In the great history of Texas A&M-Commerce Men’s Basketball, there has been success on all levels, starting with the NAIB, the NAIA, NCAA Division II, and now the Lions are carving a trail in Division I. The NAIA years were extremely fruitful, but in 1982, the Lions moved to NCAA Division II. This was one of the reasons that the legendary Jim Gudger left East Texas State, as he opposed the move, and for a while, it looked like it he was right. The Lions won the Lone Star Conference Championship in 1984 and 1990 under the leadership of Jerry Matthews and had success, but it would not be until Paul Peak arrived in Commerce in 1991 that the Lions would become not only conference title contenders, but national contenders again.

Peak led the Lions to their first NCAA tournament appearance in 1996 and returned in 1997 and also in 1998 in addition to LSC Championships in 1996 and 1998. Peak’s 1997 team got to the Elite 8 for the first time in the NCAA era for the Lions. Peak left Commerce after the 1999-2000 season, and he was succeeded by his assistant, Sam Walker.

Walker started his career as head coach with a 56-55 record in his first four seasons, but in 2004-05, Walker led his squad to things that had not been done in a while and stunned the LSC and all of NCAA Division II. The Lions started the season with an incredible 12-2 non-conference record to put the conference on notice that this would be like the previous season. The Lions then went 10-2 in the Lone Star Conference, capturing the regular season title. However, the LSC tournament had been a place where Lion dreams had gone to die so many times. In the first round, TAMUC downed Southeastern Oklahoma 49-42, and then in the semifinals, met up with Tarleton State again. This was the game that was the defacto Conference tournament championship game. The Lions had stolen a tough game earlier on the season 62-60, and this game was no different. The only difference was a tough University Fieldhouse crowd that helped the Lions scratch and crawl to a 68-67 win which moved them to the LSC tournament title game in which they defeated West Texas A&M 77-62. The Lions had won their Division, The Conference, and the Conference tournament. Next up was the NCAA tournament.

Commerce was selected as the host site for the NCAA Division II South Central Regional tournament. In The South Central Quarterfinals, the Lions defeated Southwestern Oklahoma 62-57 and Central Oklahoma 81-73 in regional semifinals, sending them to the Elite 8 and setting them up for matchup with Tarleton State for the 3rd time for the South Central Regional title. In front of a packed University Fieldhouse, the Lions and Texans battled yet again but this time, the trip to the Elite 8 was to be the Texans as well as the South Central Regional Championship as the Texans edged out a 75-70 win over the Lions.

Despite the disappointment of the Regional finals, The Lions had plenty to be proud of and to show for. It was their best finish since 1997 and the accolades poured in after it was all said and done in one sweet season.

LSC Player of the Year
Jermart Miller

LSC Newcomer of the Year
Jermart Miller

First Team All-LSC
Jermart Miller

Second Team All-LSC
Matthew Rager
Allen Walker

Honorable Mention All-LSC
Chris Fantroy