Coaches No. 17 1985–86 record 29–4 (13–1 AMCU-8) Home arena Woodling Gym | AP No. RV Head coach Kevin Mackey | |
Conference Association of Mid-Continent Universities | ||
The 1985–86 Cleveland State Vikings men's basketball team represented Cleveland State University in the 1985–86 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The team was led by third-year head coach Kevin Mackey. In 1984–85, the Vikings finished 21–8 (11–3 in the AMCU-8). It was the 55th season of Cleveland State basketball.
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Regular season
Cleveland State finished the regular season with a 24–3 record and 13–1 in the AMCU-8. That record earned them a #1 seed in the AMCU-8 postseason tournament. They defeated Northern Iowa, Illinois-Chicago, and Eastern Illinois to win the AMCU-8 tournament, however the AMCU-8 would not receive an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament until the 1986-87 season. Nonetheless, Cleveland State received an at large invitation to the NCAA Tournament based on their overall resume. Cleveland State also won 14 games in a row, a school record that still stands today. The streak started on February 27 at Kent State and lasted all the way until they lost to Navy in the Sweet Sixteen on March 21. In the final AP Top 20 poll of the season Cleveland State received 4 points.
Postseason
Cleveland State earned a trip to the NCAA Tournament. They were the #14 seed. They defeated Indiana, and St. Joseph, before losing to Navy 71–70. Cleveland State became the first #14 seed to make it to the Sweet Sixteen. The next season the Vikings started the season ranked 20th in the AP Poll. There was no post NCAA Tournament coaches poll in 1986. Cleveland State was ranked 17th in the final USA Today poll. Cleveland State also set a school record for wins in a season at 29, a record that also still stands today. Clinton Smith was named Cleveland States Varsity "C" Club Player of the Year. Ken McFadden was named an All-American fifth team by Basketball Weekly. Clinton Ransey was also a Sporting News honorable mention All-American. Clinton Ransey and Clinton Smith were each named to the AMCU-8 first team. Ken McFadden was named to the AMCU-8 all-newcomer team. Keven Mackey was named the AMCU-8 coach of the year for the 2nd year in a row. Finally Ken McFadden and Clinton Smith were named to the AMCU-8 all-tournament team.