Central Arkansas' basketball program began around 1920 in Conway, Arkansas. The Bears transitioned from Division II to Division I in 2006 and joined the ASUN Conference. UCA was a small-college power before making the jump, reaching back-to-back NAIA national championship games in 1991 and 1992 before moving up through Division II.
The Bears nickname was adopted in the early days of the university, representing the strength and determination associated with the black bears native to Arkansas.
Scottie Pippen's collegiate career at Central Arkansas in the mid-1980s, where the future NBA legend developed from a walk-on manager into an All-Conference player.
NBA legend Scottie Pippen played at Central Arkansas, walking on as a freshman equipment manager before growing six inches and becoming a starter — one of the greatest development stories in basketball history.
The Central Arkansas Bears compete in the ASUN and hold an all-time record of 201–408 (.330 winning percentage) across 20 recorded seasons dating back to 2006-07.
| Season | Record | Conference | Coach | AP peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 22-12 | 15-3 (A-Sun) | John Shulman | |
| 2024-25 | 9-24 | 4-14 (A-Sun) | John Shulman | |
| 2023-24 | 9-23 | 5-11 (A-Sun) | Anthony Boone | |
| 2022-23 | 9-22 | 4-14 (A-Sun) | Anthony Boone | |
| 2021-22 | 11-20 | 7-9 (A-Sun) | Anthony Boone | |
| 2020-21 | 5-19 | 4-12 (Southland) | Anthony Boone | |
| 2019-20 | 10-21 | 9-11 (Southland) | Anthony Boone,Russ Pennell | |
| 2018-19 | 14-19 | 8-10 (Southland) | Russ Pennell | |
| 2017-18 | 18-17 | 10-8 (Southland) | Russ Pennell | |
| 2016-17 | 8-24 | 7-11 (Southland) | Russ Pennell | |
| 2015-16 | 7-21 | 6-12 (Southland) | Russ Pennell | |
| 2014-15 | 2-27 | 2-16 (Southland) | Russ Pennell | |
| 2013-14 | 8-21 | 5-13 (Southland) | Clarence Finley | |
| 2012-13 | 13-17 | 7-11 (Southland) | Corliss Williamson | |
| 2011-12 | 8-21 | 3-13 (Southland) | Corliss Williamson | |
| 2010-11 | 5-24 | 1-15 (Southland) | Corliss Williamson | |
| 2009-10 | 9-21 | 3-13 (Southland) | Rand Chappell | |
| 2008-09 | 10-19 | 3-13 (Southland) | Rand Chappell | |
| 2007-08 | 14-16 | 4-12 (Southland) | Rand Chappell | |
| 2006-07 | 10-20 | 4-12 (Southland) | Rand Chappell |
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| Rank | Team | Conference | All-Time Wins |
|---|
Top 100 by all-time D1 wins. Verified against the NCAA record book — and tiered so you can argue properly.
| # | COACH | RECORD | WIN % | SCHOOL(S) | YEARS | BEST SEASON / LEGACY |
|---|