March Madness Spotlight: Nicholls State Colonels

NCAA Tournament Appearances
2 (1995, 1998)

NCAA Tournament Record
0-2

NIT Appearances
1 (2022)

Nicholls State’s basketball journey began with its first team in 1958, competing in the now defunct NCAA College Division. The program transitioned to NCAA Division II in the 1970s, achieving notable success, including appearances in the NCAA Division II Tournament in 1976 and 1979. These tournaments showcased the team’s potential, with the Colonels reaching the Elite Eight both times.

In 1980, Nicholls State moved to NCAA Division I, marking a new chapter in its history. The program joined the Southland Conference in 1991, where it has competed since. The Colonels have claimed multiple conference championships, including regular-season titles in 1995, 1998, 2018, 2021, and 2022

Several notable players to have suited up for the Colonels include Gerard King, who guided the Colonels to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 1995. He later played for the Spurs and Warriors from 1999-2001. Perhaps the greatest player in Nicholls State, Ronnie Price, transferred to Utah Valley after one season with the Colonels (2001-2002). He would later have a 13 year career for various teams in the NBA (2005-2017).

(Above Gerard King during his time at Nicholls State from (1990-1995)

(Above Ronnie Price during his time with the Lakers during the 2014-15 season.)

Nicholls State has made two NCAA Division I Tournament appearances, in 1995 and 1998. In 1995 they won their first Southland Conference title and earned an automatic bid to the Tournament where they would face #4 seed Virginia as a 13 seed. The Colonels would come up short 96-72. But it highlighted the Colonels on the national stage for the first time ever.

Nicholls State made its second appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 1998, following their Southland Conference championship win. The Colonels earned a No. 16 seed in the West Region, setting the stage for a challenging first-round matchup against the top-seeded Arizona Wildcats.

Lute Olsen’s Arizona squad, led by a roster of talented players such as Mike Bibby and Jason Terry, showcased their dominance and defeated the Colonels with a score of 99-60.

The program has been shaped by several influential coaches. Rickey Broussard, who led the team from 1990 to 2002, guided the Colonels to their NCAA Tournament appearances and earned two Southland Conference Tournament championships. More recently, Austin Claunch (2018-2023) and Tevon Saddler (2023-present) have continued to build on the program’s legacy