Ball State University's most successful and legendary men's basketball season occurred in 1990. During this historic run, the Cardinals captured the Mid-American Conference tournament championship and advanced all the way to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. They secured impressive victories over Oregon State and Louisville before narrowly falling 69–67 in a thrilling contest against the eventual national champion UNLV Runnin' Rebels, marking the furthest any team from their conference had advanced under that tournament format at the time.