Statesmen Begin Season at #7

William Penn University Athletics

Oskaloosa–The defending national runner-up William Penn men’s basketball team may not have much of last year’s lineup back on the hardwood, but it is still getting plenty of recognition to start this campaign as the NAIA Division II preseason rating was released today.

The Statesmen, who were 34-2 last year, is #7 in the nation with 296 points.

Defending national champion Cardinal Stritch (Wis.) leads the rating with 374 points and 13 first-place votes. Indiana Wesleyan and Embry-Riddle (Fla.) are second and third, while Southern Oregon is fourth with the final first-place nod. Northwood (Fla.) rounds out the top five.

Fellow Midwest Collegiate program Viterbo (Wis.) is unofficially 32nd with 16 points.

Morningside, WPU’s season-opening foe, is #30, while other future opponents Bellevue (Neb.) (#19), Friends (Kan.) (#26), and Ashford (#33) are also ranked.

William Penn hosts Morningside Friday at 5:30 p.m.