LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Undefeated North Georgia claimed the top spot in this week’s NFCA DII Top 25 Coaches Poll. The NightHawks (12-0) captured 12 of 16 first-place votes and 396 points.
UNG opened its campaign with 12 straight wins before a pause to its season happened on March 5. The NightHawks’ scheduled return to play today against Union was postponed due to weather. UNG’s next contest will be its Peach Belt Conference opener against Flagler on March 22.
No. 2 Texas A&M University-Commerce (four first-place votes) and idle No. 3 Augustana each moved up one spot, while No. 4 Lincoln Memorial, No. 5 Rollins, No. 6 UT Tyler and No. 8 Oklahoma Christian elevated two positions each.
The Lions (14-4) posted four road victories in Lone Star Conference (LSC) play, sweeping Western New Mexico and Texas Permian Basin. The Railsplitters (18-2) and Tars (4-0) also swept league opponents. LMU captured South Atlantic Conference (SAC) road sweeps at Tusculum and Newberry. Rollins opened its 2021 campaign with four triumphs over Sunshine State Conference foe Barry.
UT Tyler defeated Permian Basin in a doubleheader on March 12, but its March 14 twinbill at Western New Mexico was moved to March 15. The Patriots (12-4 – as of 3/14) did win both contests against the Mustangs.
OC won three tightly-contested LSC contests, sweeping Texas A&M International and taking the first game against then-No. 18 Texas A&M-Kingsville before dropping game two.
Valdosta State slipped to No. 7 after going 2-1 at home against Union in a Gulf South Conference series, while Concordia Irvine fell one spot to No. 10 following a split with Biola in a four-game PacWest series.
Rogers State makes its first appearance in the top 10, rising three spots to No. 9. The Hillcats (9-3) posted a 3-1 week in MIAA action, sweeping Newman and splitting with then-No. 25 Central Oklahoma.
Rogers State faces off against No. 3 Augustana in a top-10 matchup at the HiVee Classic in St. Joseph, Mo. Additionally at the HiVee, No. 23 Central Oklahoma locks horns with No. 14 Winona State.
Also on next week’s slate, is a top-25 LSC tilt between t-No. 15 A&M-Kingsville and No. 18 West Texas A&M in Kingsville, Texas.
Southern Arkansas, who held onto the top spot since the start of the season, plummeted to No. 12. Coming off a five-and-a-half week hiatus, the Muleriders (5-2) turned in a 3-2 week in Great American Conference play. SAU split at Arkansas-Monticello and took two-of-three from Ouachita Baptist.
The 2021 NFCA Division II Top 25 Poll is voted on by 16 NCAA Division II head coaches with two representing each of the eight NCAA regions. Records reflect games played through March 14. In 2021, universities that are not competing will not be eligible for the poll.
2021 NFCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll
March 17 (Week 5)
|
Rank |
School |
Points |
2021 Record |
Last Poll |
|
1 |
North Georgia (12) |
396 |
12-0 |
2 |
|
2 |
Texas A&M-Commerce (4) |
388 |
14-4 |
3 |
|
3 |
Augustana |
360 |
4-2 |
4 |
|
4 |
Lincoln Memorial |
346 |
18-2 |
6 |
|
5 |
Rollins |
343 |
4-0 |
7 |
|
6 |
UT Tyler |
320 |
12-4 |
8 |
|
7 |
Valdosta State |
290 |
12-3 |
5 |
|
8 |
Oklahoma Christian |
279 |
15-3 |
10 |
|
9 |
Rogers State |
270 |
9-3 |
12 |
|
10 |
Concordia Irvine |
249 |
6-3 |
9 |
|
11 |
Saint Leo |
239 |
6-2 |
11 |
|
12 |
Southern Arkansas |
237 |
5-2 |
1 |
|
13 |
Indianapolis |
210 |
7-1 |
14 |
|
14 |
Winona State |
191 |
8-0 |
15 |
|
t15 |
Texas A&M-Kingsville |
165 |
12-2 |
18 |
|
t15 |
Young Harris |
165 |
15-4 |
17 |
|
17 |
Saint Anselm |
157 |
0-0 |
16 |
|
18 |
West Texas A&M |
136 |
15-5 |
19 |
|
19 |
Grand Valley State |
103 |
6-2 |
20 |
|
20 |
West Chester |
83 |
4-0 |
21 |
|
21 |
West Florida |
63 |
15-7 |
23 |
|
22 |
Colorado Mesa |
58 |
8-0 |
22 |
|
23 |
Central Oklahoma |
57 |
12-4 |
25 |
|
24 |
Angelo State |
27 |
12-7 |
24 |
|
25 |
UAH |
26 |
12-6 |
13 |
Dropped Out: None.
Receiving Votes: Anderson (10), Western Washington (10), St. Cloud State (9), Shepherd (6), Northwest Nazarene (4), Auburn Montgomery (2), Minnesota State (1).
The 2021 NFCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll is voted on by 16 NCAA Division II head coaches with two representing each of the NCAA’s eight regions. Records reflect games played through March 14.
