Tarleton State Texans men's basketball


The Tarleton State Texans men's basketball team, also known as the Tarleton Texans, represents Tarleton State University, located in Stephenville, Texas, in NCAA Division I as a member of the Western Athletic Conference. Through the 2019–20 season, the team competed in NCAA Division II as a member of the Lone Star Conference.
In 2019–20, a year after being named Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Year and first team All-Lone Star Conference, senior Josh Hawley was named the Lone Star Conference co-preseason Player of the Year and a Street & Smith preseason All-American. He closed out his Tarleton State career fourth all-time in scoring and third all-time in rebounds, steals, and blocks.
The Texans made their Division I debut under first-year head coach Billy Gillispie for the 2020–21 season.
Through the 2024–25 season, the team played home games at Wisdom Gym on its campus in Stephenville. In the 2025–26 season, the team moved to the new EECU Center, having played its final home game in Wisdom Gym on March 8, 2025. In the same game, played Freddy Hicks became the first player for the team to score 1,000 points in the Division I era.

Postseason results

CBI results

Tarleton State has appeared in one College Basketball Invitational. Their record is 0–1.
2023First RoundRadfordL 70–72OT

CIT results

The Texans have appeared in one CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament. Their combined record is 2–1.
2024First Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Texas Southern
Abilene Christian
Purdue Fort Wayne
W 82–71
W 86–59
L 72–73

NCAA Division II tournament results

The Texans have appeared in fourteen NCAA Division II Tournaments. Their combined record is 22–14.
2002First RoundIncarnate WordL 59–72
2003First Round
Second Round
Regional Final
St. Mary's (TX)
Northwest Missouri State
Northeastern State
W 65–43
W 73–58
L 46–48
2004First Round
Second Round
Texas A&M–Kingsville
Drury
W 77–74
L 73–78OT
2005First Round
Second Round
Regional Final
Elite Eight
Final Four
Central Missouri
Pittsburg State
Texas A&M–Commerce
Cal Poly Pomona
Bryant
W 75–72
W 69–59OT
W 75–70
W 58–56
L 55–60
2006First Round
Second Round
Regional Final
Elite Eight
Central Oklahoma
Central Missouri
Northwest Missouri State
Stonehill
W 75–68
W 62–59
W 72–71
L 59–69
2008First Round
Second Round
Regional Final
St. Mary's
Southwest Baptist
Central Oklahoma
W 70–62
W 80–72
L 76–77
2010First Round
Second Round
Nebraska–Omaha
Midwestern State
W 75–71
L 56–71
2011First RoundMidwestern StateL 51–64
2012First Round
Second Round
Missouri Southern
Arkansas Tech
W 69–52
L 63–64OT
2013First RoundMetro StateL 65–76
2014First Round
Second Round
Texas A&M International
Midwestern State
W 92–56
L 68–74
2015First Round
Second Round
Regional Final
Elite Eight
Final Four
St. Mary's
Colorado–Colorado Springs
Angelo State
Mount Olive
Indiana (PA)
W 71–52
W 84–62
W 66–64
W 77–59
L 68–72
2016First Round
Second Round
Regional Final
Elite Eight
Colorado Mines
Lubbock Christian
Angelo State
Augustana (SD)
W 83–61
W 69–63
W 77–72
L 79–86
2017First RoundFort LewisL 90–94OT

Notable players