In 2005–06, the Lawrence men's basketball team was ranked number one in NCAA Division III for much of the season, after starting the season unranked. The team was the only undefeated team in all divisions of college basketball for the last six weeks of the season, ending with a record of 25–1. Star forward Chris Braier won the Josten's Award as the top player in the country for both playing ability and community service. Coach John Tharp was named Division III Midwest Coach of the Year. Beginning in 2004, the men's basketball team qualified for the NCAA Division III National Tournament in five of the next six years (2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009). Their best finish was in 2004 when they lost in the Elite 8 to eventual national champion University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point 82–81 in overtime at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington.