The Citadel Bulldogs basketball

College basketball team

The Citadel Bulldogs basketball

|  | 2024–25 The Citadel Bulldogs basketball team

|

University| The Citadel
First season| 1900 (1900)
Athletic director| Mike Capaccio
Head coach| Ed Conroy (7th season)
Conference| SoCon
Location| Charleston, South Carolina
Arena| McAlister Field House
(capacity: 6,000)
Nickname| Bulldogs
Student section| McAlister Maniacs/Long Grey Line
Colors| Infantry blue and white[1]

Uniforms

Home

Away

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Conference tournament champions
SIAA: 1927

The Citadel Bulldogs basketball team represents The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina in the sport of men's college basketball. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I, and the team competes in the Southern Conference South Division. Ed Conroy is in his second stint as the head coach, having previously held the position from 2006–2010.[2]

The team has never won a regular season or Southern Conference men's basketball tournament championship or participated in the NCAA Tournament. Following Northwestern's 2017 NCAA Tournament bid, they are one of three schools playing Division I basketball at the time of the first NCAA basketball tournament to have never made an NCAA Tournament, along with Army and William & Mary. (St. Francis Brooklyn was also part of this group before it discontinued all athletics in 2023.)[3][4] The team has made one postseason appearance, playing in the 2009 CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament, falling in the first round to eventual champion Old Dominion.[5] In 1927 the Bulldogs claimed the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association Tournament title, defeating Mercer for their only conference championship. In their history of SoCon play, they have reached past the quarterfinals just once, doing so when they went to the conference tournament final in 1959 and lost to West Virginia.

Notably, the Citadel is one of only two Division I schools that do not sponsor women's basketball. The other is fellow Southern Conference member and senior military college: VMI.

## Facilities

[edit]

McAlister Field House

The Bulldogs play their home games at the on-campus McAlister Field House, a 6,000 seat arena formerly known as The Armory. The arena was heavily renovated in 1989. During the summer of 2011, The Citadel completed additional renovations to the Field House, building a new floor and revamping the Bulldogs locker room.[6] Since the 1989 renovations, the Bulldogs have played before full capacity on three occasions: Duke (1991), South Carolina (1997), and College of Charleston (1999).[7] Like all Citadel athletic teams, the Bulldogs utilize strength and conditioning, medical, and video spaces in Seignious Hall.

## Notable Bulldogs

[edit]

* Regan Truesdale \- Two-time Southern Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year
* Art Musselman - played in the shadow of Jerry West for three years
* Pat Conroy \- author famous, in part, for chronicling his life as a Citadel basketball player in the novels My Losing Season and The Lords of Discipline.

## Honored jerseys

[edit]

The Citadel created the honored jersey in 2009, beginning with Les Robinson. Banners hang in McAlister Field House for each honored jersey. Since Robinson, four additional jerseys have been added. Pat Conroy's jersey was honored most recently, on February 3, 2018.[8][9]

The Citadel Bulldogs retired numbers

No.  | Player  | Career  | Year Honored
3 | Jake Burrows | 1938–1940 | 2012
22 | Pat Conroy | 1963–1967 | 2018
33 | Art Musselman | 1957–1960 | 2010
Regan Truesdale | 1982–1985 | 2011
C | Les Robinson | 1974–1985 | 2009

## Coaches

[edit]

Below is a list of all coaches at The Citadel and their records through the 2020–21 season.[10]

Coach  | Career  | Record  | Conference Record

|
|
|

Not Available  | 1900–01  | 0–1  | No Conference
J. G. Briggs  | 1912–13  | 2–3
Darl Buse  | 1913–14  | 6–1
Hans Kangeter  | 1914–16  | 9–4
Harvey O'Brien | 1916–18  | 6–2
C. F. Myers  | 1918–25  | 52–27  | 7–9
Locke Brown  | 1925–26  | 10–6  | 4–1
Benny Blatt  | 1926–30  | 52–22  | 8–4
Johnny Douglas  | 1930–33  | 18–31  | 1–3
Charlie Willard  | 1933–35  | 13–16  | 0–0
Rock Norman | 1935–40  | 45–32  | 16–14
Ben Parker  | 1939–41  | 6–16  | 4–13
Ben Clemons  | 1941–42, 1943–44  | 4–5  | 2–8
Bo Sherman  | 1942–43  | 8–6  | 5–3
Ernest Wehman  | 1944–45  | 9–5  | 8–4
Eugene Clark  | 1945–46  | 8–10  | 2–6
Whitey Piro  | 1946–47  | 4–11  | 0–10
Bernard O'Neil  | 1947–52  | 28–71  | 9–47
Leo Zack  | 1952–54  | 5–33  | 1–18
Jim Browning  | 1954–55  | 1–18  | 0–10
Hank Witt  | 1955–56  | 2–19  | 0–10
Norm Sloan | 1956–60  | 57–38  | 33–19
Mel Thompson | 1960–67  | 67–97  | 35–46
Dick Campbell  | 1967–71  | 45–54  | 21–27
George Hill  | 1971–74  | 33–42  | 11–18
Les Robinson | 1974–85  | 132–162  | 61–99
Randy Nesbit  | 1985–92  | 76–121  | 32–72
Pat Dennis  | 1992–2006  | 158–233  | 72–146
Ed Conroy | 2006–10, 2022–present  | 49–76  | 29–47
Chuck Driesell | 2010–2015  | 42–113  | 22–66
Duggar Baucom | 2015–2022  | 77–136  | 27–97

