OIT, EOU, Evergreen Ranked in Men's Hoop Top 25 Poll
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Evergreen State College, winner of seven consecutive games and owner of a 17-5 overall record, moved into the NAIA Division II men's basketball Top 25 poll, released today by the national office.
The Geoducks, the hottest team in the CCC, debuted at the No. 23 position. They joined fellow Cascade Collegiate Conference members Oregon Tech (No. 6) and Eastern Oregon (No. 11) in the poll. Warner Pacific College dropped from the Top 25 to the No. 29 spot.
Defending national champion, MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.), moves up two slots to No. 3 after an 93-85 overtime win against then-No. 2 Evangel (Mo.). Standing at 20-5, Evangel is at No. 4 followed by No. 5 William Penn (Iowa) - WPU notched the remaining first-place vote, its first this year.
Oregon Tech moves up one spot to No. 6, No. 7 Bellevue (Neb.) improves two places while Ozarks (Mo.) falls to No. 8. No. 9 Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) falls one spot and Bethel (Ind.) holds at No. 10.
One of the biggest jumps, up seven spots, is No. 16 Northwood (Fla.). Coached by former NCAA Division I coach Rollie Massimino, Northwood has won seven straight including an upset over then-No. 6 Embry-Riddle (Fla.) back on Jan. 30.
The ninth regular season Top 25 poll is scheduled to be released Wednesday, Feb. 20.
2007-08 NAIA Division II Men's Basketball Top 25 Coaches' Poll - Feb. 13 (Rating #8)