The 2022-23 Southern Miss men’s basketball team has etched itself in history as the most-improved team in Division I history.
According to NCAA records, which date back to 1974, the Golden Eagles’ +18 improvement is now considered the best of all time. To determine games improved, the NCAA adds the difference in victories between the two seasons to the difference in losses and then divides the total by two. Postseason contests are included in the calculation.
Southern Miss, which won the 2022-23 Sun Belt Regular-Season Championship while posting a 25-8 record, improved from 7-26 the previous year. The Golden Eagles also achieved a perfect 15-0 record at home.
USM’s momentous season ended with a first-round exit in the National Invitation Tournament against UAB, led by former Ole Miss head coach Andy Kennedy.
The previous most-improved team in NCAA Division I history was the 2013 Towson team, which improved by +17.5.
2022-23 Most Improved Men’s Basketball Teams:
1. Southern Miss (+18)
2. Florida Atlantic (+13.5)
T3. Marshall (+12.5)
T3. Charleston (+12.5)
T3. Duquesne (+12.5)
T3. Northwestern State (+12.5)
