UMBC (University of Maryland, Baltimore County) has fielded a basketball program since 1967 and competes in the America East Conference. The 'Retrievers' mascot is a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, the state dog of Maryland. On March 16, 2018, UMBC made history by becoming the first No. 16 seed to defeat a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, stunning Virginia 74-54 in a result that shook college basketball to its core. The victory, led by Jairus Lyles' 28 points, remains the most significant upset in tournament history.
Named the 'Retrievers' after the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, the official state dog of Maryland and a symbol of the Chesapeake Bay region
The historic 74-54 upset of No. 1 overall seed Virginia on March 16, 2018 — the first time a 16-seed ever defeated a 1-seed in the NCAA Tournament
UMBC's stunning 20-point victory over Virginia was so unexpected that an estimated 97.5% of ESPN Tournament Challenge brackets had Virginia advancing — nearly all 18 million brackets were busted
The UMBC Retrievers compete in the America East and hold an all-time record of 502–687 (.422 winning percentage) across 40 recorded seasons dating back to 1986-87.
| Season | Record | Conference | Coach | AP peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 24-8 | 14-2 (AmEast) | Jim Ferry | |
| 2024-25 | 13-19 | 5-11 (AmEast) | Jim Ferry | |
| 2023-24 | 11-21 | 6-10 (AmEast) | Jim Ferry | |
| 2022-23 | 18-14 | 8-8 (AmEast) | Jim Ferry | |
| 2021-22 | 18-14 | 11-7 (AmEast) | Jim Ferry | |
| 2020-21 | 14-6 | 10-4 (AmEast) | Ryan Odom | |
| 2019-20 | 16-17 | 8-8 (AmEast) | Ryan Odom | |
| 2018-19 | 21-13 | 11-5 (AmEast) | Ryan Odom | |
| 2017-18 | 25-11 | 12-4 (AmEast) | Ryan Odom | |
| 2016-17 | 21-13 | 9-7 (AmEast) | Ryan Odom | |
| 2015-16 | 7-25 | 3-13 (AmEast) | Aki Thomas | |
| 2014-15 | 4-26 | 2-14 (AmEast) | Aki Thomas | |
| 2013-14 | 9-21 | 5-11 (AmEast) | Aki Thomas | |
| 2012-13 | 8-23 | 5-11 (AmEast) | Aki Thomas | |
| 2011-12 | 4-26 | 3-13 (AmEast) | Randy Monroe | |
| 2010-11 | 5-25 | 4-12 (AmEast) | Randy Monroe | |
| 2009-10 | 4-26 | 3-13 (AmEast) | Randy Monroe | |
| 2008-09 | 15-17 | 7-9 (AmEast) | Randy Monroe | |
| 2007-08 | 24-9 | 13-3 (AmEast) | Randy Monroe | |
| 2006-07 | 12-19 | 7-9 (AmEast) | Randy Monroe | |
| 2005-06 | 10-19 | 5-11 (AmEast) | Randy Monroe | |
| 2004-05 | 11-18 | 5-13 (AmEast) | Randy Monroe | |
| 2003-04 | 7-21 | 4-14 (AmEast) | Tom Sullivan | |
| 2002-03 | 7-20 | 5-13 (NEC) | Tom Sullivan | |
| 2001-02 | 20-9 | 15-5 (NEC) | Tom Sullivan | |
| 2000-01 | 18-11 | 13-7 (NEC) | Tom Sullivan | |
| 1999-00 | 11-18 | 7-11 (NEC) | Tom Sullivan | |
| 1998-99 | 19-9 | 17-3 (NEC) | Tom Sullivan | |
| 1997-98 | 14-14 | 6-6 (Big South) | Tom Sullivan | |
| 1996-97 | 5-22 | 2-12 (Big South) | Tom Sullivan | |
| 1995-96 | 5-22 | 3-11 (Big South) | Tom Sullivan | |
| 1994-95 | 13-14 | 10-6 (Big South) | Earl Hawkins | |
| 1993-94 | 6-21 | 5-13 (Big South) | Earl Hawkins | |
| 1992-93 | 12-16 | 7-9 (Big South) | Earl Hawkins | |
| 1991-92 | 10-19 | 8-4 (ECC) | Earl Hawkins | |
| 1990-91 | 7-22 | 4-8 (ECC) | Earl Hawkins | |
| 1989-90 | 12-16 | Ind | Earl Hawkins | |
| 1988-89 | 17-11 | Ind | Earl Hawkins | |
| 1987-88 | 13-15 | Ind | Jeff Bzdelik | |
| 1986-87 | 12-16 | Ind | Jeff Bzdelik |
Binghamton Bearcats · Bryant Bulldogs · Maine Black Bears · New Hampshire Wildcats · NJIT Highlanders · UAlbany Great Danes · UMass Lowell River Hawks · Vermont Catamounts
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 |
|---|