Arkansas Tech is No. 1.
The Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys (16-0 overall, 3-0 Gulf South Conference) climbed to the pinnacle of the NCAA Division II men’s basketball world on Tuesday when they earned the top spot in the National Association of Basketball Coaches D-II poll for the first time in school history.
The Wonder Boys made it to No. 1 with league wins over Henderson State and Harding last week, while previously top-ranked Augusta State suffered an 81-75 loss at Valdosta State on Saturday.
That opened the door for Arkansas Tech to become the first men’s basketball program from Arkansas to ever be ranked No. 1 in the NCAA Division II men’s basketball poll.
Tech is just the fourth different GSC member to ever hold that lofty perch.
Former members Jacksonville State (once in 1986) and Montevallo (twice during the 2005-06 season) both made it to No. 1.
The only other current GSC member to ever be ranked No. 1 in the NCAA Division II men’s basketball poll is Delta State. The Statesmen were No. 1 for two weeks late in the 2005-06 season.
The Wonder Boys are off to their best start since 1952-53, and their 16-game winning streak is their longest string of consecutive wins at any point in a season since 1955.
Tech will take on the Ouachita Baptist Tigers at 8 p.m. Thursday in Arkadelphia. Russellville radio station KWKK 100.9 FM and www.athletics.atu.edu will have live play-by-play coverage from Vining Arena.
The Wonder Boys will play their first-ever home game as the No. 1-ranked team in the nation when they host Delta State at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Admission to Tucker Coliseum will be free with a valid Tech identification card. Tickets will be available at the gate beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday.
Click here to view this week’s complete NCAA Division II men’s basketball top 25.
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