Arkansas Tech has established a new Gulf South Conference record for the longest consecutive period ranked No. 1 in the National Association of Basketball Coaches NCAA Division II men’s basketball poll.
The Wonder Boys (21-0 overall, 8-0 GSC) are No. 1 for a fourth consecutive week, breaking a record previously held by former Gulf South Conference member Montevallo for the longest streak atop the poll by a GSC team.
Montevallo had two three-week runs at No. 1 during the 2005-06 season.
Arkansas Tech survived two close calls last week to remain undefeated and No. 1. The Wonder Boys went on the road and beat Southern Arkansas 79-69 in overtime on Thursday. Tech came home to slip past Arkansas-Monticello 67-65 on Saturday.
Tech is one of two undefeated teams remaining in NCAA Division II men’s basketball. The other is Southern Indiana, which is 21-0 and ranked No. 2.
The Wonder Boys rank among the NCAA Division II statistical leaders in turnover margin (2nd, +7.6 turnovers per game), 3-point field goal percentage defense (8th, .286), scoring defense (9th, 59.8 points allowed per game), steals per game (12th, 10.5 per game) and field goal percentage defense (17th, .394).
Tech will take on the Henderson State Reddies at 8 p.m. Thursday at the Duke Wells Center in Arkadelphia.
The Wonder Boys will host the Harding Bisons at 6 p.m. Saturday at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville.
Russellville radio station KWKK 100.9 FM and www.athletics.atu.edu will have live play-by-play coverage of both games.
Click here to view this week’s complete NCAA Division II men’s basketball top 25 poll.
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