Tech’s ascension to the top spot in the national rankings came about thanks to the Wonder Boys wins last week over Henderson State (87-66) and Harding (82-71) and previous No. 1 Augusta State’s 81-75 loss this past Saturday at then No. 11 ranked Valdosta State.

The Wonder Boys, who earned 199 points and seven out of a possible eight first place votes this week, becomes the first Gulf South Conference team to headline the NABC/Division II Poll since Delta State was ranked No. 1 in 2006. The Statesmen held the top spot in the poll for two weeks from Feb. 28 until March 6 that year. The longest a GSC school has been ranked No. 1 was Montevallo, who held onto the top spot three times on two separate occasions (11/29/05-12/13/05 and 1/10/06-1/24/06).

Tech, who is 16-0 on the season following its two victories last week, is one of two GSC squads ranked in this week’s No. 10 as Valdosta State (16-2) jumped three spots to No. 8 after its upset win over Augusta State. In addition to Tech and Valdosta State, Delta State, who the Wonder Boys play host to on Saturday at Tucker Coliseum, earned one vote in this week’s poll.

Following Tech in the poll this week is Kutztown (14-0) at No. 2 and Minnesota State (16-0) jumps one spot to No. 3. Southern Indiana (16-0) leaps one spot to No. 4 and Fort Hays State (15-1), who earned the other first place vote, moves up one spot to No. 5 this week.

The next five in the poll begins with Augusta State (14-1) at No. 6 and the Jaguars are followed by Central Missouri (15-1) at No. 7 and Valdosta State at No. 8. Indiana [PA] (13-1) jumps three spots to No. 9 and Quincy [IL] (15-0) leaps four spots to No. 10 this week.

Midwestern State (14-1) falls four spots to No. 11 and the Mustangs are followed by Seattle Pacific (12-2) at No. 12 and Kentucky Wesleyan (17-2) falls three spots to No. 13. Bentley (14-2) jumps three spots to No. 14, while Western Washington (16-2) moves up four spots to No. 15 and Florida Southern (14-2) falls seven spots to No. 16. Mesa State (13-1) advances four spots to No. 17, while Montevallo (13-1) falls five spots to No. 18, Drury (13-3) jumps three spots to No. 19 and Rollins [FL] (12-3) moves up three spots to round out this week’s Top 20 at No. 20.

The final five teams in this week’s rankings are West Virginia State (11-1) at No. 21, Metro State (13-2) returns to this week’s poll at No. 22 and Augustana [SD] (14-2) falls five spots to No. 23. Southwest Baptist (15-4) falls eight spots to No. 24 and East Stroudsburg [PA] (14-1) drops one spot to No. 25 to round out this week’s poll.

Tech will put its No. 1 ranking to the test on Thursday, Jan. 21 when the Wonder Boys travel to Arkadelphia, Ark., to face Ouachita Baptist (4-12 overall, 0-3 GSC) in an 8 p.m. contest at Vining Arena. Following Thursday’s game, Tech will return home to play host to Delta State (12-3, 3-0 GSC) in a 6 p.m. contest at Tucker Coliseum on Saturday, Jan. 23.

–Courtesy ATU Athletics