Pikeville Maintains NAIA Top 15 Presence

1. Grace (Ind.)

The Lancers hold the top spot once again, as the young squad has found a rhythm and is sharing the ball well. Since the release of the fourth coaches' poll, they are averaging 21 assists per game, shooting 59.4% from the floor, and making nearly 8 three-pointers per game. Grace is outscoring opponents by 17.3 points per game over the same timeframe. As a team, Grace capitalizes on its free throw opportunities as well, shooting 72.1% at the stripe. The Lancers over the last two weeks have also had balanced scoring, with four players averaging double digits per game, led by Tyler Raasch at 16 per game.

2. Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.)

FHU's grip on No. 2 in the nation is steady for another week. Since the release of the fourth top 25 poll, the Lions have been controlling games from opening tip-off to the final horn. With a +24 scoring margin, averaging 8.3 tripples per game, and a -9 turnover margin, they are capitalizing on opponent mistakes and creating extra possessions. Freed-Hardeman is also grabbing an average of 3.3 more boards per game than its foes in the same time frame. The Lions' scoring margin is evident when you just look at the shooting percentages and see six players shooting over 50% from the floor, with five of them scoring an average of ten or more points per night.

3. Oklahoma Wesleyan

The Eagles are on the rise again and back up to No. 3 this week. OKWU isn't soaring through opponents, but they are picking up wins by taking care of the rock for a full 40 minutes. Oklahoma Wesleyan is posting a -5.5 turnover margin since Jan. 14, and while not sporting a huge rebound difference at 0.8, they are picking up 3.0 more steals per game than opponents during the same time. Temaje Lzuagbe leads the team over the four games played since the release of the fourth coaches' top 25 poll, averaging 21.8 points per game.

4. Ave Maria (Fla.)

The Gyrenes climb one spot in the fifth poll after a tough slate of games since Jan. 14. Ave went 3-1 in that time frame, with an average of 1.8 ties and 2.0 lead changes per game. Second chances and points in the paint have made the difference in these games. Over their three wins since Jan. 14, they have trailed in all of them from as many as three points to as much as 11. Jonathan Effertz or Michael Klekas has led the team in scoring, with nearly identical point totals. Effertz with 31 against Keiser (Fla.), then 18 against Southeastern (Fla.) (Ave's one loss during this stretch), and Klekas with 31 against Webber International (Fla.) and 17 against St. Thomas (Fla.).

5. Indiana Wesleyan

IWU has been averaging 15.3 more points per game than its opponents over three games since Jan. 14. The only real separator between the Wildcats and the three Crossroads League foes played in this time frame is rebounding margin. Indiana Wesleyan is grabbing an average of 15.3 more boards per game than its opponents, while field goal, three-point, and free throw percentages are nearly identical, slightly favoring the Wildcats. Turnover margin and steals per game are also nearly the same, sliding slightly in favor of opponents. Despite all of that, IWU climbed from No. 11 to No. 5 this week, pulling out three tough road wins, with one of those being an overtime win against Goshen (Ind.) this past weekend.

6. Cumberlands (Ky.)

UC is on the rise again this week, up two spots. The Patriots picked up two commanding home wins. The biggest of the two was an 81-76 win against Georgetown (Ky.), who held steady at No. 18. Kyle Duke led the charge in that game, putting up 28 points. Cumberlands (Ky.) has taken care of the ball and handled business on the glass, helping them to climb in the poll. The bench has played a big role for UC since the fourth poll, contributing 17.5 points per game on average, compared to just 4.5 for their foes, in games that have averaged 3.5 lead changes per game.

7. Arizona Christian

ACU has been on a roll with one hiccup since Jan. 14. The Firestorm ran through the Royals, but hit a snag against the Royals last week. They got back on track with statement wins against La Sierra (Calif.) by 33 points, then Life Pacific by 21. Averaging 17.5 points per game, more than opponents in four games, 9.3 more boards, and 2.5 more steals per game, Arizona Christian is back on track as they climbed three spots from the fourth coaches' poll. ACU battled even in its one loss to The Master's (Calif.); the game featured four ties and 10 lead changes; it was a battle in the paint.

8. Nelson (Texas)

Nelson vaulted nine spots and into the top 10 for the first time this season, thanks to three big wins in the Sooner Athletic Conference. With a +13 scoring margin and nearly a whole point above opponents in shooting percentage from the floor, they have definitely capitalized on the opportunities presented to them. Along with a +5 margin in steals per game, they have allowed themselves a few extra possessions and chances to pull away in games. The Lions share the ball well when needed, averaging 18.7 assists per contest in the same time frame. Trelin Green creates opportunities for his teammates, averaging seven assists per game over the two-week stretch, while Micah Clark is knocking down shots to average 27 points per game.

9. Langston (Okla.)

Langston slipped a few spots from the Jan. 14 release two weeks ago, going 2-1 over that time frame. The only blemish for the Lions was a four-point road loss to the Golden Eagles of John Brown (Ark.) on Jan. 17. LU maintains a 14.3 scoring margin over opponents still in those three games played since the previous poll, and has been critical about not turning the ball over. With a -7.7 turnover margin compared to the competition. The Lions are able to earn extra possessions, which also contributes to their 7.3 rebound margin and nearly 31 boards per game over the same stretch. Orlando Thomas leads the squad in points per game over this time frame, averaging 18.3 while he shoots 55% from deep.

10. Bethel (Ind.)

The Pilots remain inside the top 10 in the fifth coaches' poll release after a tough two weeks in Crossroads League action. Bethel has three guys averaging double-digits since Jan. 14: Austin Cripe, Luke McBride, Jameir Jefferson, Alonas Peciulis, and Colin Comer, who leads the team with 13.7 points per game. BU has capitalized on second-chance points more than opponents, averaging 16.0 per game, 3 more than opponents.