Feb. 18, 2008
 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - For the first time since December of 1994, the University of North Alabama men's basketball team has cracked the NCAA Division II Top 25 with a No. 23 ranking in the latest NABC/Division II coaches poll.

UNA, 21-7 overall and leading the Gulf South Conference East Division, has received votes for several weeks in the poll before finally moving into the Top 25 on Tuesday. It marks the Lions first national ranking since they were rated 15th on Dec. 19, 1994.

The 2007-08 season marks the 11th time in school history that UNA has won 20 or more games, and is the first time under current head coach Bobby Champagne.

UNA plays at Alabama-Huntsville Saturday and closes its regular-season at home next Tuesday against West Georgia.

NABC/Division II Coaches Poll (Feb. 19, 2008)

1. Bentley, Mass. (6 first place votes) 24-0
2. Grand Valley State, Mich. (2) 28-0
3. Winona State, Minn. 27-1
4. Northern State, S.D. 24-2
5. South Carolina Aiken 20-2
6. Findlay, Ohio 22-3
7. Drury, Mo. 20-3
8. Augusta State, Ga. 19-4
9. Alaska-Anchorage 20-4
10. LIU-C.W. Post 21-2
11. Mount Olive, N.C. 20-4
12. Tarleton State, Texas 20-3
13. Gannon, Pa. 22-3
14. Southwestern Oklahoma State 20-4
15. Lenoir-Rhyne, N.C. 19-3
16. South Dakota 19-4
17. Fort Lewis, Colo. 20-4
18. Southwest Baptist, Mo. 18-5
19. Minnesota State 20-5
20. Cal State-San Bernardino 19-5
21. California, Pa. 18-4
22. Kentucky Wesleyan 22-4
23. North Alabama 20-7
24. Benedict, S.C. 19-4
25. Florida Southern 19-7

Others receiving votes: West Liberty State (W.Va.) 11, Chaminade (Hawaii) 8, Pittsburgh-Johnstown (Pa.) 8, Saint Rose (N.Y.) 7, Central Oklahoma 6, Rollins (Fla.) 6, Wingate (N.C.) 6, Seattle Pacific (Wash.) 6, Northwest Missouri State 4, Tampa (Fla.) 4, Edinboro (Pa.) 3, Elizabeth City State (N.C.) 2, Nebraska-Omaha 1.


UNA'S MOST RECENT NCAA DIVISION II NATIONAL RANKINGS

1983-84
Jan. 2 No. 18
Jan. 9 No. 20
Jan. 16 No. 15
Jan. 23 No. 12
Jan. 30 No. 14
Feb. 6 No. 14
Feb. 13 No. 11
Feb. 20 No. 12
Feb. 27 No. 17
March 5 No. 13

1986-87
Jan. 5 No. 20
Jan. 12 No. 8
Jan. 19 No. 16

1990-91
Dec. 18 No. 1
Jan. 8 No. 4
Jan. 15 No. 8
Jan. 22 No. 5
Jan. 29 No. 4
Feb. 5 No. 3
Feb. 12 No. 6
Feb. 19 No. 8
Feb. 26 No. 5
Mar. 5 No. 2

1991-92
Pre-Season No. 9
Jan. 14 No. 18
Jan. 21 No. 12
Jan. 28 No. 10

1993-94
Feb. 14 No. 15
Feb. 21 No. 16

1994-95
Dec. 19 No. 15

2007-08
Feb. 19 No. 23