Point Loma enters DII men’s basketball Power 10 rankings for first time since 2019
Another week means more wins for Nova Southeastern and Indiana (PA). The last two undefeated teams in DII men’s basketball — both boast impressive 20-0 records — firmly hold the top two spots in the latest Power 10 rankings.
The rest of the peloton? Well, let’s just say there’s work to be done in February.
LOOK BACK: Previous Power 10 rankings
A slew of teams suffered at least one big loss, while a few teams suffered multiple losses that shook up this week’s standings. The good news is that it’s the home stretch. February means it’s all conference play, and teams have one last chance to improve on that summary before conference tournaments begin.
The fifth regular season DII men’s basketball Power 10 rankings
(All matches until Sunday 29 January)
No. 1 Nova Southeast | Previous: 1: If you recall, the Sharks entered the DII Elite Eight undefeated last season and were stunned by Black Hill State. They took that to heart, because this team is on a mission. The Sharks still score around 107 points per game and win games by more than 30 points per night. They are in the top five in assist-to-turnover ratio, field goal percentage, and offensive rebounds per game, while leading the DII men’s hoops in turnovers per game. It’s total domination so far.
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No. 2 Indiana (PA) | Previous: 2: The Crimson Hawks are another team not only winning but dominating the competition. Their 19.2 scoring margin is a top-five in the division, as is their 59.2 points allowed per game. Perhaps the scariest part of this team is if you ask, “who is their best player?” there is no right answer. The Hawks have four guys who can take over any night. Good luck defending that.
No. 3 Black Hills State | Previous: 7: Rise and fall of the Yellow Jackets, slipping a bit in the last standings after a loss against Colorado Mesa. They quickly got back on track and you can argue they are playing better than last year’s semi-final side. A big test awaits against the Colorado School of Mines on February 3. Joel Scott and company need that win with a tough back-to-back against nationally ranked Fort Lewis just 10 days later.
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#4 Northwestern Missouri State | Previous: 8: Yes, the Bearcats have two losses against two very good teams, but let’s face it. They lead DII men’s basketball in field goal percentage, have the third-best scoring defense in the nation, and are in the top 5 teams by scoring margin. Diego Bernard is the last of the original Bearcats since the start of the three-championship run and he has stepped up and answered the call. He seems to be setting new career scoring records every night while recently becoming the fourth Bearcat to join the 2,000 point club.
No. 5 Central Oklahoma | Previous 3: You’re probably wondering how a team that only loses stumbles a bit. The simple fact is, the Bronchos are still 19-2 with signature wins against top-to-bottom ranked teams, which is arguably the toughest region in DII men’s basketball. On top of that, they are still likely the No. 1 seed in said region. Jaden Wells is such a good player, but he has plenty of assists in the starting five with a slew of goalscorers behind him.
#6 UIndy | Previous: Uncategorized: Played a tough schedule? Check. Is it on an absolute tear? Check. Is the first place in their conference? Check. Yes indeed, the Greyhounds are starting to tick all the boxes on this March resume, seeing them jump from unranked to make their Power 10 debut. This team is rolling, currently on a 12-game winning streak, which includes a win on Power 10 UMSL. The Greyhounds are a team effort, with no players in the lead, which makes them difficult to defend against.
No. 7 UNC Pembroke | Previous: First five eliminated: The Braves have been difficult to place. On the one hand, they are 21-1, which is a record that puts them easily in the top 10. On the other hand, they have not played the strength of the calendar which the committee drooled over in March. Right now, no matter how you cut it, 21 wins is impressive. The starting five is very deep and can all make plays. The Emmanuel (GA) showdown in a few weeks will be a big test, but the Braves could very well lead the table with the momentum (a 14-game winning streak) behind them.
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No. 8 (tie) Hillsdale and Lincoln Memorial | Previous: 9 and 4, respectively: These two have only lost one game since the previous Power 10 and are still very strong teams. Hillsdale is 19-2 and the Railsplitters are 20-2. Their schedule strength (despite being in different conferences) is nearly identical, and while Lincoln Memorial has a top-10 offense in DII men’s basketball, Hillsdale has a top-10 defense. As you can see, the two teams are very similar, and instead of trying to separate themselves from each other this week, they find themselves deadlocked at No. 8.
No. 10 Point Loma | Previous: Top five eliminated: The Sea Lions roll, winners of 17 straight games and undefeated in the PacWest. They have played a relatively tough schedule and seem to be the best team in the Wild West at the moment. Point Loma is starting to look like that 2019 runner-up national team. That team had Daulton Men take over the DII scene, and that version has Kaden Anderson, who is actually posting better numbers (22.3 points, 8.9 rebounds per match) as their 2019 National Player of the Year.
Top five eliminated (in alphabetical order): Augusta: The Jags lost two straight games last week, but still played in the top 20 of the DII schedule. With Tyshaun Crawford a game-changer in tournament-style play, there’s no reason to penalize them so much. Angelo State: The hoops team must have been jealous of the football and baseball teams, two perennial Power 10 powerhouses. These Rams have won nine straight in a very tough schedule, with key wins over West Texas A&M and Lubbock Christian along the way. Bentley: A loss to New Haven prevented the Falcons from finally breaking into the Power 10, but they’ve bounced back with three straight games and are still one of the toughest teams in the division. The entire top five still average double digits in scoring. Colorado School of Mines: The loss to Fort Lewis knocks the Orediggers off their Power 10 perch, but a win this Friday against Black Hills State would bring them right back. Mines fans shouldn’t take this too much to heart: The Orediggers starting five is very well balanced, and the top 15 in DII men’s basketball isn’t much separated right now. Fort Lewis: The Skyhawks picked up a big win over Colorado School of Mines and are one step closer to the top 10. Akuel Kot has been one of the leading scorers in DII men’s basketball since the first tip and this offense can without any doubt score points.
Just missed: Cal State San Bernardino, West Liberty
Team to watch: Colorado Mesa. This team confuses me a bit, but I’m sure they’re damn good. The Mavs were riding, riding a 10-game winning streak with highly impressive wins over nationally ranked Black Hills State and Fort Lewis, but dropped a stunning 8-13 Westminster. Blaise Threatt and Trevor Baskin are two absolutely fantastic players, but the Mavericks are playing close games. Minus a tough rematch against Colorado School of Mines, Colorado Mesa could very well win, making them a threat to both the RMAC and the National Tournament.