Few college basketball programs have become synonymous with a single player, but that is the case with Stephen Curry and the Davidson Wildcats. Ever since Curry’s emergence in college, it’s been difficult to get cheap Davidson basketball tickets. He put the program on the map and helped the Wildcats to move up the college basketball food chain. The impact has been long-lasting, as last-minute Davidson basketball tickets are still in high demand, with the Wildcats remaining one of the most recognizable mid-major programs in the country.

Pre-Amble

Believe it or not, Davidson had a history before the arrival of Stephen Curry. Under head coach Lefty Driessell, the Wildcats became a Southern Conference powerhouse in the 1960s, winning five conference titles in six years. Driessell also took the Wildcats to the Sweet 16 in 1966, which was followed by back-to-back Elite Eight appearances in 1968 and 1969.

All About Bob

Even more than Curry, the person responsible for Davidson’s success is longtime head coach Bob McKillop. Despite taking over a struggling program that was 4-24 in his first season, McKillop soon turned Davidson into a winning program. After NCAA Tournament appearances in 1998 and 2002, McKillop was one of the few coaches to offer Curry a scholarship, and the future Golden State star helped put Davidson on the map. Behind Curry, the Wildcats went to the Big Dance in three straight seasons, culminating in their 2008 run to the Elite Eight.

The Curry Effect

Even after Curry left for the NBA, Davidson remained a top-notch mid-major program. McKillop continued to coach the Wildcats to winning seasons and postseason appearances, ultimately earning Davidson an invitation to join the Atlantic 10 Conference in 2014. The move to the A-10 was a huge step up in competition for the Wildcats, but one McKillop and company handled well. After the change in scenery, Davidson remains a prominent mid-major that’s worth watching closely every March.