The Cardinals were led by fifth-year head coach Pat Foster and played their home games at the Montagne Center in Beaumont, Texas as members of the Southland Conference.

[2][3] They received an invitation to the 1985 National Invitation Tournament where they defeated Houston in the first round and lost to Chattanooga by one point in overtime in the second round.

[4] The Montagne Center, Lamar's current home venue, opened in 1984.

Three home games had attendance over the nominal capacity during the 1984–85 season.

[6] James Gulley was not drafted by an NBA team at the end of his college career, but played professionally in Israel.