Xavier University Moves Up to No. 20

The Xavier University (Louisiana) Men’s Basketball Team are moving up in the NAIA Division I Top 25 rankings. The Gold Rush (14-6 overall, 3-1 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference) have moved to their highest ranking in the polls, No. 20, since their initial ranking during the preseason of 13th in the Coach’s Poll.

The Gold Rush currently have the longest active streak at the NAIA Division I level, at 42 consecutive appearances.

This isn’t too much of a surprise as they have been ranked in 55 of the previous 56 polls. The Gulf Coast Atlantic Conference is well represented with three teams in the Top 25.

Talladega comes in at the sixth spot, while Philander Smith comes in shortly under XU at 23rd.

The top 25:

1. Campbellsville
2. Cal State San Marcos
3. Pikeville
4. Hope International
5. Martin Methodist
6. Talladega
7. Freed-Hardeman
8. Oklahoma Baptist
9. (tie) Montana Western
9. (tie) Benedictine (Kan.)
11. Our Lady of the Lake
12. Concordia (Calif.)
13. Dalton State
14. Wayland Baptist
15. Arizona Christian
16. Columbia (Mo.)
17. Georgetown (Ky.)
18. William Carey
19. Great Falls
20. Xavier
21. Evangel
22. LSU-Alexandria
23. Philander Smith
24. Cumberlands
25. Mid-America Christian