Bryant Bulldogs men's basketball


The Bryant Bulldogs men's basketball team represents Bryant University in NCAA Division I men's basketball. The team currently competes in the Northeast Conference. They are led by head coach Jared Grasso and play their home games at the Chace Athletic Center.

History

Bryant University competed in the NAIA as an NAIA independent program from 1963 until 1976 as the Bryant College Indians before the college became a member of the NCAA Division II level in 1977. Bryant's most successful season during the college's tenure in the NAIA came in the 1966–67 season when the team recorded an undefeated regular season, going 22–0 before losing the final two games of the 1966–67 season in the District 32 Tournament. The 22–2 overall record was the team's best during the NAIA years. The 22 wins set a team high win streak that still stands as a school record as of 2012. And the 22 total wins was not eclipsed until the 2003–04 season.
Within a few seasons of transitioning to NCAA Division II, the college became a charter member of the Northeast-10 Conference in 1980.
In 2008, Bryant began the transition to Division I with former Ohio University coach Tim O'Shea. The 2012–13 season marked the first year Bryant was eligible for the postseason, in which they qualified for the 2013 College Basketball Invitational.
O'Shea retired following the 2017-18 season and Jared Grasso was named head coach on April 2, 2018. Grasso orchestrated one of the nation's best turnarounds in his first season in Smithfield, improving the Bulldogs to a 10-win total after inheriting a squad that went 3-28 the prior season. Grasso was named a finalist for the Joe B. Hall Coach of the Year Award, given to the nation's top first-year head coach. The Bulldogs would continue to improve in 2019-20, rising to 15 victories including a win over Fordham in December.

Postseason

NCAA Division II Tournament results

The Bulldogs have appeared in seven NCAA Division II Tournaments. Their combined record is 10–9.
1978Regional Semifinals
Regional 3rd Place Game		Merrimack
Bridgeport		L 91–116
L 85–89
1980Regional Semifinals
Regional 3rd Place Game		Springfield
Quinnipiac		L 78–91
L 97–102
2004Regional Quarterfinals
Regional Semifinals
Regional Finals		C.W. Post
New York Tech
UMass Lowell		W 65–63
W 64–60
L 62–63
2005Regional Quarterfinals
Regional Semifinals
Regional Finals
Elite Eight
Final Four
National Championship Game		Adelphi
Bloomfield
Bentley
Mount Olive
Tarleton State
Virginia Union		W 69–48
W 76–59
W 74–64
W 84–69
W 60–55
L 58–63
2006Regional QuarterfinalsUMass LowellL 67–77
2007Regional Quarterfinals
Regional Semifinals
Regional Finals		Adelphi
Saint Rose
Bentley		W 77–55
W 65–62
L 54–63
2008Regional Quarterfinals
Regional Semifinals		C.W. Post
Bentley		W 63–56
L 41–60

NAIA Tournament results

The Bulldogs have appeared in one NAIA Tournament. Their record is 0–1.
1975First RoundWinona StateL 72–93

CBI results

The Bulldogs have appeared in one College Basketball Invitational. Their record is 0–1.
2013First RoundRichmondL 71–76

Coaches

Bryant University has had seven coaches during its history:
Head CoachYearsRecordWin %
Earl Shannon1963–6412–11.522
Tom Duffy1964–6870–22.761
Tom Foliard1968–78174–88.664
Leon Drury1978–89126–182.410
Ed Reilly1989–01109–209.343
Max Good2001–08133–85.607
Tim O'Shea2008–201896–210.314
Jared Grasso2018–present25–37.403
Totals1963–2020745–844.469

Record Book

Year-by-year