As we head into our 3rd NAIA Men’s Basketball Poll of the season, a lot has happened since the last poll. While many of the top teams kept winning, several Top 25 teams lost a game or two so there is a lot of movement from 10-25! There is also a lot of big games this week and next that will have big affects on the December 15th coaches poll. Conference season is here for most, which means that the games get tougher, especially road conference games. It is easy to get tripped up this time of year. Being ranked means having a target on your back. You will get everyone’s best shot. Those teams who can handle that are the ones that tend to flourish this time of year!
1
Saint Francis (IN) (10-0)
Record vs Top 25: 1-0
Record vs RPI Top 40: N/A
The Cougars enter their biggest week of the year as they pay a visit to Grace and then host Indiana Wesleyan this week. Saint Francis is one of the best shooting teams in the country though, currently sitting as the 3rd best 3FG% team in the NAIA. As a matter of fact, the Cougars have been getting great shots all year long as they sit 11th Nationally in FG%. If they can continue to shoot it well, they will be tough to beat.
2
Loyola (LA) (10-0)
Record vs Top 25: 2-0
Record vs RPI Top 40: N/A
The Wolf Pack are coming off of a 3-0 showing at The Battle at the Beach, in which they took home the Gulf Bracket Championship with a 17pt win over #12 USAO. Since their 8pt win over D1 New Orleans, they have won 6 games with that USAO 17pt win being the closest anyone has gotten to them. This is a dangerous group who is playing some great basketball!
3
Carroll (MT) (10-0)
Record vs Top 25: 1-0
Record vs RPI Top 40: N/A
3-0 Since the last coaches poll came out. While they did have a couple close calls in the Bushnell classic this past weekend, this Carroll group is finding ways to win still. All-American Jovan Sljivancanin with another big weekend with two double-doubles of 25/16 and 15/11. He is now 2nd in the NAIA in RPG with 12.9rpg. Brendon Temple has really stepped into that 3rd piece alongside of Jovan and Shamrock Campbell. The Fighting Saints are currently 7th in the country in Defensive Points Allowed!
4
William Penn (IA) (9-0)
Record vs Top 25: 1-0
Record vs RPI Top 40: N/A
The Statesmen have played a lot of close games this year already, but they have also had three All-Heart guards out for a majority of the season and have had two Freshman playing good minutes early for them. Defending Heart Player of the Year, Kevion Blaylock has been great, but fellow All-American, Karmari Newman, has been playing like he wants something to say in the Heart POY this year. The Freshman have gotten good playing experience and should add to the depth of this team as the season goes along and the Statesmen get healthy again!
5
Talladega (AL) (10-0)
Record vs Top 25: 1-0
Record vs RPI Top 40: N/A
Dega may be the best defensive team in the country. The Tornadoes lead the NAIA in Defensive Points Allowed, holding teams to just 51.1ppg. While sometimes that can be a misleading stat, because of the tempo and pace that a team plays at, that is not the case with Dega as they also are a Top 25 scoring offense in the NAIA. All-American Darryl Baker is playing like a real National Player of the Year candidate in the early part of the season.
6
Arizona Christian (9-1)
Record vs Top 25: 0-0
Record vs RPI Top 40: N/A
ACU is coming off of a 3-0 Florida trip to make it four straight wins after taking a 16pt drubbing on the road to Hope International in their first GSAC game. Those conference road losses can happen though, so no need to drop ACU a ton. This is a talented group, led by All-American PG, Angelo Johnson, and despite that set back to Hope International, the Fire Storm have looked the part of a Top 10 team, so no need to let the loss let them slide too far!
7
Indiana Wesleyan (8-1)
Record vs Top 25: 2-1
Record vs RPI Top 40: N/A
Newcomer, Dan Largey, has been on a terror this season. The lefty shooter is shooting an outstanding 51.8% from the 3pt line on 56 3pt attempts this season. All-American Big Man, Seth Maxwell, has also been really good, despite fighting foul trouble for most of the season. The Wildcats got a big statement win last week, going to #11 Marian and walking away with a 19pt win. Big week ahead though as they travel to #1 Saint Francis on Saturday.
8
Southwestern Assemblies of God (6-1)
Record vs Top 25: 1-0
Record vs RPI Top 40: N/A
SAGU had a misstep in their loss to Paul Quinn, but have riffled off five wins in a row since then, including a road win over #12 USAO. This team still has one of the best trio’s in the NAIA. Nykolas Mason, after sitting out last season, is averaging 22.9ppg and if he didn’t have an 8pt game in there, he wouldn’t have a single game where he was held below 20pts this season. The reigning SAC Player of the Year, Joshua Kashila, has helped carry the scoring load for the Lions as well. The two former NAIA 1st Team All-Americans are the only pair of teammates in the NAIA who have made 1st Team All-American list.
