2016 – 17 Central Arkansas Bears basketball team represented the University of Central Arkansas during the 2016 – 17 NCAA Division I men 's basketball season . The Bears were led by third-year head coach Russ Pennell and played their home games at the Farris Center in Conway , Arkansas as members of the Southland Conference . They finished the season 8 – 24 , 7 – 11 in Southland play to finish in a five-way tie for eighth place . They lost in the first round of the Southland Tournament to Sam Houston State
Southland Tournament
2017 Southland Conference Men's Basketball Tournament
2016–17 Central Arkansas Bears basketball team