Incarnate Word's basketball program began in 1980 at the Catholic university in San Antonio, Texas. The Cardinals transitioned to Division I in 2013, joining the Southland Conference. The program is still building its D-I identity in one of Texas's most basketball-rich cities.
The Cardinals nickname references the cardinal bird, symbolizing vitality and spirit, and also connects to the Catholic tradition — cardinals being senior officials of the Church.
Completing the transition to full Division I status, marking a significant milestone for the small Catholic university in San Antonio.
Incarnate Word's campus is located in the Alamo Heights area of San Antonio, just minutes from the historic Alamo and the famous San Antonio River Walk.
The Incarnate Word Cardinals compete in the Southland and hold an all-time record of 156–231 (.403 winning percentage) across 13 recorded seasons dating back to 2013-14.
| Season | Record | Conference | Coach | AP peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 12-19 | 7-15 (Southland) | Shane Heirman | |
| 2024-25 | 19-17 | 9-11 (Southland) | Shane Heirman | |
| 2023-24 | 8-23 | 3-15 (Southland) | Shane Heirman | |
| 2022-23 | 12-19 | 6-12 (Southland) | Carson Cunningham | |
| 2021-22 | 7-25 | 3-11 (Southland) | Carson Cunningham | |
| 2020-21 | 8-14 | 5-9 (Southland) | Carson Cunningham | |
| 2019-20 | 9-22 | 6-14 (Southland) | Carson Cunningham | |
| 2018-19 | 6-25 | 1-17 (Southland) | Carson Cunningham | |
| 2017-18 | 7-21 | 2-16 (Southland) | Ken Burmeister | |
| 2016-17 | 12-17 | 7-11 (Southland) | Ken Burmeister | |
| 2015-16 | 17-12 | 12-6 (Southland) | Ken Burmeister | |
| 2014-15 | 18-11 | 10-8 (Southland) | Ken Burmeister | |
| 2013-14 | 21-6 | 9-5 (Southland) | Ken Burmeister |
East Texas A&M Lions · Houston Christian Huskies · Lamar Cardinals · McNeese Cowboys · New Orleans Privateers · Nicholls Colonels · Northwestern State Demons · SE Louisiana Lions · Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks · Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders · UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros
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 |
|---|