the University of Central Arkansas in NCAA Division I Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN). UCA joined the ASUN Conference in 2021, leaving its longtime Division I home of the Southland Conference. The Central Arkansas athletics program announced in a joint virtual press conference on January 29, 2021, that it would become part of the ASUN Conference, along with fellow new members Eastern Kentucky University and Jacksonville State University.
The move to the ASUN Conference was largely spurred by the conference's aspirations to establish a football presence, according to UCA Athletic Director Brad Teague. In a video released in January 2020, ASUN Conference Commissioner Ted Gumbart expressed the conference's desire to expand to 18 schools, with eight of those members playing football. Gumbart announced plans to sponsor those eight schools as their own separate conference, titled the "United Athletic Conference" (UAC).
UCA's athletic program is supported by a diverse group of over 400 male and female student-athletes. The men's teams are called the Bears, and the women's teams are the Sugar Bears. UCA's athletic program has a history of success, with the men's athletic teams winning the conference's All Sports Trophy in 2005-2006. In 2008, the UCA Bear Football Team defeated more Southland Conference opponents than any other team and were declared "Unofficial Southland Conference Champions".
The ASUN Conference started its football league in the 2022 season and maintained its football partnership with the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). UCA played the 2021 season as a de facto associate member of the WAC, competing in the "ASUN-WAC Challenge". The ASUN and WAC merged their football leagues after the 2022 season to create the UAC.
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The team plays home games at the Farris Center in Conway, Arkansas
The Central Arkansas Bears basketball team, also known as the UCA Bears, represents the University of Central Arkansas in NCAA Division I men's basketball. The team played in the Southland Conference until 2021 when they joined the ASUN Conference. Within the ASUN Conference, the Bears play in the West Division.
The Farris Center offers a unique and intimate setting for basketball games, with a capacity of around 6,000 spectators. The arena features a modern design, with comfortable seating, excellent sightlines, and state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems. The facility is also equipped with amenities such as concession stands, merchandise shops, and spacious lobbies, enhancing the overall game-day experience for fans.
During home games, the stands are often filled with enthusiastic students and fans, creating a sea of school colours and a lively atmosphere. The crowd cheers, chants, and traditions add to the excitement of the game, making the Farris Center a challenging venue for visiting teams. The support of the home crowd can give the Bears a boost, encouraging them to play with determination and strive for victory.
The team's home arena serves as a crucial factor in fostering a sense of community and school spirit. It provides a platform for students, alumni, and local residents to come together and showcase their support for the Bears. The Farris Center becomes a gathering place for social interactions, traditions, and shared memories, contributing to the overall campus life and culture at the University of Central Arkansas.
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The Bears finished the 2021-22 season in third place in the West Division
The Central Arkansas Bears basketball team, also known as the UCA Bears, had a successful 2021-22 season. The team, representing the University of Central Arkansas, competed in the NCAA Division I men's basketball league. This was their first season as part of the West Division of the ASUN Conference, having left the Southland Conference in July 2021.
The Bears had a strong showing, finishing with a 11-20 record overall and a 7-9 record in ASUN play. This placed them third in the West Division, an impressive improvement from their previous season's twelfth-place finish. Their performance earned them a spot in the ASUN tournament, where they showcased their skills and defeated Stetson in the first round. However, their journey ended in the quarterfinals with a loss to Jacksonville.
The UCA Bears' 2021-22 season was a step in the right direction, and their third-place finish in the West Division is a testament to their hard work and dedication. The team's success can be attributed to the leadership of second-year head coach Anthony Boone, who guided them throughout the season. Playing their home games at the on-campus Farris Center in Conway, Arkansas, the Bears established a strong home-court advantage and built momentum throughout the season.
The Bears' performance in the 2021-22 season set a positive tone for the future. With a combination of talented players and a dedicated coaching staff, the team looks to build on their achievements and continue their upward trajectory in the upcoming seasons. The third-place finish in the West Division serves as a foundation for future success, and the Bears will aim to climb even higher in the rankings and establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with in college basketball.
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UCA has an in-state rivalry with the Arkansas Razorbacks
The University of Central Arkansas (UCA) Bears and the University of Arkansas Razorbacks have a long history of athletic competition, dating back to the 1920s. The two schools have competed in various sports, including men's and women's basketball, baseball, football, and golf. While the rivalry has been predominantly focused on basketball, with the first game between the two teams taking place in 1923, they have also faced off in other sports.
The UCA Bears and Arkansas Razorbacks men's basketball teams have a long history of competition, with the first game between the two taking place during the 1923-1924 season, which was the University of Arkansas's first season of basketball. The Razorbacks dominated the early encounters, winning the first six games between the two schools. The games were often high-scoring affairs, with the Razorbacks' highest score being 66 points in the 1935-1936 season. The rivalry continued until the 1946-1947 season, with the Razorbacks maintaining their dominance, extending their winning streak to eight games. After this season, the two teams did not meet again until the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 seasons, with the Razorbacks remaining undefeated in these encounters.
The UCA Bears women's basketball team also has a history of competition with the University of Arkansas. During the 1977-1978 season, the Sugar Bears played a close game against the University of Arkansas women's team, losing by a narrow margin of 59-65. This game was part of a series of athletic competitions between the two schools that took place from 1921 to 1948 and again in 1978, encompassing four different team sports.
In addition to basketball, the UCA Bears and Arkansas Razorbacks have also competed in baseball. The first baseball game between the two teams took place in 1921, with the Bears winning 4-2. The rivalry continued until 1947, with the Bears sweeping all three games in that year's series. The baseball series between the two schools is tied, with seven wins for each team and three games ending in a tie. The last time the Arkansas State Teachers College (now UCA) and the University of Arkansas competed in a sporting event was in 1948, during Harry Truman's presidency.
While the direct competition between UCA and the University of Arkansas has been primarily in basketball and baseball, there is also a possibility for them to compete in golf tournaments and track and field. The rivalry between the UCA Bears and Arkansas Razorbacks has a rich history, spanning across multiple sports and decades, with the two schools meeting a total of 27 times across four different team sports from 1921 to 1948 and again in 1978. The Razorbacks' dominance in men's basketball and the close competitions in other sports have contributed to the intensity of this in-state rivalry.
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Frequently asked questions
NCAA Division I.
The ASUN Conference (Atlantic Sun Conference).
UCA joined the ASUN Conference in July 2021.
The Central Arkansas Bears represent the University of Central Arkansas in NCAA Division I men's basketball.
As of the 2021-22 season, the head coach of the Central Arkansas Bears is Anthony Boone.
