Crossroads League in the NAIA National Polls | November 27-December 3
KANSAS CITY – The NAIA released a new Top-25 Poll this week for the sports of women’s and men’s basketball. The Crossroads League placed nine teams in those polls and currently boasts a total of 26 teams ranked or receiving votes.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL (Next Poll on December 12)
No. 4 Marian (11-1, 2-0 CL) earned 280 points in the first poll of the regular season. The Knights boast a 5-1 clip against teams that were ranked or receiving votes in the NAIA Preseason Poll.
No. 17 Saint Francis (6-3, 1-1 CL) moved up four spots in the latest rankings with 137 points. The Cougars have suffered back-to-back losses to Top-15 foes but rank No. 8 in the nation in scoring defense.
No. 23 Indiana Wesleyan (8-2, 2-0 CL) jumped into the Top-25 with 96 points. IWU lost a pair of games early but has rebounded to notch wins in seven-straight contests, including one over NAIA Division I No. 5 Shawnee State.
RV Taylor (6-4, 2-0 CL) remained just outside the Top-25 with 26 points. Three of TU’s defeats have come to Top-15 opponents, with one win coming over NAIA Division I No. 5 Shawnee State.
MEN’S BASKETBALL (Next Poll on December 12)
No. 3 Saint Francis (8-2, 2-0 CL) held steady in the new poll with 290 points. The Cougars dropped a pair of games early but have rebounded with seven-straight wins, including five victories over teams ranked or receiving votes in the preseason ratings.
No. 4 Indiana Wesleyan (8-1, 2-0 CL) inched up two spots with a new total of 276 points. IWU’s lone setback came on the road in a one-point loss to No. 9 IU East but topped then-No. 1 Cornerstone by one in its other Top-25 clash.
No. 12 Taylor (8-1, 1-1 CL) also climbed the rankings, moving up three positions with 200 points. TU boasts a 3-1 mark against nationally-ranked foes, including a pair of victories over Top-10 teams.
No. 16 Bethel (9-1, 2-0 CL) jumped six positions with 131 points in the latest ratings. The Pilots rank No. 2 in the nation in field goal defense, No. 3 in rebound margin and No. 6 in scoring defense.
No. 21 Spring Arbor (9-2, 0-2 CL) cracked the Top-25 with 108 points. SAU scored a win over then-No. 1 Cornerstone in its third outing and has three victories over teams ranked or receiving votes in the preseason ratings.
CROSSROADS LEAGUE IN ADDITIONAL TOP-25 POLLS
VOLLEYBALL (Announced on November 13 – Next Poll on December 6)
RV Marian
RV Indiana Wesleyan
WOMEN’S SOCCER (Announced on November 7 – Next Poll on December 6)
No. 3 Spring Arbor
No. 14 Marian
RV Indiana Wesleyan
MEN’S SOCCER (Announced on November 7 – Next Poll on December 6)
No. 21 Spring Arbor
BASEBALL (Announced on November 7 – Next Poll on March 6)
RV Huntington
WOMEN’S GOLF (Announced on November 3 – Next Poll on March 9)
No. 16 Taylor
No. 25 Bethel
RV Marian
RV Indiana Wesleyan
MEN’S GOLF (Announced on November 3 – Next Poll on March 9)
No. 15 Taylor
RV Indiana Wesleyan
WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY (Final Poll)
No. 5 Taylor
No. 21 Indiana Wesleyan
MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY (Final Poll)
No. 14 Indiana Wesleyan
No. 17 Taylor