Navy and Gold Move to #2
by Wade Steinlage
Oskaloosa–The William Penn men’s basketball team is receiving a share of the top billing as the NAIA released its second Division I rating Wednesday.
The Statesmen (13-1, 5-1 Heart) advanced two rungs from last poll to #2 with 205 points and two first-place votes. The crew is just three points behind #1 LSU Alexandria.
It marks the 20th-consecutive time the Statesmen have been in the top four in the NAIA (dating back to October 2016) and the 23rd time in a row they have been in the top 10 (dating back to February 2016).
WPU is one of four Heart of America Athletic Conference programs in the entire rating. #12 Benedictine and #20 Peru State join the Statesmen in the top 25, while Central Methodist is in the receiving votes section at #28.
LSU Alexandria has four first-place votes, while Carroll (Mont.) is third with two nods. Langston (Okla.) is fourth and Missouri Baptist, with the final top vote, rounds out the top five.
William Penn is home Saturday, hosting Graceland in Heart action at 4 p.m.
NAIA Division I Men’s Basketball Rating #2 – January 2, 2019
(Number in parentheses is first-place votes)
1. LSU Alexandria (4)
2. William Penn (2)
3. Carroll (Mont.) (2)
4. Langston (Okla.)
5. Missouri Baptist
6. The Master’s (Calif.)
7. Campbellsville (Ky.)
8. Stillman (Ala.)
9. Georgetown (Ky.)
10. Lewis-Clark State (Idaho)
11. Arizona Christian
12. Benedictine (Kan.)
12. Oklahoma City
12. Wiley (Texas)
15. Vanguard (Calif.)
16. Pikeville (Ky.)
17. Tougaloo (Miss.)
18. Central Baptist (Ark.)
19. Cumberlands (Ky.)
20. Peru State (Neb.)
21. John Brown (Ark.)
22. William Carey (Miss.)
23. Providence (Mont.)
24. Wayland Baptist (Texas)
25. William Jessup (Calif.)
Others Receiving Votes: LSU Shreveport (La.) 40, Faulkner (Ala.) 37, Central Methodist (Mo.) 27, Hope International (Calif.) 22, Xavier (La.) 12, Rocky Mountain (Mont.) 6, Talladega (Ala.) 5, Science & Arts (Okla.) 3.
