North Alabama Lions men's basketball
| North Alabama Lions | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| University | University of North Alabama |
| Conference | Gulf South |
| Location | Florence, AL |
| Head coach | Bobby Champagne (4th year) |
| Arena |
Flowers Hall (Capacity: 3,800) |
| Nickname | Lions |
| Colors | Purple and Gold |
The North Alabama Lions men's basketball team represents University of North Alabama in Florence, Alabama, United States. The school's team currently competes in the Gulf South Conference. In 2018, they will join the Atlantic Sun Conference in all sports, including men's basketball.
The program began in 1932. The program has earned two national championships, made five Final Four appearances and played in nine NCAA championship tournaments.
Eddie Flowers is considered the father of UNA men’s basketball. After his arrival at what was then known as Florence State Teachers College in 1929, Flowers initiated the school’s athletic program in 1932 and coached the first basketball team that season. Flowers served as basketball coach until 1948 and remained the athletic director until 1972. Flowers Hall, the university’s basketball facility, is named after the long-serving coach and athletic administrator.
Flower’s successor Ed Billingham coached the team for the next 24 years, winning 249 games. He also led the Lions to the NAIA National Tournament in 1960 and 1962.
Bill E. Jones assumed the head coaching job in 1972, posting a 28–17 record over two seasons.
Hired as head coach in 1974, Bill L. Jones, a Lion basketball alumnus, led UNA to six NCAA Tournament appearances and four appearances at the Final Four, including an NCAA Division II National Championship in 1979. UNA was the first Alabama college or university to win a national championship title in basketball and is only one of four Division II programs to have earned more than one Division II basketball national championships.
Under Jones’ leadership, the Lions secured three Gulf South Conference championships in 1977, 1981, and 1984 and three GSC Tournament Titles in 1981, 1984 and 1988. Jones led UNA to NCAA Tournaments in 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1984 and 1988, with his teams winning regional crowns in 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1984.
During Jones’ tenure, UNA also went to the Final Four in 1977, 1979, 1980 and 1984. During Jones’ 14-season UNA basketball coaching career, his teams amassed a 165–37 home record at Flowers Hall for an 81.7 winning percentage.
Over the course of his 15-season tenure at UNA, Coach Gary Elliot, secured a 252–140 overall record and a 148–49 home record. He also led the Lions to their second national championship in 1991, as well as to four NCAA appearances in 1991, 1994, 1995, and 1996.
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