ATLANTA, Ga (January 16, 2018) – As the basketball season continues, three SIAC men’s basketball teams were named to this week’s regional polls, sponsored by D2SIDA, while some of these same teams have been ranked in the Top 25 according to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC).
The Men’s Basketball Division II Media Poll, sponsored by D2SIDA, is in its third year of existence. The regional poll is released every Monday, followed by the national poll on Tuesday. These weekly rankings are independent of the official NCAA Regional Rankings that will be released closer to the end of the season. All records are as of Sunday evening.
This week, Morehouse is ranked No. 2, Claflin came in at No. 5, and Clark Atlanta finished at No. 8.
According to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Top 25 Poll, Morehouse, along with West Liberty, are now the only undefeated teams remaining in the NCAA Division II which allowed them to solidify their spot at No. 14.
The Claflin Panthers too are ranked by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) as they replace the Maroon Tigers at No. 20. Claflin is one of four teams that moved into this week’s top 25 along with No. 21 Valdosta State, No. 24 Southern Nazarene – in the top 25 for the first time as a member of Division II.
Morehouse Men’s Basketball – #2 in South Region (D2SIDA); #14 in NABC Top 25
The Maroon Tigers recently recorded their 15th consecutive win over Albany State’s Golden Rams. Tigers a 15th straight victory and broke the Morehouse record for consecutive wins.
The previous record of 14 straight wins was set by the 2002-03 Morehouse team – the last to win an SIAC championship – and matched in the 2012-13 season.
The win ties Claflin (17-1) at 10-0 in the conference and sets up the showdown between the top two teams in the SIAC East Division.
Morehouse, previously ranked No. 3 in last week’s poll, rose up to No. 2 with three first place votes and 53 points in the Men’s Basketball Division II Media Regional Poll.
Not only are the Maroon Tigers ranked according the D2SIDA, the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) has the Maroon Tigers ranked at No. 14 in the NABC Division II Rankings, released Jan. 16. Previously, Morehouse was ranked at No. 20.
Morehouse, along with West Liberty, are now the only undefeated teams remaining in the NCAA Division II.
The Maroon Tigers are scheduled to face off against No. 5 conference opponent, Claflin, on Jan. 20. Tip-off is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.
Claflin Men’s Basketball – #5 in South Region (D2SIDA); #20 in NABC Top 25
The Claflin University men’s basketball team is ranked No. 5 in the South Region of the Men’s Basketball Division II Media Regional Poll, sponsored by D2SIDA.
In addition, the Panthers are ranked third in NCAA Division II in field goal percentage defense holding their opponents to 37% shooting, fourth in scoring defense allowing to just 62.3 points per outing and 5th in win-loss percentage at 94.4%.
Claflin is currently tied with Morehouse and Clark Atlanta in the Southern Intercollegiate Collegiate Athletics (SIAC) East Division with a 10-0 conference bill. The Panthers and Morehouse each have a 3-0 record in the East Division, while Clark Atlanta has a 2-0 record in the Division.
The Claflin Panthers too are ranked by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) as they replace the Maroon Tigers at No. 20. Claflin is one of four teams that moved into this week’s top 25 along with No. 21 Valdosta State, No. 24 Southern Nazarene – in the top 25 for the first time as a member of Division II.
The Panthers are 17-1 overall and will face Morehouse on Saturday and Clark Atlanta on Monday.
Clark Atlanta Men’s Basketball – #8 in South Region (D2SIDA)
The Clark Atlanta Panthers advanced to their 11th straight win as they defeated Fort Valley State, 77-66, pushing them to solidify their spot at No. 8 in the South Region of the Men’s Basketball Division II Media Poll.
The Panthers are now 16-1 this season, 10-0 and in a second-place tie with Claflin in the SIAC East Division, just one game behind 11-0 Morehouse.
Clark Atlanta Panthers, previously ranked No. 9 in last week’s poll, are back in action at home Saturday, Jan. 20 when they host Benedict College (15-3, 8-2 SIAC) at 2 p.m. in L.S. Epps Gymnasium.