## Rivalries

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The primary Bulldog rivals, as in other sports, are VMI, Furman, and College of Charleston. The Citadel also has historical rivalries with other schools within the state. The Bulldogs' records versus each rival are listed below, through the 2020–21 season.[11]

### Records vs rivals

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Opponent  | Record  | Pct.  | Last Victory  | Streak

|
|
|
|

College of Charleston | 40–57 | .412 | 2009–10 | L10
Furman | 87–128 | .405 | 2017–18 | L6
VMI | 59–57 | .509 | 2020–21 | W1

### Records vs conference rivals

[edit]

Excludes Furman and VMI, listed above
East Tennessee State, Mercer and VMI become SoCon members in basketball for the 2014 season.
Opponent  | Record  | Pct.  | Last Victory  | Streak

|
|
|
|

Chattanooga | 19–68 | .218 | 2020–21 | L1
East Tennessee State | 18–48 | .273 | 2020–21 | W1
Mercer | 7–20 | .259 | 2018–19 | L4
Samford | 12–13 | .480 | 2018–19 | L3
UNC Greensboro | 9–33 | .214 | 2014–15 | L16
Western Carolina | 38–44 | .463 | 2020–21 | W2
Wofford | 50–62 | .446 | 2020–21 | L1

### Records vs in-state rivals

[edit]

Division 1, non-SoCon only
Opponent  | Record  | Pct.  | Last Victory  | Streak

|
|
|
|

Charleston Southern | 19–17 | .528 | 2008–09 | L4
Clemson | 23–60 | .277 | 1978–79 | L16
Coastal Carolina | 4–6 | .400 | 2001–02 | L2
Presbyterian | 49–24 | .671 | 2020–21 | W2
South Carolina | 24–76 | .240 | 1988–89 | L13
South Carolina State | 8–3 | .727 | 2010–11 | W1
USC Upstate | 4–0 | 1.000 | 2016–17 | W4
Winthrop | 4–4 | .500 | 1997–98 | L2

## Notable seasons

[edit]

See also: List of The Citadel Bulldogs basketball seasons

* 1926–27 The Citadel Bulldogs basketball team \- first and only Conference Tournament championship
* 1966–67 The Citadel Bulldogs basketball team \- Chronicled in Pat Conroy's My Losing Season
* 1978–79 The Citadel Bulldogs basketball team \- first 20 win season
* 2008–09 The Citadel Bulldogs basketball team \- second 20 win season; first postseason appearance

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Colors: The Citadel Brand Guidelines". Retrieved October 22, 2022.
2. ^ Renaud, Tim (March 23, 2022). "Citadel names Ed Conroy as head Basketball Coach". WCBD. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
3. ^ John Feinstein (February 29, 2016). "At The Citadel, hoping to outrun history, NCAA tournament drought". Washington Post. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
4. ^ "Schools that have never made the NCAA Tournament — the 2017 edition". The Sports Arsenal. February 26, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
5. ^ 2011-12 The Citadel Basketball Media Guide. The Citadel. p. 166\. Archived from the original on March 9, 2014. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
6. ^ "The Citadel Basketball Locker Room Renovations". citadelsports.com. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
7. ^ 2011-12 Citadel Basketball Media Guide. Citadel Athletics. p. 20\. Archived from the original on March 9, 2014. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
8. ^ Daren Stoltzfus (February 3, 2018). "Citadel honors Pat Conroy with jersey hung from rafters at McAlister Field House". WCIV. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
9. ^ "The Citadel to Honor Jake Burrows' Jersey No. 3 with a Banner in McAlister Field House". citadelsports.com. Retrieved January 17, 2012.
10. ^ 2011-12 The Citadel Basketball Media Guide. The Citadel. p. 99\. Archived from the original on March 9, 2014. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
11. ^ 2020-21 The Citadel Basketball Fact Book (PDF). The Citadel. pp. 114–134. Retrieved January 25, 2021.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website

* v
* t
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The Citadel Bulldogs basketball

Venues|

* Thompson Hall (1938–1939)
* The Citadel Armory / McAlister Field House (1939–1988)
* Deas Hall (1988–1989)
* McAlister Field House (1989–present)

