Augustana College Athletics

The 1980-81 men's basketball team was led by head coach Jim Borcherding and finished the season with a 25-6 overall record. The Vikings earned a runner-up finish that season, falling in the NCAA DIII title game to Potsdam State by a score of 67-65 in overtime. Augustana won the CCIW with a 15-1 conference record. Four members of the team earned All-Conference, highlighted by First Team honors from Bill Rapier and Craig Brittnum. Shane Price earned Second Team, while Max Artis was named Third Team. Artis went on to earn the NCAA DIII Final Four MVP. Rapier was named an NCAA DIII All-American. Brittnum, Price, and Artis all accumulated over 1,000 points in their careers, while point guard Billy Schneider was second on the all-time list in assists.

During their tournament run, the Vikings defeated three-time defending champion North Park in the opening round by a score of 81-68, following it up with a win over No. 1 ranked Beloit in the regional final on the Buccaneers' home court. Augustana defeated Whittier and Otterbein before falling to Potsdam State in the championship.