Chicago State's basketball program started in 1967 on the far south side of Chicago. The Cougars have competed in several conferences and have faced significant challenges with funding and enrollment. Despite struggles, the program has maintained Division I status and joined the NEC.
The Cougars nickname was chosen to represent speed and ferocity, giving the urban commuter campus a strong athletic identity.
Finishing third at the 1984 NAIA national tournament under coach Bob Hallberg, capping a semifinal run that remains the deepest postseason showing in program history.
Chicago State's campus has one of the most unique Division I settings — located on the city's south side near the historic Pullman neighborhood, a designated National Monument.
The Chicago State Cougars compete in the NEC and hold an all-time record of 315–905 (.258 winning percentage) across 42 recorded seasons dating back to 1984-85.
| Season | Record | Conference | Coach | AP peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 7-25 | 5-13 (NEC) | Landon Bussie | |
| 2024-25 | 4-28 | 4-12 (NEC) | Scott Spinelli | |
| 2023-24 | 13-19 | Ind | Gerald Gillion | |
| 2022-23 | 11-20 | Ind | Gerald Gillion | |
| 2021-22 | 7-25 | 3-15 (WAC) | Gerald Gillion | |
| 2020-21 | 0-9 | WAC | Lance Irvin | |
| 2019-20 | 4-25 | 0-14 (WAC) | Lance Irvin | |
| 2018-19 | 3-29 | 0-16 (WAC) | Lance Irvin | |
| 2017-18 | 3-29 | 1-13 (WAC) | Tracy Dildy | |
| 2016-17 | 6-26 | 1-13 (WAC) | Tracy Dildy | |
| 2015-16 | 4-28 | 0-14 (WAC) | Tracy Dildy | |
| 2014-15 | 8-24 | 4-10 (WAC) | Tracy Dildy | |
| 2013-14 | 13-19 | 8-8 (WAC) | Tracy Dildy | |
| 2012-13 | 11-22 | 3-5 (GWC) | Tracy Dildy | |
| 2011-12 | 4-26 | 2-8 (GWC) | Tracy Dildy | |
| 2010-11 | 6-26 | 3-9 (GWC) | Tracy Dildy | |
| 2009-10 | 9-23 | 4-8 (GWC) | Benjy Taylor | |
| 2008-09 | 19-13 | Ind | Benjy Taylor | |
| 2007-08 | 11-17 | Ind | Benjy Taylor | |
| 2006-07 | 9-20 | Ind | Kevin Jones | |
| 2005-06 | 11-19 | 8-8 (Mid-Cont) | Kevin Jones | |
| 2004-05 | 9-19 | 7-9 (Mid-Cont) | Kevin Jones | |
| 2003-04 | 12-20 | 9-7 (Mid-Cont) | Kevin Jones | |
| 2002-03 | 3-27 | 0-14 (Mid-Cont) | Bo Ellis,Kevin Jones | |
| 2001-02 | 2-26 | 0-14 (Mid-Cont) | Bo Ellis | |
| 2000-01 | 5-23 | 2-14 (Mid-Cont) | Bo Ellis | |
| 1999-00 | 10-18 | 7-9 (Mid-Cont) | Bo Ellis | |
| 1998-99 | 3-24 | 3-11 (Mid-Cont) | Bo Ellis | |
| 1997-98 | 2-25 | 2-14 (Mid-Cont) | Phillip Gary | |
| 1996-97 | 4-23 | 4-12 (Mid-Cont) | Craig Hodges,Phillip Gary | |
| 1995-96 | 2-25 | 2-16 (Mid-Cont) | Craig Hodges | |
| 1994-95 | 6-20 | 6-12 (Mid-Cont) | Craig Hodges | |
| 1993-94 | 4-23 | 2-3 (ECC) | Rick Pryor | |
| 1992-93 | 4-23 | Ind | Rick Pryor | |
| 1991-92 | 7-21 | Ind | Rick Pryor | |
| 1990-91 | 4-24 | Ind | Rick Pryor | |
| 1989-90 | 6-22 | Ind | Tommy Suitts | |
| 1988-89 | 12-16 | Ind | Tommy Suitts | |
| 1987-88 | 8-20 | Ind | Tommy Suitts | |
| 1986-87 | 11-17 | Ind | Bob Hallberg | |
| 1985-86 | 22-6 | Ind | Bob Hallberg | |
| 1984-85 | 16-11 | Ind | Bob Hallberg |
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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 |
|---|