For information on all University of Central Arkansas sports, see Central Arkansas Bears and Sugar Bears For information about the Central Arkansas women's team, see Central Arkansas Sugar Bears basketball.

The Central Arkansas Bears basketball team represents the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) in NCAA Division I men's basketball competition. UCA currently plays in the United Athletic Conference, which it joined in 2026 after 15 seasons as a member of the Southland Conference. The Bears play home games at the Farris Center located on the UCA campus in Conway, Arkansas and are currently led by head coach John Shulman.

Prior to competition at the NCAA Division I level, the Bears also competed in the NAIA and NCAA Division II. At the NCAA Division I level, the Bears have never qualified for the NCAA tournament.

Postseason

NCAA Division II Tournament 2005 Regional QuarterfinalsRegional semifinals W 74–71L 69–73

NAIA Tournament The Bears have appeared in 15 NAIA tournaments. Their combined record is 13–16.

1937 QuarterfinalsSemifinals3rd-place game W 34–33L 33–40L 38–46 1938 First round L 34–43 1940 First round L 33–45 1942 First round L 34–37 1946 First round L 37–63 1948 First round L 60–65 1959 First roundSecond Round W 70–67L 48–59 1961 First round L 60–68 1974 First round L 83–87 1975 First round L 77–88 1980 First roundSecond RoundQuarterfinals W 67–61W 54–53L 53–67 1990 First roundSecond Round W 62–53L 66–70 1991 First roundSecond RoundQuarterfinalsSemifinalsNational Championship Game W 75–66W 99–67W 95–64W 66–60L 74–77 1992 First roundSecond RoundQuarterfinalsSemifinalsNational Championship Game W 77–70W 87–83W 74–62W 72–65L 73–82 1993 First round L 66–78

CBI results The Bears have appeared in the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) one time. Their record is 1–1.

2018 First roundQuarterfinals SeattleJacksonville State W 92–90OTL 59–80

Retired numbers

No. Player Pos. Tenure Ref. Scottie Pippen SF 1983–1987 Jan 2010 Retirement of Jersey Honor for Pippen at UCA.eduCentral Arkansas retires Scottie Pippen's jersey at NBA.com, 20 Jan 2010 Notes

References

External links