Cleveland State Vikings men's basketball is the men's college basketball team that represents Cleveland State University. Prior to rebranding from Fenn College, they were known as the Fenn College Foxes. Cleveland State has been in Division I since 1972. They are a member of the Horizon League (1994–present) Cleveland State was formerly in the Mid-Continent Conference (1982–1994). Prior to 1982, Cleveland State was an independent program. The Vikings have appeared in three NCAA Tournaments, most recently in 2021. In 1986, Cleveland State advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16.

History

The 1985–86 season is arguably the most memorable in Vikings history, as they achieved the improbable in becoming the first ever 14th seeded team to make it to the Sweet Sixteen of the 1986 NCAA tournament. Coach Kevin Mackey's squad, led by Ken 'Mouse' McFadden and Eric Mudd, upset Bobby Knight's 3rd seeded Indiana Hoosiers, by a final of 83-79. Following a 75-69 second round win against 6th seeded St.Joseph's, the Vikings would ultimately lose to Navy 71-70 on a clutch basket in the waning seconds by future Hall of Famer, David Robinson. Cleveland State would qualify for the NIT Tournament the following two seasons, but went 23 seasons until returning to the NCAA Tournament. On Monday, December 15, 2008, Cleveland State had their biggest regular season victory in school history, upsetting the #11 Syracuse Orange, 72-69, on a last-second, three-quarter court shot from senior guard Cedric Jackson. It was CSU's third-ever win over a Top 25 ranked opponent, and first ever on the road. They would pick up their fourth and fifth wins over Top 25 opponents later that same season when they won at #17 Butler in the championship game of the Horizon League Tournament 57-54, and then in the first round of the 2009 NCAA tournament when, as the 13th seeded team in the Midwest bracket, they routed 4th seeded and #12 Wake Forest by a final score of 84-69.

Records

Record versus Horizon League

Records vs. Horizon League schools as of the end of the 2020–2021 school year.

Record versus Ohio schools

Records vs. Ohio schools as of the end of the 2015–2016 school year.

Individual career records

Cleveland State wins vs. the AP Top 25

Awards

AMCU/Mid Continent Player of the Year AMCU/Mid Continent Coach of the Year AMCU/Mid Continent Newcomer of the Year Horizon League Player of the Year Horizon League Newcomer of the Year Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year Horizon League Sixth Man of the Year Horizon League Coach of the Year HoopDirt.com Division I Coach of the Year

Attendance

Year-by-year

Largest Crowds

Wolstein Center

Woodling Gym

Public Auditorium

NBA draft history

Regular Draft

Record by year

Conference tournaments

AMCU

Horizon League

Postseason history

NCAA Division I Tournament history

Cleveland State has made three appearances in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, having a record of 3–3.

NIT results

Cleveland State has appeared in the National Invitation Tournament six times, with the Vikings having a record of 3–6.

CBI results

The Vikings have received two College Basketball Invitational (CBI) berth. Their record is 1–2.

CIT results

Cleveland State has appeared in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament twice, having a combined record of 1–2.

Retired numbers

Cleveland State has retired four numbers in program history.

Head Coaching History

Championships

Cleveland State has won six regular season championships (1985, 1986, 1993, 2011, 2021, 2022) and three conference tournaments (1986, 2009, 2021).

Alumni in the National Basketball Association

Seven Cleveland State alumni have played in the NBA, including:

Media

The flagship station for CSU men's basketball is WARF 1350 AM, with announcer Al Pawlowski. Any CSU games WARF can't air due to conflicts slide over to sister station WTAM 1100 AM/106.9 FM.