Furman Basketball’s Legacy in NCAA Tournament History
Furman clinched the Southern Conference title and earned an automatic berth to the 2026 NCAA Tournament. The Paladins closed the SoCon tournament with three straight wins to secure the spot.
SoCon Tournament Run
Furman opened the conference bracket with a win over Samford. The final score was 86-81.
They followed with an 81-75 victory against UNC Greensboro. The Paladins then beat ETSU 76-61 in the championship game.
NCAA Tournament history
Furman will make its eighth Division I NCAA Tournament appearance in 2026. The program previously qualified in 1971, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1978, 1980, and 2023.
Furman Basketball’s Legacy in NCAA Tournament History is built on occasional upsets and sparse appearances. The Paladins own two tournament wins in Division I play.
| Year | Notable Result |
|---|---|
| 1971 | Appearance |
| 1973 | Appearance |
| 1974 | Defeated South Carolina (win) |
| 1975 | Appearance |
| 1978 | Appearance |
| 1980 | Appearance |
| 2023 | Defeated No. 4 seed Virginia (win) |
| 2026 | Qualified via SoCon championship |
The Paladins enter the NCAA Tournament with an overall Division I tournament record of 2-8. Their two victories came in 1974 and 2023.
Coach Bob Richey
Bob Richey is in his ninth season as Furman’s head coach. He served six years on the Paladin staff before his promotion.
Richey guided Furman to a 23-10 record in his first season as head coach. The program has posted winning records in each season under his leadership.
Furman has reached 20 wins in seven of Richey’s nine campaigns. Before arriving at Furman, he spent five years on the Charleston Southern coaching staff.
Furman stands at 22-12 entering the Big Dance and is riding a three-game win streak. Coverage by Filmogaz.com.
