SIOUX FALLS – For the fourth time in five polls in 2020-21, the National Association of Basketball Coaches (
NABC) has ranked the University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball Team and list the Cougars 25th in its NCAA DII poll released today (Jan. 12).
After receiving votes in the previous poll, USF moved back into the top 25 after two home wins over then (RV) Upper Iowa, 68-55, and 87-76. USF earned 38 points or 15 more than the week four poll of 23.
It is the fifth national ranking in 2020-21 for USF which was ranked 19th earlier this fall by
The Basketball Times, a monthly print publication which has covered college basketball for more than 40 years. In the
NABC Preseason Poll, the Cougars were ranked 23
rd with 78 points. In the first poll of the regular season, USF, which will play its first game against U-Mary at home on Jan. 2, earned 54 points and was 25
th. However, this week the Cougars moved to 24
th, although with a few less vote points (50). In the fourth poll on Jan. 5, USF fell out of the top 25 but was 26 in the previous poll, receiving 23 points.
Directed by
NSIC Coach of the Year
Chris Johnson (237-166 overall – USF career wins leader with 221-151 mark), the Cougars stand 4-0, including 2-0 in the NSIC South and tied for first.
Colorado School of Mines, which is 8-0, is ranked No. 1 for the second time in school history. For the fifth time in 30 seasons, the top three teams (previous ranking) lost in the same week. Northern State moved up to No. 2 and orthwest Missouri was third.
NABC Poll – Week 5 – Jan. 12, 2021
(School, 2020-21 record, poll points)
1. Colorado School of Mines, 8-0, 394, 4
2. Northern State (S.D.), 4-0, 365, 7
3. Northwest Missouri State, 6-1, 359, 1
4. West Liberty (W.Va.), 2-0, 326, 8
5. Valdosta State (Ga.), 5-0, 323, 9
6. Lincoln Memorial (Tenn.), 7-1, 320, 2
7. West Texas A&M, 3-1, 311, 3
8. Washburn (Kan.), 8-1, 297, 5
9. Colorado Mesa, 7-0, 291, 10
10. Augusta (Ga.), 3-0, 257, 11
11. Findlay (Ohio), 6-1, 223, 6
12. Truman State (Mo.), 8-1, 217, 13
13. St. Edward's (Texas), 5-1, 175, 17
14. Mercyhurst (Pa.), 3-0, 163, 16
15. Queens (N.C.), 6-2, 155, 19
16. Missouri Western, 8-1, 152, 22
17. St. Thomas Aquinas (N.Y.), 0-0, 137, 12
18. Alabama Huntsville 4-1, 127, 18
19. Azusa Pacific (Calif.), 0-0, 113, 15
20. DBU (Texas), 5-1, 108, 21
21. Fairmont State (W.Va.), 2-0, 76, 23
22. Lubbock Christian (Texas), 4-0, 72, 24
23. Hillsdale (Mich.), 6-1, 56, 25
24. Point Loma (Calif.), 0-0, 49, 20
25. Sioux Falls (S.D.), 4-0, 38, NR
Records through Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021.
Last ranking is from poll of Jan. 5, 2021.
Others receiving votes: Tusculum (Tenn.) 16, Southwest Baptist (Mo.) 14, Union (Tenn.) 12, Seattle Pacific (Wash.) 11, Daemen (N.Y.) 9, Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.) 8, Texas A&M-Kingsville 8, Augustana (S.D.) 6, Belmont Abbey (N.C.) 6, Walsh (Ohio) 1.
