KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A team that has spent a good deal of time as the nation’s top-ranked team in recent seasons is back on the top of the list, as West Liberty has supplanted Metro State as the No. 1 team in the latest NABC Division II rankings.
Metro State dropped a 72-69 decision Saturday at then-No. 7 Western Washington, moving West Liberty to the top spot as a result. It marks the fifth time since 2011 that the Hilltoppers are the nation’s top-ranked squad, where they have spent 20 previous weeks in that position.The loss by the Roadrunners also allowed Bellarmine, Drury and Florida Southern to move up in the rankings to the three spots in back of West Liberty, while Western Washington jumped over Metro State into the fifth spot with the Roadrunners in sixth.
Indiana (Pa.) jumped to seventh in this week’s poll, followed by Findlay, Minnesota State and Dixie State to complete the top 10. Southern Indiana checked in at No. 11, with Montevallo, Livingstone, Tarleton State and Fort Hays State taking the next four spots. Seattle Pacific fell seven spots to 16th after a loss Saturday at Chico State, while the top 20 spots are completed with East Stroudsburg, Arkansas-Fort Smith, Colorado Mines and Midwestern State.
The final five teams include four making their first appearance in the rankings this season. Bentley is No. 21 and Washburn is at No. 22, while Lincoln Memorial dropped 10 spots to 23rd. The last two are undefeated teams from Georgia Southwestern and Texas A&M-Commerce.
