MCC News
Mon, Jan 25, 2010 - [Men's Basketball]
The MCC continues to boast four teams in the NAIA Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll, which ties the Cascade Collegiate Conference for the most of any league in the country, and includes three teams in the top 10.
It marks the second consecutive week Saint Francis, Indiana Wesleyan and Bethel have each appeared in the top 10, but the order shifted in this sixth edition of the poll.
After handing Bethel its second conference loss of the season, Saint Francis (19-4, 7-2) tops the league at No. 6. Improving two spots to their highest ranking this season, the Cougars have appeared in all seven polls including the preseason chart.
Despite holding the best league mark at 8-1 (the only loss coming at Goshen on Nov. 24) and a school-record 14-game winning streak, Indiana Wesleyan (19-3, 8-1) remains one spot behind USF at No. 7. It's also the Wildcats' highest slot of the year.
On the flip side, Bethel (18-4, 6-3) slides to the third spot in the league and their lowest ranking of the year at No. 9. The Pilots have been in the top four of each poll this season, but two losses in their last three outings, including one to Saint Francis, dropped them five notches.
Spring Arbor (17-6, 6-3) remains in familiar territory at No. 23. The Cougars have appeared in one of the last four spots in each of the polls this year.
Goshen (13-10, 4-5) received one vote.
Undefeated Oklahoma Wesleyan continues its dominance of the top 25 with its 11th-straight No. 1 ranking and a NAIA-record 38-game winning streak. The Eagles will face the last team to defeat them, the College of the Ozarks, this week.
The highlight game of the MCC this week will be on Tuesday when Indiana Wesleyan travels to Bethel. The Wildcats won the first meeting 73-67 on Dec. 1.
