Umbc Men's Basketball: Division I Champs

what division is umbc men

The UMBC Retrievers are the athletic teams that represent the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, in intercollegiate athletics as part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The men's basketball team at UMBC has competed in Division I since the 2003-04 academic year, primarily in the America East Conference. Before that, they competed in the Northeast Conference and the Big South Conference, as well as the Mason-Dixon Conference at the NCAA Division II level. In 2018, the UMBC Retrievers men's basketball team made history by becoming the first 16-seed to defeat a 1-seed in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament when they beat the Virginia Cavaliers.

Characteristics Values
Name UMBC Retrievers
University University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Division I
Conference America East
Nickname Retrievers
Colors Black and Gold
Mascot True Grit
Sports Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Lacrosse, Soccer, Swimming & Diving, Track & Field (Indoor and Outdoor)
Previous Conference Northeast Conference (1998-99 to 2002-03), Big South Conference (1992-93 to 1997-98), Mason-Dixon Conference (1972-73 to 1977-78 and 1983-84 to 1987-88)
Notable Achievements Defeated #1 ranked Virginia Cavaliers in 2018, becoming the first 16-seed to beat a 1-seed in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament; Won America East Conference in Men's Soccer in 2010, 2012, and 2013, advancing to the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Tournament

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The UMBC Retrievers basketball team competes in Division I

The Retrievers have a rich history in basketball, with the men's team making a notable appearance in the NCAA Division II tournament two times. In the 2007-08 season, they qualified for their first NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. This was a significant step forward for the team. In 2018, the UMBC Retrievers men's basketball team made history again when they defeated the Virginia Cavaliers in the NCAA men's basketball tournament. This victory marked the first time a 16th seed had beaten a 1st seed in the tournament's history.

The UMBC Retrievers basketball team's colours are black and gold, and their mascot is True Grit, an anthropomorphized Chesapeake Bay Retriever, which is the state dog of Maryland. The team has had various forms of mascots over the years, including a statue, a costumed mascot, and even a live puppy.

The Retrievers compete in the America East Conference, previously known as the Big South Conference and the Northeast Conference. They have had some notable successes in this conference, including winning their first regular-season American East men's basketball title in 2007-08. The team has also qualified for and competed in various other tournaments, showcasing their dedication and skill.

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They are part of the America East Conference

The UMBC Retrievers are the athletic teams representing the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, in intercollegiate sports as part of the America East Conference. They have been competing in the America East Conference since the 2003-04 academic year. The Retrievers previously competed in the Northeast Conference from 1998-99 to 2002-03 and in the Big South Conference from 1992-93 to 1997-98. They also have history in the Mason-Dixon Conference at the NCAA Division II level.

As part of the America East Conference, the UMBC Retrievers compete in 17 intercollegiate varsity sports. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, lacrosse, soccer, swimming and diving, and track and field (both indoor and outdoor). The women's sports programme includes basketball, cross country, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, track and field (both indoor and outdoor), and volleyball.

The UMBC men's basketball team has enjoyed success as part of the America East Conference. In the 2007-08 season, they won their first regular-season America East men's basketball title and qualified for their first NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. This was a significant step up from their previous appearances in the Division II tournament.

The 2017-18 season was a historic one for the UMBC Retrievers men's basketball team. On March 16, 2018, they achieved a remarkable feat by defeating the #1-ranked Virginia Cavaliers in the NCAA men's basketball tournament. This was the first time in the tournament's history that a 16th-seed had defeated a 1st-seed.

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The Retrievers nickname comes from the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, the state dog of Maryland

The UMBC (University of Maryland, Baltimore County) Men's Basketball team competes in Division I of the NCAA. The team's nickname is the Retrievers, inspired by the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, which is the state dog of Maryland.

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a large breed of dog native to the Chesapeake Bay region in the United States, where the breed was developed in the 19th century. They were historically used by local hunters to retrieve waterfowl and for fishing-related tasks, such as pulling nets and rescuing fishermen. The breed is valued for its intelligence, courageous and happy disposition, work ethic, alertness, and love of water.

