Nova Southeastern is rolling, finishing up the 2024 portion of its schedule a perfect 11-0. That has them atop the latest DII men’s basketball Power 10 rankings. The Sharks are the only team to remain in the same spot as the previous rankings as five new teams enter the top 10.
DII MEN’S BASKETBALL CENTRAL
The Power 10 has been particularly tough this year, especially after the last week. Many top 25 teams picked up a loss, but that is expected with a long season with multiple games a week. The question is how much do you ding a team due to a loss, especially in the early part of the year as teams are still finding their way. This is a new era of DII basketball, and teams need time to gel. I try to keep that in mind and look at the overall big picture. Basically, get ready to disagree because these rankings look a little different from the national polls.
Remember, the Power 10 rankings are mine. There is no voting body or anything other than some notes from head and assistant coaches, spreadsheets full of stats and selection committee metrics, and what I am actually seeing in-game action. As I did last year, I will use Inkblot Sports RPI and rankings in my “grading” of teams. Additionally, since the selection committee is using the KPI from Faktor Sports for the DII Men’s and Women’s Elite Eight, I do consider it when teams are close.
The second Power 10 of the regular season
(games through Saturday, Dec. 21)
No. 1 Nova Southeastern | Previous: 1. What can we say that hasn’t been said about this Sharks team? They are 11-0 against the fifth toughest schedule in DII. They lead DII in scoring, dropping an unreal 111.5 points per game. All five starters are averaging more than 12 points per game, and they lead DII in assists and are second in steals. There isn’t a tremendous amount of depth on this team, but the role players are strong. If this team stays healthy, they will be tough to beat.
No. 2 Washburn | Previous: 9. The Ichabods head into the break a perfect 12-0 and per Inkblot Sports, the No. 1 team in the Central Region. If you follow DII men’s basketball, you know that says a lot. The ‘Bods already have convincing wins over Pittsburg State and Fort Hays State — the two teams projected to finish right behind them in the MIAA. All five starters can score, and they are winning games by more than 20 points, so this team is cooking.
No. 3 Ferris State | Previous: NR. How do you respond to an opening day loss to fellow Power-10-er West Texas A&M? You win your next 12 heading into the break — and all but two in blowout fashion. The Bulldogs are winning games by about 23 points per night and are the team to beat in the Midwest right now. Senior Ethan Erickson is in the starting rotation for the first time in his career and has responded with some big numbers, averaging 18.2 points per game and shooting an impressive 46.7 percent from 3-point land.
No. 4 Daemen | Previous: First five out. The beasts of the East Region continue their ascent, as the Wildcats are now a perfect 11-0 heading into the break. Let’s not forget, this squad took down Division I Buffalo in its exhibition game as well, so they are truly undefeated throughout. They have huge resume-building wins against Charleston (WV), Cal (PA) and St. Thomas Aquinas, showing that this team is very much for real. Benjamin Bill and Justin Hemphill are a dangerous duo, each averaging double digits in scoring and 6.9 rebounds per game.
No. 5 West Liberty | Previous: 3. Yes, I know West Liberty lost, but people are sleeping on the Missouri S&T team, which is now 8-1 with one of the best KPIs in DII. But even after the loss, the Hilltoppers are right behind the Miners at No. 5 in KPI and No. 1 in Inkblot Sports Atlantic Region RPI. They also beat a tough Colorado School of Mines team the day before in Las Vegas, so these Hilltoppers are plenty good.
No. 6 UAH | Previous: Just missed. Do you remember how the Chargers opened their season? They took Nova Southeastern to overtime, and yes, they lost, but they lost by one point. They haven’t lost since, winners of 11 in a row, and while it isn’t the toughest schedule, this team looks tough ranked No. 7 in KPI and No. 4 in the South Region RPI. They are winning games by nearly 20 points a night and Tommy Murr and Luke Burnett can score at will, chipping in 39.5 of the Chargers’ 90.1 points per game.
No. 7 Lake Superior State | Previous: First five out. The Lakers have a top 10 KPI and trail only Ferris State in the Midwest Region RPI. This team took Ferris State the distance, losing 83-81 in the waning seconds but also has signature wins against Carson-Newman and Gannon. The Lakers find themselves in a lot of close ballgames, winning by just about seven points per game, and that sometimes catches up with teams in the long grind of a season. But this team has grit and toughness to them, a bevy of scorers, and I think will battle the Bulldogs until the end.
No. 8 West Texas A&M | Previous: 2. I understand that some of the metrics don’t align with the lofty ranking. I understand the Buffs lost to Fort Lewis heading into the break and the Skyhawks’ faithful will get up in arms. The Buffs have made the DII Men’s Elite Eight four times since 2017 (seven tournaments) and look very much the same kind of team to do it again this year. Granted, the South Central right now looks very tough, but this team is fast, can score and I think will be even stronger in the second half.
No. 9 DBU | Previous: 8. Despite the lower rankings in the national polls, I am keeping the Patriots in the top 10. This past week saw a lot of the top teams in DII men’s basketball lose, and DBU simply keeps winning. The Patriots do have that loss to a tricky good Lubbock Christian team, but they also have some signature wins against nationally ranked opponents.
No. 10. Florida Southern | Previous: First five out. The Mocs have the second-best RPI in the South Region. The Mocs have the 10th-best KPI in DII. The Mocs are a top-10 team in DII men’s basketball. Now, like LSSU, the Mocs have played a lot of tight ball games, and again, that tends to catch up to teams, especially in a tough South Region. However, Alex Steen and Jadin Booth are a lethal duo and can help this team go very far this year.
First five out (in alphabetical order):
- Colorado School of Mines. The Orediggers just missed, mainly because they have lost to both ranked teams they have played. This team is very good, though, and should be in the top 10 with a few more wins.
- Gannon. Crazy, right? This is a new-look team, right down to the coaching staff. The Golden Knights came out of the SCB Hall of Fame Classic 0-2 and haven’t lost since. This team is truly getting better each week and has played a tougher schedule than some of the other undefeated teams not mentioned here.
- Lincoln Memorial. It seems the Railsplitters are a permanent fixture in the top 15 (at least the top 25), and nothing is different this season. They are 9-1 and have the second-best RPI in the Southeast with an arsenal of scorers that will make things tough in the SAC.
- Minot State. The Beavers haven’t played the toughest schedule, but a 15-0 record is still impressive. This spot came down to Minot State or MSU Moorhead, and the Beaver’s 24-point win over the Dragons made me a believer. Caleb Van De Griend is a beast averaging a double-double so far.
- Saint Martin’s. The Saints aren’t perfect but are the No. 1 RPI and KPI in the West. This spot was close between the Saints and Cal State San Bernardino, and the Saints hold the head-to-head which may loom large come selection time.
Two to watch:
- Coker. The Cobras dropped their first game of the year to a hot Lenoir-Rhyne team but are second in DII with 110.3 points per game. They don’t play much defense, allowing 98.0 points per game, so it makes for some exciting basketball.
- Missouri S&T. That win against West Liberty has me a believer. Per Inkblot Sports, this is the No. 2 team in the Midwest in RPI. The Miners are winning games by more than 21 points a night and have a bevy of scorers that make them interesting in a wide-open Midwest Region.
