The 2002-03 men's basketball team was one of the most successful teams in Eckerd Athletics history. 

Eckerd won the NCAA South Regional Championship with an 85-75 victory over Henderson State and advanced to the Elite Eight. The Elite Eight appearance is the furthest NCAA appearance by men's basketball in program history and the second furthest NCAA appearance in all of Eckerd Athletics.  

The team finished the season 25-7, setting a then-record for wins in a season and making the program's fifth appearance on the national stage. 

Eckerd opened the season with an eight-game win streak, and the team finished the season ranking 21st in the nation in scoring margin, 26th in rebound margin, 37th in scoring defense, and 38th in field goal percentage.

2002-03 Roster
James Henderson, Per Hultman-boye, Kendrick Wilson, Anthony Washington, Sharrod McCree, Steve Berg, Eric Armenteros, Marcus Bryant, Lester Chang Fong, Charles Bryant, Chris Maddux, Jonas Wernqvist, Peter Akintola, Cerwin Thompson, Marcus Washington, and Daniel Dreaden. Head Coach Tom Ryan, Assistant Coach Bryan Galuski, Assistant Coach Floyd Watkins, Roven Yau, Raquel Majeski, Michael Rodriguez