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever has a distinct appearance, with a large, powerful build, a double coat that tends to wave, and eyes of a yellowish or amber hue. The coat is typically brown, sedge, or deadgrass in colour, with white markings permitted in limited amounts. The texture of the thick double coat protects the dog from cold water and icy conditions, making them well-suited for their historical roles.

The breed is known for its strong will and independent nature, which has earned them a reputation for being more aggressive, willful, and reserved with strangers compared to other retriever breeds. However, they are also recognised for their intelligence, good sense, and affectionate protective nature. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever has a median lifespan of around 9.4 to 10.75 years and is susceptible to various hereditary diseases, including degenerative myelopathy.

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The Retrievers have a costumed mascot named True Grit

The UMBC Retrievers are the athletic teams representing the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, in intercollegiate athletics. They compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The Retrievers' men's basketball team made history in 2018 when they defeated the #1 ranked Virginia Cavaliers in the NCAA men's basketball tournament. This was a remarkable feat, as it was the first time a 16-seed had ever beaten a 1-seed in the tournament's history.

The Retrievers have a long and proud history, and at the heart of their spirit is their beloved mascot, True Grit. True Grit embodies the unwavering determination and courage that the Retrievers strive to display in all their athletic endeavours. The name 'True Grit' evokes a bold and strong image, reflecting the team's aspirations.

True Grit takes two forms. Firstly, there is the statue, a 500-pound bronze sculpture of a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, the state dog of Maryland. This statue stands proudly in front of the Retriever Activities Center (RAC), greeting students and visitors alike. It has become a symbol of good luck, with students rubbing its nose, hoping for prosperity and success during exam periods. The tradition has become so popular that the bronze on the statue's nose has worn off from constant rubbing.

Secondly, True Grit is also a costumed mascot, an anthropomorphized Chesapeake Bay Retriever. This version of True Grit attends games and events, hyping up the crowd and cheering on the Retrievers. The costume has undergone some changes over the years, but the spirit of True Grit remains consistent, embodying the tenacity and grit of the UMBC athletic teams.

In addition to the costumed and statue versions of True Grit, UMBC has had several live Chesapeake Bay Retriever mascots throughout its history, including Campus Sam, who was donated by a dog breeder and lived with the family of UMBC's first director of the physical plant. Today, UMBC's live mascot is a Chesapeake Bay Retriever named Gritty, chosen by the student body through an online poll.

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They defeated the Virginia Cavaliers in 2018, marking a historic win

The UMBC Retrievers men's basketball team plays in Division I of the NCAA. In 2018, the Retrievers made history by defeating the Virginia Cavaliers in the first round of the NCAA tournament. It was a remarkable upset victory, with #16 seed UMBC beating #1 seed Virginia 74-54. This was only the second time in college basketball history that a #16 seed had defeated a #1 seed, and the first time in the men's game since the Division I men's tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985.

The game was a back-and-forth affair, with UMBC going on several runs to build a lead, and Virginia mounting a few comebacks to keep it close. However, the Retrievers' strong shooting, particularly from three-point range, proved too much for the Cavaliers, who were unable to find their rhythm and struggled with foul trouble. UMBC's victory was especially significant as it was their first-ever NCAA tournament win in school history.

Virginia entered the tournament as the top overall seed and heavy favourites to advance far, making their early exit all the more surprising. They had an impressive regular season, finishing with a 31-3 record and were considered one of the best teams in college basketball. Unfortunately for them, they lost future NBA player De'Andre Hunter to a season-ending injury just before the tournament, which may have contributed to their unexpected defeat.

UMBC, on the other hand, entered the tournament as underdogs, having finished the regular season with a 25-10 record. However, they played with determination and exploited Virginia's weaknesses, showcasing the tenacity that would lead them to their historic victory. This game will forever be remembered as one of the biggest upsets in NCAA Tournament history.

The Early Days of Basketball in the US

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Frequently asked questions

Division I.

The Retrievers.

Black and gold.

America East Conference.

True Grit.

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