9
Science & Arts (OK) (6-2)
Record vs Top 25: 1-2
Record vs RPI Top 40: N/A
Could see this USAO team dropping a bit in the Coaches poll later this week with 2 losses, but they shouldn’t drop a ton. Those two losses are to two Top 10 teams and the Loyola loss came in the Battle at the Beach Gulf Bracket Title game after playing their fifth game in seven days and in their 3rd different state. Not trying to make excuses for them, but it’s the facts. Stephon Hall and Cameron Hines have been terrific for the Drovers. Trenton Sandifer had a big Battle at the Beach and the Drover big men really crash the glass hard.
10
Oklahoma Wesleyan (10-0)
Record vs Top 25: 0-0
Record vs RPI Top 40: N/A
OKWU is getting it done this season on the defensive end as they are holding teams to just 55.1ppg this season. Good enough for 3rd in the NAIA. The defense has what helped them move t0 10-0 on the season. Freshman Jaden Lietzke leads them in scoring, but this is a very balanced attack that they use to grind out wins!
11
Morningside (IA) (5-1)
Record vs Top 25: 0-1
Record vs RPI Top 40:
Was a bit surprised that Morningside dropped so far in the last poll after losing to a ranked Olivet Nazarene team by four points. This is a team that still has two All-Americans on it in Trey Brown and Zach Imig. However, it’s been Sophomore, Aiden Vanderloo, who has been the scoring leader for the Mustangs. The former University of Iowa transfer, had a good end of the year last season and has used that momentum to have a really good start to this season. It is still early, but the Mustangs find themselves in a familiar position, atop the GPAC standings!
12
Jamestown (ND) (9-1)
Record vs Top 25: 0-0
Record vs RPI Top 40: N/A
Jamestown did come off of their first loss of the season this past week, but it’s a road GPAC loss to a CUNE team that should crack the Top 25 this week. Sophomore, Mason Walters, has been as dominant as any player in the country to this point. The All-American is averaging 23.4ppg and 11.9rpg this year and has seven double-doubles in 10 games with those other 3 games he had 9rebs in each game. The Jimmies were able to bounce back from the CUNE loss with a win over rival Valley City State and they don’t have a super tough rest of the semester, so you could see the Jimmies entering the next break with only a loss or two and back inside the Top 10.
13
Shawnee State (OH) (5-2)
Record vs Top 25: 0-1
Record vs RPI Top 40: N/A
The defending National Champs, lost back to back games snapping the nations longest win streak at 34 games, but it’s hard to drop them too far down. The Bears are still finding their way a bit, but we trust that Coach Delano Thomas can get his boys back on track. There is a lot of talent on the Bears still and Miles Thomas has been a real force offensively for them. Once they get their defense settled in, look out!
14
Bethel (KS) (6-2)
Record vs Top 25: 0-1
Record vs RPI Top 40: N/A
The Threshers lost a road KCAC game at Friends this past week that may drop them a bit in the coaches poll. However, with plenty other Top 25 teams losing and Bethel having one of the top players in the NAIA in Jaylon Scott, it’s hard for us to drop them too far. They have another tough road KCAC game tonight before hosting a OKWU team on Thursday that may be a Top 10 team.
15
Grace (IN) (9-0)
Record vs Top 25: 1-0
Record vs RPI Top 40: N/A
9-0 with a Top 15 blowout win will launch you high into the rankings. For us, the young Lancers go from unranked to 15th. As good as the Lancers have looked though, they enter the biggest week of the season as they host #1 Saint Francis on Wednesday and then travel to rival Bethel (IN) on Saturday. The Lancers are getting big time production from Frankie Davidson, who is 2nd in the NAIA in scoring right now at 24.6ppg and has put himself in the conversation for Crossroads League POY. While the young Lancers will only get better when the Gibbs twins return, Freshmen Elijah Malone and Jake Wadding have stepped up big so far this season. We will see how the Lancers do this week, but for now they have earned a spot inside the Top 15.
16
Xavier (LA) (6-1))
Record vs Top 25: 0-1
Record vs RPI Top 40: N/A
We are fully aware that we have been higher than most with Xavier. However, there only loss of the season was to #2 Loyola. They have probably played Loyola as tough as anyone thus far and are 2nd in the NAIA in Defensive Points Allowed. Rayshawn Mart is one of the best players in the country and arguably the best two-way player in the NAIA. Then you add in a guy like Makye Richard to help offset the scoring and you have a really good back court that can go win a lot of games. XULA has looked like the best team in the RRAC early on and we don’t mind staying high on them!
17
Stillman (AL) (5-1)
Record vs Top 25: 0-1
Record vs RPI Top 40: N/A
All-Americans Trey Petty and Devin Merriweather have been great players for Stillman and were big in leading them to Kansas City last season. However, Talladega’s defense got to them last game, forcing the duo into a combined 4-21 day from the field and 0-5 from 3. That is how good the Talladega defense is, because Petty and Merriweather are one of the best back courts in the NAIA. Add in Ladarius Carter and you have a really tough guard trio that can go get some buckets. They have only played 1 home game this season thru the first six games, but finish the semester with four straight at home. A good chance to enter break with some good momentum!
