Cal Baptist Lancers Emerge as Basketball Power in the West

California Baptist University's basketball program has quickly made a name for itself in Division I after a successful transition from Division II.

Mar. 20, 2026 at 8:10am

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The Cal Baptist Lancers have become a mainstay in the NCAA Tournament conversation, making appearances in 2024 and 2026. Located in Riverside, California, the university has successfully put its campus on the national map through the success of its basketball program under head coach Rick Croy. Cal Baptist is currently a member of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) but will officially join the Big West Conference on July 1, 2026.

Why it matters

Cal Baptist's rise to prominence in Division I basketball has helped raise the profile of the university and the Inland Empire region. The program's consistent success has also highlighted the growth and evolution of the WAC, which has undergone significant changes in recent years.

The details

Cal Baptist joined the WAC in 2018 after completing a mandatory four-year transition period following their move from Division II. The Lancers made their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2024 and returned to the Big Dance in 2026 after finishing second in the WAC regular-season standings and winning the conference tournament. Before their Division I era, Cal Baptist was a powerhouse at the Division II level, making five consecutive NCAA Division II Tournament appearances from 2014 to 2018, including a trip to the Elite Eight in 2018.

  • Cal Baptist joined the WAC in 2018.
  • The Lancers made their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2024.
  • Cal Baptist will officially join the Big West Conference on July 1, 2026.

The players

Rick Croy

The head coach of the Cal Baptist Lancers basketball team, who has led the program's successful transition to Division I.

California Baptist University

A private university located in Riverside, California, that has seen its basketball program become a consistent threat in the Western United States.

Western Athletic Conference (WAC)

The NCAA Division I conference that Cal Baptist currently competes in, but the Lancers will officially join the Big West Conference on July 1, 2026.

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What’s next

Cal Baptist will officially join the Big West Conference on July 1, 2026, marking the next chapter in the program's Division I journey.

The takeaway

Cal Baptist's basketball program has quickly become a force to be reckoned with in Division I, showcasing the university's ability to successfully transition from the Division II ranks and establish itself as a consistent threat in the Western United States.