The 1985–86 season is arguably the most memorable in Vikings history, as they achieved the improbable in becoming the first ever 14th seeded team to make it to the Sweet Sixteen of the 1986 NCAA tournament.

Coach Kevin Mackey's squad, led by Ken 'Mouse' McFadden and Eric Mudd, upset Bobby Knight's 3rd seeded Indiana Hoosiers, by a final of 83-79.

On Monday, December 15, 2008, Cleveland State had their biggest regular season victory in school history, upsetting the #11 Syracuse Orange, 72-69, on a last-second, three-quarter court shot from senior guard Cedric Jackson.

Nine Cleveland State alumni have played in the NBA,[34] including: The flagship station for CSU men's basketball is WARF 1350 AM, with announcer Al Pawlowski.

Any CSU games WARF can't air due to conflicts slide over to sister station WTAM 1100 AM/106.9 FM.