18
Georgetown (KY) (7-1)
Record vs Top 25: 0-0
Record vs RPI Top 40: N/A
Georgetown is coming off a “get right” game against D3 Greenville in which they put up 155pts. A game to help get everyone’s stats boosted as they put up some ridiculous numbers! That is the Greenville style of play though. Prior to this weekend, Georgetown lost to rival Pikeville on the road, in a Mid-South Conf. game. The Tigers, led by one of the best coaches in the NAIA in Chris Briggs, also have a stud young duo in Freshman, Derrin Boyd and Sophomore All-American, Kyran Jones. While they now have seven guys averaging double figures, it’s been Kyran Jones who have once again been putting up some massive double-doubles. He didn’t play in that Grenville game or he may have put up one of the biggest double-doubles we have seen this year (and we have seen some big ones).
19
Concordia (NE) (9-1)
Record vs Top 25: 2-0
Record vs RPI Top 40: N/A
A road GPAC loss, to Briar Cliff, right before the last rankings most likely cost them a spot inside the Top 25. However, they picked up their 2nd Top 25 win of the season last week against Jamestown and with a 9-1 record, it is hard to keep the Bulldogs out this week! Justin Wierema, Carter Kent and Gage Smith lead a balanced attack of five players in double figure scoring. Big week ahead though as they go to Morningside and then return home to face Northwestern (IA).
20
Lewis-Clark St. (ID) (7-1)
Record vs Top 25: 0-0
Record vs RPI Top 40: N/A
LCSC is coming off of their first loss of the year against a tough Ottawa (AZ) team that has a D1 win under their belt. The Warriors lost more production than maybe any other team in the country last year, but Head Coach, Austin Johnson, continues to prove why he is one of the best coaches in the country as he has the Warriors sitting at 7-1. Nathan Fromm has really stepped up his game from last season and him and Grad Transfer, Kevin Baker, continue to lead the charge.
21
The Master’s (CA) (5-1)
Record vs Top 25: 0-0
Record vs RPI Top 40: N/A
This is a young Mustang team, but the good news is that most of the Freshman that are leading them at the moment, all played last season as well. That experience has helped propel The Master’s to some nice NCAA D2 wins this year. They do have a road GSAC loss though. As this season has shown, going on the road, in the GSAC, is NOT an easy thing for anyone. Freshmen, Davian Brown, Kaleb Lowery and Caden Starr are all names to get to know though as you will hear a lot about them over the next few years!
22
Westmont (CA) (8-0)
Record vs Top 25: 1-0
Record vs RPI Top 40: N/A
It will be interesting to see what GSAC team gets the 3 spot in the GSAC rankings. OUAZ, Jessup, Menlo and HIU all could get it. We give the nod here to Westmont, who hasn’t lost a game and has a Top 25 win. Freshman Nate Meitof has been sensational for the Warriors, averaging 19.1ppg. No easy scheduling for Westmont coming up though as they hit the road this week to face OUAZ and Arizona Christian. Two teams that may very well be ranked inside the Top 25 in the Coaches Poll on Wednesday.
23
Mid-America Christian (7-3)
Record vs Top 25: 2-0
Record vs RPI Top 40: N/A
One of the worst parts about the official NAIA rankings, is that there is no national media coverage that will tell you when a team has injuries. You have to look it up in box scores of games to know who played and who didn’t. MACU has been playing without a few starters. Including 2x SAC Player of the Week, Terrance Jones missing a game. So while the Coaches Poll may completely drop them from the rankings, we will give them the benefit of doubt though and leave them inside the Top 25. This is also a team that will be adding a good big man soon as well. No matter if they are in or out of the Coaches Poll, they will have plenty of opportunities to get some quality wins and be a Top 25 team.
24
College of Idaho (7-2)
Record vs Top 25: 0-1
Record vs RPI Top 40: N/A
The Yotes two losses are to a Top 5 Carroll team and D2 rival Northwest Nazarene. They may not have Top 25 wins, but they still have a lot of quality wins and when the RPI ratings are out, The Yotes will have a lot of Top 40 type wins. Vet, Ricardo Time and Freshman, Drew Wyman have led the Yotes attack. However this is a team that is always built on defense and toughness and that is how they have won games this season as well!
25
Pikeville (KY) (7-0)
Record vs Top 25: 1-0
Record vs RPI Top 40: N/A
Two MSC wins, including a Top 25 win over Georgetown and a road NCAA D2 win helps get the Bears in this week. Coach Tigh Compton has UPike playing well and while there are lots of teams that could crack into the Top 25 this week, we felt it was hard to leave UPike out. The Bears don’t have a single Senior on the team and while they have a balanced attack, it’s Korbin Spencer and Darius Love who are leading the way at the moment. They hit the road this week in what will be their first NAIA road games. Two Mid-South road games nonetheless. While a tougher schedule lies ahead, the Bears have taken care of business early.
