WPU Grabs National Votes in Final NAIA Rating

William Penn University Athletics

Oskaloosa–The Statesmen men’s basketball team’s strong finish this season garnered it national attention as the final NAIA Division II top-25 rating was released today.

William Penn (20-12, 7-5 MCC) received three votes to be unofficially tied for 35th. It is the first time the program has been in the rating since being 29th on January 6. In regards to a possible bid to nationals, WPU was six spots out of the final at-large slot, which went to #25 Briar Cliff.

A demanding schedule took its toll on the navy and gold as eight of the squad’s losses came against teams in the current top 25 (all have qualified for nationals). That list includes #6 Morningside, #7 Bellevue (Neb.), #11 Mount Mercy, #13 Ozarks (Mo.), #23 Ashford, and #25 Briar Cliff. WPU split with Ashford, defeating the Saints back in November.

Indiana Wesleyan will enter nationals as the #1 team in the land with 374 points and 13 first-place votes, while Embry-Riddle (Fla.) is second with the final first-place nod. Cornerstone (Mich.), College of Idaho, and Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) round out the top five.