# Mercer Bears men's basketball

The Mercer Bears men's basketball team represents Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, United States. The school's team competes in the Southern Conference. They are led by head coach Ryan Ridder and play their home games at Hawkins Arena. The Bears have appeared three times in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, most recently in 2014. At the 2014 NCAA tournament, Mercer pulled off an upset, eliminating #3 seeded Duke from the tournament in a 78-71 victory.

## History

Mercer has competed in the NCAA tournament three times, including 1981 and 1985; the team lost in the first round in both years. The Bears won the 2012 CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament, defeating Utah State in the championship game; the victory was the first postseason championship won by a team from the Atlantic Sun Conference.
Mercer's biggest win occurred at the 2014 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, where they beat third-seed Duke in the second round.

## Postseason
### NCAA Division I tournament results

The Bears have appeared in three NCAA Division I Tournaments. Their combined record is 1–3. Their latest appearance was the 2014 NCAA Tournament.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
| 1981 | First round | Arkansas | L 67–73 |
| 1985 | First round | Georgia Tech | L 58–65 |
| 2014 | Second Round Third round | Duke Tennessee | W 78–71 L 63–83 |

### NCAA Division II tournament results

The Bears have appeared in one NCAA Division II tournament. Their record is 0–2.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
| 1972 | Regional semifinals Regional 3rd-place game | Roanoke Florida Southern | L 72–78 L 83–85 |

### NIT results

The Bears have appeared in one National Invitation Tournament (NIT). Their record is 1–1.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
| 2013 | First round Second Round | Tennessee BYU | W 75–67 L 71–90 |

### CBI results

The Bears have appeared in the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) two times. Their combined record is 2–2.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
| 2015 | First round Quarterfinals | Stony Brook Louisiana–Monroe | W 72–70 L 69–71 |
| 2018 | First round Quarterfinals | Grand Canyon North Texas | W 78–73 L 67–96 |

### CIT results

The Bears have appeared in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) two times. They are 5–1 and were champions in 2012.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
| 2012 | First round Second Round Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals | Tennessee State Georgia State Old Dominion Fairfield Utah State | W 68–60 W 64–59 W 79–73 W 64–59 W 70–67 |
| 2016 | First round | Coastal Carolina | L 57–65 |

### NAIA Tournament results

The Bears have appeared in two NAIA Tournaments. Their combined record is 0–2.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
| 1948 | First round | Hamline | L 41–85 |
| 1954 | First round | Arkansas Tech | L 72–100 |

### NIBT results

The Bears participated in the 1922 National Intercollegiate Basketball Tournament, the first national championship tournament ever held in intercollegiate basketball. Their record is 0–1.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
| 1922 | Semifinals | Wabash | L 25–62 |

## Players
### Retired numbers

Mercer has retired six numbers in program history.
Mercer Bears retired numbers :
| No. | Player | Years |
| 4 | Scott Emerson | 1999–2004 |
| 7 | Tommy Mixon | 1951–1955 |
| 13 | Glenn Wilkes | 1946–1950 |
| 21 | Langston Hall | 2010–2014 |
| 24 | Eric Chambers | 1983–1985 |
| 42 | Sam Mitchell | 1981–1985 |