An updated look at our ASUN men’s basketball Power Rankings as teams get towards the end of their non-conference schedules this season. Conference play begins on January 4th, so teams still have a couple more weeks before league play begins.
This week’s Power Rankings are based on games played through December 13th.
Note: National rankings are courtesy of KenPom.com. Arrows denote change in power rankings since previous ranking.
1. FGCU 9-3 #189
no change
The Eagles continue to play well to begin the season, having won eight out of their past nine games. Seven of those wins have come against Division I teams with thier only loss to Florida International on Dec. 1. FGCU has a tough challenge on Sunday at home against Mercer before closing their non-conference schedule on Dec. 22 at Canisius. Are the Eagles for real?
This week: 12/19 vs Mercer
2. Liberty 6-4 #126
3
The Flames were able to rebound from dropping three straight games with four consecutive wins as the calendar turned towards December. Included in that streak was a home win over Missouri by 21. Sure, the Tigers are struggling, but any win by an ASUN team over a Power Five school, especially by 20+ points, is noteworthy. Cold shooting returned for the Flames on Saturday in Texas as Liberty fell to Stephen F Austin, 63-51.
This week: 12/17 vs East Carolina
3. Eastern Kentucky 5-6 #193
1
The Colonels have dropped five straight contests, but two of them were against top 50 teams West Virginia and USC. EKU also had competitive games against top 120 teams Western Kentucky and Marshall. They did fall at Radford by 13 as the ASUN newcomers hope to remain near the top of their new league throughout the season.
This week: 12/15 vs Midway, 12/18 vs Northern Kentucky
4. Jacksonville St 4-5 #149
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The Gamecocks are also expected to compete near the top of the conference this season, but they have dropped four of six games. Most recently, Jacksonville State dropped back to back games against South Alabama and VCU.
This week: 12/15 vs FIU, 12/18 @ Alabama, 12/21 @ Little Rock
5. Jacksonville 5-3 #238
1
The surprise of the early season in the ASUN has been the Jacksonville Dolphins. Under first year head coach, Jordan Mincy, JU was expected to be near the bottom of the league standings. However, they have already picked up three non-conference Division I wins, including a 77-48 drubbing of UNC Wilmington on Saturday.
This week: 12/14 @ Southern Miss, 12/18 vs Webber, 12/21 @ Pittsburgh
6. Lipscomb 5-6 #254
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After starting out to a strong 5-2 record, the Bisons have now dropped four straight including a bad loss at home to KenPom ranked #311 Tennessee State. Two of their remaining non-conference games are against Florida State and LSU as it will be difficult for head coach Lennie Acuff to stop the losing before ASUN play begins after New Year’s.
This week: 12/15 @ Florida State, 12/19 vs Tennessee Wesleyan
7. Kennesaw St 4-6 #279
no change
The Owls have lost their last two games against Division I opponents, falling to Mercer and Wofford, before picking up a win against non-Division I team Voorhees. They have two more tests against DI foes before conference play begins, as they take on Samford and Nebraska, both on the road.
This week: 12/18 @ Samford
8. North Alabama 6-3 #299
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The Lions have reeled off five straight wins since losing their first three games against Division I opponents to open the season. However, all three of their Division I wins during the win streak have come against teams currently ranked #329 or worse in KenPom.
This week: 12/14 @ Auburn, 12/18 vs Southeastern Baptist
9. Bellarmine 5-6 #200
1
The Knights have won three straight, all against non-Division I opponents. In fact, they’ve won 5 out of 6 games with four of those wins against non-DI teams. Their only win during that stretch, and this season against a Division I team, was on Nov. 23 against Central Michigan. Bellarmine will try to change that in the coming weeks as they have four chances to pick up a Division I win before conference play starts.
This week: 12/15 @ South Dakota, 12/18 @ Miami (OH), 12/21 vs Loyola Marymount
10. Stetson 3-6 #250
1
Stetson has dropped four straight and six out of seven before their win over non-DI opponent Johnson on Monday. The Hatters have one win over a DI team this year, defeating Lamar, 60-59, on Nov. 19.
This week: 12/16 vs Charleston, 12/12 @ Miami FL
11. North Florida 3-9 #286
no change
It continues to be difficult to get a read on UNF. They’ve played the likes of Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Arizona State, UCLA, Kentucky, and Florida. Those games can pretty much be thrown out. A 76-41 loss at Florida Atlantic gives cause for concern, but they did respond with a seven point win over Austin Peay on Saturday.
This week: 12/18 vs Trinity Baptist, 12/21 @ Florida State
12. Central Arkansas 1-8 #340
no change
Central Arkansas has lost two games against in-state opponents since our previous power rankings, falling at Arkansas and Arkansas State. They remain in-state, facing Little Rock on Tuesday. The Bears’ only win this season came against Oral Roberts, 70-67, on Nov. 20.
This week: 12/14 vs Little Rock, 12/18 @ Missouri State, 12/20 vs Hendrix
