Feb. 19, 2008
 

FLORENCE -- The University of North Alabama men's basketball team jumped two spots to No. 1 in this week's NCAA Division II Men's Basketball South Region rankings.

UNA (21-7) moved past previous No. 1 Tampa and No. 2 Florida Southern. Four other GSC teams also made the Top 10, led by Harding which climbed one spot to No. 7. The GSC rounded out the final three spots with Alabama-Huntsville dropping to No. 8, while Ouachita Baptist jumped one spot to No. 9 and Christian Brothers made its first appearance of the season at No. 10.

"It's a good position for our players to be in, but we'll be a lot happier if the rankings are that way at the end of the regular-season," said UNA head coach Bobby Champagne. "The ranking is a tribute to the hard work of our players and to our senior leadership. We still have to go out and do our job these next two games and take care of ourselves."

North Alabama will play at Alabama-Huntsville Saturday at 7 p.m. The Lions have won their last six straight games since suffering an 86-82 loss to Alabama-Huntsville back on January 26.

The top eight teams in the final regional rankings will advance to the Division II South Regional.

UNA has made 11 previous NCAA regional appearances in 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1988, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 2006.


(DII Overall & DII In-Region)

1. North Alabama 17-7 16-4

2. Tampa 16-6 14-4

3. Florida Southern 19-6 16-5

4. Benedict 17-4 17-4

5. Rollins 16-5 11-5

6. Harding 10-7 10-7

7. Eckerd 15-7 15-4

8. Alabama-Huntsville 12-11 10-9

9. Ouachita Baptist 13-6 12-5

10. Christian Brothers 13-9 12-7