Alabama State's basketball program started around 1930 at the HBCU in Montgomery, Alabama. The Hornets compete in the SWAC and have won multiple conference titles. The program has produced several professional players and remains a proud member of the HBCU basketball tradition.
The Hornets nickname reflects the aggressive, stinging defense the teams were known for, adopted in the early decades of the university's athletic program.
Beating Saint Francis (PA) 70-68 in the 2025 First Four on Amarr Knox's layup with one second left — the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament victory and its most prominent national stage moment.
Alabama State's Dunn-Oliver Acadome is one of the largest on-campus arenas in the SWAC, seating over 7,000 fans.
The Alabama State Hornets compete in the SWAC and hold an all-time record of 605–703 (.463 winning percentage) across 44 recorded seasons dating back to 1982-83.
| Season | Record | Conference | Coach | AP peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 10-22 | 7-11 (SWAC) | Tony Madlock | |
| 2024-25 | 20-16 | 12-6 (SWAC) | Tony Madlock | |
| 2023-24 | 13-19 | 8-10 (SWAC) | Tony Madlock | |
| 2022-23 | 8-23 | 6-12 (SWAC) | Tony Madlock | |
| 2021-22 | 10-21 | 8-10 (SWAC) | Mo Williams | |
| 2020-21 | 4-14 | 4-14 (SWAC) | Mo Williams | |
| 2019-20 | 8-24 | 7-11 (SWAC) | Lewis Jackson | |
| 2018-19 | 12-19 | 9-9 (SWAC) | Lewis Jackson | |
| 2017-18 | 8-23 | 8-10 (SWAC) | Lewis Jackson | |
| 2016-17 | 8-23 | 6-12 (SWAC) | Lewis Jackson | |
| 2015-16 | 14-17 | 9-9 (SWAC) | Lewis Jackson | |
| 2014-15 | 19-10 | 14-4 (SWAC) | Lewis Jackson | |
| 2013-14 | 19-13 | 12-6 (SWAC) | Lewis Jackson | |
| 2012-13 | 10-22 | 8-10 (SWAC) | Lewis Jackson | |
| 2011-12 | 12-19 | 9-9 (SWAC) | Lewis Jackson | |
| 2010-11 | 17-18 | 11-7 (SWAC) | Lewis Jackson | |
| 2009-10 | 16-15 | 12-6 (SWAC) | Lewis Jackson | |
| 2008-09 | 22-10 | 16-2 (SWAC) | Lewis Jackson | |
| 2007-08 | 20-11 | 15-3 (SWAC) | Lewis Jackson | |
| 2006-07 | 10-20 | 8-10 (SWAC) | Lewis Jackson | |
| 2005-06 | 12-18 | 10-8 (SWAC) | Lewis Jackson | |
| 2004-05 | 15-15 | 11-7 (SWAC) | Rob Spivery | |
| 2003-04 | 16-15 | 11-7 (SWAC) | Rob Spivery | |
| 2002-03 | 14-15 | 11-7 (SWAC) | Rob Spivery | |
| 2001-02 | 19-13 | 12-6 (SWAC) | Rob Spivery | |
| 2000-01 | 22-9 | 15-3 (SWAC) | Rob Spivery | |
| 1999-00 | 13-15 | 10-8 (SWAC) | Rob Spivery | |
| 1998-99 | 11-16 | 8-8 (SWAC) | Rob Spivery | |
| 1997-98 | 11-17 | 6-10 (SWAC) | Rob Spivery | |
| 1996-97 | 8-21 | 5-9 (SWAC) | Rob Spivery | |
| 1995-96 | 9-18 | 5-9 (SWAC) | John L. Williams | |
| 1994-95 | 11-15 | 8-6 (SWAC) | James Oliver | |
| 1993-94 | 19-10 | 10-4 (SWAC) | James Oliver | |
| 1992-93 | 14-13 | 9-5 (SWAC) | James Oliver | |
| 1991-92 | 14-14 | 8-6 (SWAC) | James Oliver | |
| 1990-91 | 18-11 | 7-5 (SWAC) | James Oliver | |
| 1989-90 | 15-13 | 7-7 (SWAC) | James Oliver | |
| 1988-89 | 13-16 | 7-7 (SWAC) | James Oliver | |
| 1987-88 | 8-20 | 4-10 (SWAC) | James Oliver | |
| 1986-87 | 14-14 | 7-7 (SWAC) | James Oliver | |
| 1985-86 | 11-17 | 4-10 (SWAC) | James Oliver | |
| 1984-85 | 14-17 | 7-7 (SWAC) | James Oliver | |
| 1983-84 | 22-6 | 11-3 (SWAC) | James Oliver | |
| 1982-83 | 22-6 | 12-2 (SWAC) | James Oliver |
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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 |
|---|