WPU Returns to Poll for First Time Since 2023

Oskaloosa–The William Penn men’s basketball team is back in the national ranking for the first time in nearly three years as the NAIA released its sixth top-25 poll Wednesday.

The Statesmen (19-6, 13-4 Heart) are unofficially 36th in the country with five points. It is the program’s first ratings appearance since October 25, 2023 (No. 19).

Graceland is the only other ranked representative from the Heart of America Athletic Conference, sitting at No. 25.

Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) is the NAIA’s unanimous No. 1 with 510 points and all 18 first-place votes. Grace (Ind.), Indiana Wesleyan, Ave Maria (Fla.), and Oklahoma Wesleyan round out the top five.

Additionally, in the most recent Heart Point Rating System, the Statesmen are second with 4.06 points. Graceland is first with 4.26 points. The PRS will be used to determine seeding for the upcoming Heart Championship.

William Penn next hosts MidAmerica Nazarene Saturday in Heart play at 4 p.m.