Florida Atlantic's basketball program started in 1989 and the Owls compete in the AAC (formerly Conference USA). The program gained national fame with its 2023 Final Four run, one of the most improbable Cinderella stories in NCAA Tournament history. FAU has rapidly risen in the college basketball landscape.
The Owls nickname was chosen because the burrowing owl is native to the FAU campus in Boca Raton, Florida, and has been a protected species on the university grounds.
The 2023 Final Four run as a No. 9 seed under coach Dusty May, defeating Memphis, FDU, Tennessee, and Kansas State before falling to San Diego State in the semifinal.
FAU's campus in Boca Raton is home to a protected colony of burrowing owls that nest in the ground throughout campus — students are careful not to disturb the real-life mascots.
The Florida Atlantic Owls compete in the AAC and hold an all-time record of 425–576 (.425 winning percentage) across 33 recorded seasons dating back to 1993-94. The program has reached 1 Final Four.
| Season | Record | Conference | Coach | AP peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 18-15 | 9-9 (American) | John Jakus | |
| 2024-25 | 18-16 | 10-8 (AAC) | John Jakus | |
| 2023-24 | 25-9 | 14-4 (AAC) | Dusty May | AP #7 |
| 2022-23 | 35-4 | 18-2 (CUSA) | Dusty May | AP #19 |
| 2021-22 | 19-15 | 11-7 (CUSA) | Dusty May | |
| 2020-21 | 13-10 | 7-5 (CUSA) | Dusty May | |
| 2019-20 | 17-15 | 8-10 (CUSA) | Dusty May | |
| 2018-19 | 17-16 | 8-10 (CUSA) | Dusty May | |
| 2017-18 | 12-19 | 6-12 (CUSA) | Michael Curry | |
| 2016-17 | 10-20 | 6-12 (CUSA) | Michael Curry | |
| 2015-16 | 8-25 | 5-13 (CUSA) | Michael Curry | |
| 2014-15 | 9-20 | 2-16 (CUSA) | Michael Curry | |
| 2013-14 | 10-22 | 5-11 (CUSA) | Mike Jarvis | |
| 2012-13 | 14-18 | 9-11 (Sun Belt) | Mike Jarvis | |
| 2011-12 | 11-19 | 7-9 (Sun Belt) | Mike Jarvis | |
| 2010-11 | 21-11 | 13-3 (Sun Belt) | Mike Jarvis | |
| 2009-10 | 14-16 | 10-8 (Sun Belt) | Mike Jarvis | |
| 2008-09 | 6-26 | 2-16 (Sun Belt) | Mike Jarvis | |
| 2007-08 | 15-18 | 8-10 (Sun Belt) | Rex Walters | |
| 2006-07 | 16-15 | 10-8 (Sun Belt) | Rex Walters | |
| 2005-06 | 15-13 | 14-6 (A-Sun) | Matt Doherty | |
| 2004-05 | 10-17 | 10-10 (A-Sun) | Sidney Green | |
| 2003-04 | 9-19 | 6-14 (A-Sun) | Sidney Green | |
| 2002-03 | 7-21 | 3-13 (A-Sun) | Sidney Green | |
| 2001-02 | 19-12 | 13-7 (A-Sun) | Sidney Green | |
| 2000-01 | 7-24 | 5-13 (TAAC) | Sidney Green | |
| 1999-00 | 2-28 | 0-18 (TAAC) | Sidney Green | |
| 1998-99 | 6-20 | 3-13 (TAAC) | Kevin Billerman | |
| 1997-98 | 5-22 | 5-11 (TAAC) | Kevin Billerman | |
| 1996-97 | 16-11 | 11-5 (TAAC) | Kevin Billerman | |
| 1995-96 | 9-18 | 5-11 (TAAC) | Kevin Billerman | |
| 1994-95 | 9-18 | TAAC | Tim Loomis | |
| 1993-94 | 3-24 | TAAC | Tim Loomis |
Charlotte 49ers · East Carolina Pirates · Memphis Tigers · North Texas Mean Green · Rice Owls · South Florida Bulls · Temple Owls · Tulane Green Wave · Tulsa Golden Hurricane · UAB Blazers · UTSA Roadrunners · Wichita State Shockers
All Division I programs · Historical rankings · Championship journeys · Hoopsipedia home
| 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 |
|---|