The Central Connecticut Blue Devils men's basketball team is the men's basketball team that represent Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, Connecticut, United States. The school's team currently competes in the Northeast Conference and is coached by Patrick Sellers. The team last played in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament in 2007.
History
Central's first year of competition was the 1934–35 season under coach Harrison J. Kaiser, after whom the athletic building is named. CCSU joined the NCAA Division I ranks in the 1986–87 season, marking 2020–21 as the 35th season at the Division I level.
Classification Years Classification National tournaments Seasons 1986–87 to Present NCAA Division I 3 appearances 35 1965–66 to 1985–86 NCAA Division II 6 appearances 21 1934–35 to 1964–65 NAIB/NAIA 10 appearances 29
Home court Years Venue Seasons 1965–66 to present Kaiser Hall – Detrick Gymnasium 56 1947–48 to 1964–65 Memorial Hall 18 1934–35 to 1946–47 Teachers Gymnasium 11
Conference affiliation Years Conference Seasons 1997–98 to Present Northeast Conference 24 1994–95 to 1996–97 Mid-Continent Conference 3 1990–91 to 1991–92, 1993–94 East Coast Conference 3 1986–87 to 1989–90, 1992–93 Division I Independent 5 1972–73 to 1982–83, 1985–86 Division II Independent 12 1983–84 to 1984–85 New England Collegiate Conference 2 1967–68 to 1971–72 North-East Collegiate Basketball League 5 1961–62 to 1966–67 Independent 6 1934–35 to 1960-61 New England Teachers College Conference 25
Year by year results {| class="wikitable"
|- align="center"
|-style="background: #ffffdd;" | colspan="8" align="center" | Northeast Conference
Postseason
NCAA Division I tournament results The Blue Devils have appeared in three NCAA Division I Tournaments. Their combined record is 0–3.
2000 #15 First Round #2 Iowa State L 78–88 2002 #14 First Round #3 Pittsburgh L 54–71 2007 #16 First Round #1 Ohio State L 57–78
NCAA Division II tournament results The Blue Devils have appeared in six NCAA Division II Tournaments. Their combined record is 6–8.
1966 First RoundRegional SemifinalsRegional FinalElite Eight Potsdam StatePhiladelphia TextileAssumptionKentucky Wesleyan W 94–82W 96–75W 96–87L 76–84 1967 Regional SemifinalsRegional Finals Buffalo StateLong Island W 90–73 L 76–114 1969 Regional SemifinalsRegional Third Place SpringfieldAssumption L 80–91L 77–98 1971 Regional SemifinalsRegional Finals StonehillAssumption W 111–99 L 77–105 1983 Regional SemifinalsRegional Third Place American InternationalAssumption L 64–65L 89–99OT 1984 Regional SemifinalsRegional Third Place South Dakota StateAmerican International L 59–74W 102–90
NAIA national tournament results
The Blue Devils have appeared in 10 NAIB/NAIA National Tournaments at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri. Their combined record is 1–10.
1948 First RoundSecond Round MontanaXavier (Ohio) W 63–52L 39–57 – 1949 First Round Indiana Central L 59–72 – 1950 First Round Westminster (Pa.) L 62–70 – 1959 First Round #12 Westminster (Pa.) L 76–79 – 1960 First Round #6 Grambling L 68–92 – 1961 First Round #11 Southwest Texas State L 59–70 – 1962 First Round #16 William Jewell (Mo.) L 52–57 – 1963 First Round Athens State (Ala.) L 71–72 #16 1964 First Round Saint Mary’s (Texas) L 62–64 #14 1965 First Round #9 Augsburg (Minn.) L 87–103 –
NCAA Division I conference awards
Player of the Year Northeast Conference
2026 – Darin Smith Jr. 2025 – Jordan Jones 2011 – Ken Horton 2007 – Javier Mojica 2004 – Ron Robinson 2002 – Corsley Edwards 2000 – Rick Mickens
Defensive Player of the Year Northeast Conference 2008 – Tristan Blackwood 2007 – Tristan Blackwood 2000 – Rick Mickens 2025 – Abdul Momoh
East Coast Conference
1991 – Patrick Sellers
Rookie of the Year Northeast Conference
2012 – Kyle Vinales 2008 – Shemik Thompson
East Coast Conference
1991 – Bryon Smith
All-Conference First Team Northeast Conference
2013 – Kyle Vinales 2012 – Ken Horton 2011 – Ken Horton 2008 – Tristan Blackwood 2007 – Tristan Blackwood, Javier Mojica, Obie Nwadike 2006 – Justin Chiera 2004 – Ron Robinson 2003 – Ron Robinson 2002 – Corsley Edwards 2001 – Corsley Edwards 2000 – Rick Mickens
Mid-Continent Conference
1996 – Keith Closs
All-Conference Second Team Northeast Conference
2015 – Matt Mobley 2009 – Ken Horton 2002 – Damian Battles, Ricardo Scott 2001 – John Tice 2000 – Corsley Edwards, John Tice 1999 – Rick Mickens, Charron Watson 1998 – Rick Mickens
Mid-Continent Conference
1997 – Sean Scott
All-Rookie Team Northeast Conference
2020 – Myles Baker 2019 – Ian Krishnan 2016 – Austin Nehls 2014 – Matt Mobley 2013 – Brandon Peel 2012 – Kyle Vinales 2008 – Ken Horton, Shemik Thompson 2004 – Obie Nwadike 2003 – Justin Chiera 2001 – Ron Robinson 1999 – Corsley Edwards 1998 – Marijus Kovaliukas
Mid-Continent Conference
1995 – Keith Closs, Bill Langheim
Coach of the Year Northeast Conference
Howie Dickenman – 2007, 2006, 2002, 2000
Other awards
All-American Selections First Team Howie Dickenman – 1969
Second Team Richard Leonard – 1984 & 1983 Steve Ayers – 1982 Bill Reaves – 1971 & 1970
Third Team Steve Ayers – 1981
Honorable Mention Ken Horton – 2011
UPI Selection Eugene Reily – 1966
All-New England selections First Team Rich Leonard – 1984 Steve Ayers – 1982 Bill Reaves – 1971 Howie Dickenman – 1969
Second Team Corsley Edwards – 2002 Rick Mickens – 2000 Byran Heron – 1989 Ken Hightower – 1984 Rich Leonard & Steve Ayers – 1983 Billy Wendt – 1973 Howie Dickenman – 1968 Paul Zajac – 1967
Third Team Greg Roberts – 1978 Jere Quinn & Robert Charbonneau – 1977
Blue Devils in the NBA Corsley Edwards – 2002 NBA Draft – Round 2, Pick 29 / Sacramento Kings (10 games played) Keith Closs – 1997 Free Agent / Los Angeles Clippers (130 games played) Howie Dickenman – 1969 NBA Draft – Round 17, Pick 210 / Phoenix Suns (did not play)
References
External links