An updated look at our ASUN men’s basketball Power Rankings entering the final few days of the regular season. All teams have just two regular season games remaining before next week’s ASUN Tournament. This week’s Power Rankings are based on games played through February 21st.
Note: National rankings are courtesy of KenPom.com. Arrows denote change in power rankings since previous ranking.
1. Jacksonville 18-8, 10-4 #178
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The Dolphins are one of the hottest teams in the conference. Under first year head coach Jordan Mincy, Jacksonville has won four straight and seven out of eight. Their only loss during that time period was a six point setback on the road against Jacksonville State. JU can wrap up a first round bye this week and is just one game behind Liberty for the top spot in the ASUN’s East Division.
This week: 2/23 vs North Florida, 2/26 @ FGCU
2. North Florida 10-18, 6-8 #252
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An incredible turnaround Matt Driscoll’s squad. In late January, they were sitting at 4-16 overall and 0-6 in the ASUN, having lost seven straight. Since that time, the Ospreys are 6-2 with their losses each coming by exactly three points. They have wins over Jacksonville State and Liberty during that time. UNF is a team no higher seed will want to face in next week’s ASUN Tournament.
This week: 2/23 @ Jacksonville, 2/26 @ Stetson
3. FGCU 18-10, 8-6 #222
no change
Entering February, FGCU was just 3-5 in conference play and looked like they would limp towards another tough season. That hasn’t been the case as the Eagles reeled off five straight to begin February before seeing their win streak come to an end at North Florida on Saturday. FGCU has a chance to get a first round bye in next week’s ASUN Tournament, but they will have to earn it the hard way with games against the top two teams in the East this week.
This week: 2/23 @ Liberty, 2/26 vs Jacksonville
4. Jacksonville State 18-9, 11-3 #142
no change
After dropping three out of four, the Gamecocks have responded with two tough wins on the road, including a huge game on Sunday night at Bellarmine. JSU controls its own destiny towards winning the West Division and securing home court throughout the ASUN Tournament. They own the head to head tiebreakers with all of their top challengers in Bellarmine, Liberty, and Jacksonville.
This week: 2/23 vs Eastern Kentucky, 2/26 vs North Alabama
5. Liberty 20-9, 11-3 106
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After Jacksonville State dropped three out of four games, Liberty was in sole possession of first place in the ASUN and controlled its own destiny to have home court advantage throughout the conference tournament. That was before the Flames went to Jacksonville for two road games, dropping both after holding double digit leads in the second half. Now, Liberty and JSU are tied for the best record in the conference at 11-3, but the Gamecocks hold the tiebreaker for home court due to their head to head win.
This week: 2/23 vs FGCU, 2/26 vs Kennesaw State
6. Bellarmine 16-12, 10-4 #203
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The Knights had an opportunity to seize control of the ASUN’s West Division and keep their hopes alive for home court throughout the regular season, but they were unable to knock off Jacksonville State at home on Sunday night, falling 82-67. Bellarmine has already secured a first round bye and can finish the regular season on a high note this week.
This week: 2/23 vs Lipscomb, 2/26 @ Eastern Kentucky
7. Lipscomb 12-17, 5-9 #283
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The Bisons have a team that can compete in just about every game. Seven of their nine conference losses this season have been by nine points or fewer. Lipscomb has won two out of their past three games as they hope to build some momentum heading towards the postseason.
This week: 2/23 @ Bellarmine, 2/26 vs Central Arkansas
8. Central Arkansas 9-18, 6-8 #321
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The Bears were expected to spend most of their first season in the ASUN at the bottom of the conference standings, but that hasn’t been the case this season. UCA continues to find ways to pull out close wins to hold on to third place in the West Division. They finish the regular with two games away from home.
This week: 2/23 @ North Alabama, 2/26 @ Lipscomb
9. Eastern Kentucky 12-16, 4-10 #269
no change
The Colonels haven’t lived up to their preseason expectations in their first year in the ASUN. Picked to finish second behind Liberty, Eastern Kentucky has been unable to string together wins. They have lost four out of five and six out of eight entering the final week where they will face the top two teams in the West.
This week: 2/23 @ Jacksonville State, 2/26 vs Bellarmine
10. Stetson 11-16, 5-9 #308
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The Hatters pulled a huge upset at home over Jacksonville State a couple of weeks ago, but since then they have dropped three straight to fall towards the bottom of the East. Stetson is currently one game behind Kennesaw State and North Florida in the basement of the East Division. Despite their up and down season, the Hatters have the firepower behind Chase Johnston and Christiaan Jones to be a dangerous team in the conference tournament.
This week: 2/23 @ Kennesaw State, 2/26 vs North Florida
11. Kennesaw St 11-16, 6-8 #228
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The Owls looked like they were going to compete in the top half of the conference this season following their 4-1 start to ASUN play. Since that time they have dropped seven out of nine games to slip towards the bottom of the pack in the East.
This week: 2/23 vs Stetson, 2/26 @ Liberty
12. North Alabama 9-18, 2-12 #309
no change
The Lions continue to struggle and are unable to find the success that they have seen in their first few years in the ASUN. North Alabama has lost six straight and 10 out of 11 entering the final week of the regular season.
This week: 2/23 vs Central Arkansas, 2/26 @ Jacksonville State
