NEW ORLEANS – Southern Miss was the most improved team in NCAA Division I men’s basketball during the 2022-23 season. Additionally, Southern Miss also turned in the best single-season improvement in NCAA Division I history, according to the NCAA’s records, which date back to 1974. 

This year’s Golden Eagles showed an improvement of +18. To determine games improved, the NCAA adds the difference in victories between the two seasons to the difference in losses and then divides by two. Postseason contests are included. 

Southern Miss, which won the 2022-23 Sun Belt Regular-Season Championship, posted a 25-8 record this past season, improving from 7-26 the previous year. 

The previous most-improved team in NCAA Division I history was the 2013 Towson team, which improved by +17.5. 

The Sun Belt featured two of the nation’s most-improved teams this season. Marshall was tied for third-most-improved team at +12.5. 

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)