UC Riverside's basketball program began in 1954 and moved to Division I in 2001. The Highlanders compete in the Big West Conference and have steadily built competitiveness since their D-I transition.
The Highlanders name reflects the campus's location at the base of the Box Springs Mountains in the Inland Empire, referencing the Scottish highland warriors.
Earning the program's first-ever Division I postseason berth in the 2025 National Invitation Tournament.
UC Riverside's mascot Scotty the Bear is a unique combination — a Scottish highland bear wearing a kilt, blending the Highlander identity with a bear, the symbol of California.
The UC Riverside Highlanders compete in the Big West and hold an all-time record of 297–454 (.395 winning percentage) across 25 recorded seasons dating back to 2001-02.
| Season | Record | Conference | Coach | AP peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 10-22 | 5-15 (Big West) | Gus Argenal | |
| 2024-25 | 21-13 | 14-6 (Big West) | Mike Magpayo | |
| 2023-24 | 16-18 | 10-10 (Big West) | Mike Magpayo | |
| 2022-23 | 22-12 | 14-6 (Big West) | Mike Magpayo | |
| 2021-22 | 16-12 | 10-7 (Big West) | Mike Magpayo | |
| 2020-21 | 14-8 | 10-5 (Big West) | Mike Magpayo | |
| 2019-20 | 17-15 | 7-9 (Big West) | David Patrick | |
| 2018-19 | 10-23 | 4-12 (Big West) | David Patrick | |
| 2017-18 | 9-22 | 4-12 (Big West) | Dennis Cutts,Justin Bell | |
| 2016-17 | 8-21 | 5-11 (Big West) | Dennis Cutts | |
| 2015-16 | 14-19 | 5-11 (Big West) | Dennis Cutts | |
| 2014-15 | 14-17 | 7-9 (Big West) | Dennis Cutts | |
| 2013-14 | 10-21 | 5-11 (Big West) | Dennis Cutts | |
| 2012-13 | 6-25 | 3-15 (Big West) | Jim Wooldridge | |
| 2011-12 | 14-17 | 7-9 (Big West) | Jim Wooldridge | |
| 2010-11 | 12-19 | 6-10 (Big West) | Jim Wooldridge | |
| 2009-10 | 12-17 | 5-11 (Big West) | Jim Wooldridge | |
| 2008-09 | 17-13 | 8-8 (Big West) | Jim Wooldridge | |
| 2007-08 | 9-21 | 4-12 (Big West) | Jim Wooldridge | |
| 2006-07 | 7-24 | 1-13 (Big West) | Vonn Webb | |
| 2005-06 | 5-23 | 3-11 (Big West) | David Spencer | |
| 2004-05 | 9-19 | 4-14 (Big West) | John Masi | |
| 2003-04 | 11-17 | 7-11 (Big West) | John Masi | |
| 2002-03 | 6-18 | 5-13 (Big West) | John Masi | |
| 2001-02 | 8-18 | 5-13 (Big West) | John Masi |
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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 |
|---|