Culture & lore|

* My Losing Season
* All-Military Classic

People|

* Head coaches
* Statistical leaders

Seasons|

* List of seasons
* 1900–01
* 1901–12
* 1912–13
* 1913–14
* 1914–15
* 1915–16
* 1916–17
* 1917–18
* 1918–19
* 1919–20
* 1920–21
* 1921–22
* 1922–23
* 1923–24
* 1924–25
* 1925–26
* 1926–27
* 1927–28
* 1928–29
* 1929–30
* 1930–31
* 1931–32
* 1932–33
* 1933–34
* 1934–35
* 1935–36
* 1936–37
* 1937–38
* 1938–39
* 1939–40
* 1940–41
* 1941–42
* 1942–43
* 1943–44
* 1944–45
* 1945–46
* 1946–47
* 1947–48
* 1948–49
* 1949–50
* 1950–51
* 1951–52
* 1952–53
* 1953–54
* 1954–55
* 1955–56
* 1956–57
* 1957–58
* 1958–59
* 1959–60
* 1960–61
* 1961–62
* 1962–63
* 1963–64
* 1964–65
* 1965–66
* 1966–67
* 1967–68
* 1968–69
* 1969–70
* 1970–71
* 1971–72
* 1972–73
* 1973–74
* 1974–75
* 1975–76
* 1976–77
* 1977–78
* 1978–79
* 1979–80
* 1980–81
* 1981–82
* 1982–83
* 1983–84
* 1984–85
* 1985–86
* 1986–87
* 1987–88
* 1988–89
* 1989–90
* 1990–91
* 1991–92
* 1992–93
* 1993–94
* 1994–95
* 1995–96
* 1996–97
* 1997–98
* 1998–99
* 1999–2000
* 2000–01
* 2001–02
* 2002–03
* 2003–04
* 2004–05
* 2005–06
* 2006–07
* 2007–08
* 2008–09
* 2009–10
* 2010–11
* 2011–12
* 2012–13
* 2013–14
* 2014–15
* 2015–16
* 2016–17
* 2017–18
* 2018–19
* 2019–20
* 2020–21
* 2021–22
* 2022–23
* 2023–24
* 2024–25

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Citadel Military College of South Carolina

Schools|

Business
Education
Engineering
Humanities and Social Sciences
Science and Mathematics
Leadership and Ethics

Academic programs|

Graduate College
Lowcountry Graduate Center

Athletics|

Teams
The Citadel Bulldogs
Baseball
Basketball
Football
Rifle
Soccer
Tennis
Volleyball
Wrestling

Facilities
Johnson Hagood Stadium
McAlister Field House
Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park
College Park
Inouye Marksmanship Center

Campus|

* Campus
* Daniel Library
* Padgett-Thomas Barracks
* HMS Seraph Monument
* Old Citadel
* Summerall Chapel

Student life|

* South Carolina Corps of Cadets
* Honor Code
* The Brigadier
* The Regimental Band and Pipes
* The Summerall Guards

People and history|

* Presidents
* Notable alumni
* History
* Arsenal Academy
* Palmetto Regiment
* South Carolina Military Academy
* Washington Light Infantry

* v
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* e

Southern Conference men's basketball

Teams|

* Chattanooga Mocs
* The Citadel Bulldogs
* East Tennessee State Buccaneers
* Furman Paladins
* Mercer Bears
* Samford Bulldogs
* UNC Greensboro Spartans
* VMI Keydets
* Western Carolina Catamounts
* Wofford Terriers

Championships & awards|

* Southern Conference men's basketball champions
* Player of the Year

Seasons|

* 1921–22
* 1922–23
* 1923–24
* 1924–25
* 1925–26
* 1926–27
* 1927–28
* 1928–29
* 1929–30
* 1930–31
* 1931–32
* 1932–33
* 1933–34
* 1934–35
* 1935–36
* 1936–37
* 1937–38
* 1938–39
* 1939–40
* 1940–41
* 1941–42
* 1942–43
* 1943–44
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* 1945–46
* 1946–47
* 1947–48
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* 1956–57
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* 1960–61
* 1961–62
* 1962–63
* 1963–64
* 1964–65
* 1965–66
* 1966–67
* 1967–68
* 1968–69
* 1969–70
* 1970–71
* 1971–72
* 1972–73
* 1973–74
* 1974–75
* 1975–76
* 1976–77
* 1977–78
* 1978–79
* 1979–80
* 1980–81
* 1981–82
* 1982–83
* 1983–84
* 1984–85
* 1985–86
* 1986–87
* 1987–88
* 1988–89
* 1989–90
* 1990–91
* 1991–92
* 1992–93
* 1993–94
* 1994–95
* 1995–96
* 1996–97
* 1997–98
* 1998–99
* 1999–2000
* 2000–01
* 2001–02
* 2002–03
* 2003–04
* 2004–05
* 2005–06
* 2006–07
* 2007–08
* 2008–09
* 2009–10
* 2010–11
* 2011–12
* 2012–13
* 2013–14
* 2014–15
* 2015–16
* 2016–17
* 2017–18
* 2018–19
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* 2020–21
* 2021–22
* 2022–23

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