University La Salle University Colors Blue and Gold Away Alternate Arena/Stadium Tom Gola Arena Division Division I (NCAA) | Nickname Explorers Home Away Head coach John Giannini Conference Atlantic 10 Conference Mascot The Explorer | |
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Location Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | ||
The La Salle Explorers men's basketball program represents La Salle University in college basketball.
Contents
Rivalries
The Explorers, a member of the Big 5, have long-standing rivalries with multiple institutions including Temple University, University of Pennsylvania, Saint Joseph's University, and Villanova University. Another major rival is Drexel University who is a member of the City 6.
History
The program has been rated the 53rd "Greatest College Basketball Program of All-Time" by Street & Smith's magazine and 71st by the ESPN College Basketball Encyclopedia.
La Salle has won one National Championship, one National Invitation Tournament Championship, and advanced to two Final Fours. The Explorers have also made 12 NCAA Tournament appearances, won eight Philadelphia Big 5 city championships, and four Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championships. The program is one of only two schools (with Houston) to have two players in the top 25 in all-time NCAA scoring - Lionel Simmons and Michael Brooks. It's also had three National Players of the Year - only Duke University and Ohio State have had more.
NCAA tournament results
The Explorers have appeared in the NCAA Tournament 12 times. Their combined record is 14–11. They were National Champions in 1954.
NIT results
The Explorers have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) 12 times. Their combined record is 9–11. They were NIT champions in 1952.
Explorers in the NBA
La Salle has an extensive history of players who played professional basketball, including:
Coaches
Current head coach Dr. John Giannini previously coached at Rowan College, where he won the NCAA Division III national championship in 1996, and the University of Maine, where he left with the Black Bears' best winning percentage in school history.