Conference play is well underway as we are now three full weeks into ASUN games. There is still a long way to go as we inch towards the stretch run. Here is our updated ASUN Power Rankings, based on games played through January 15.
Note: National rankings are courtesy of KenPom.com. Arrows denote change in power rankings since previous ranking.
1. Eastern Kentucky #190 (12-7, 5-1)
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Wow, what an impressive start to conference play for the Colonels. They have won 7 out of 8 games with their past three wins coming over Liberty, Florida Gulf Coast, and Stetson. With their strong play, EKU is currently part of a four way tie for first place atop the ASUN standings. Can they take their success on the road? We will find out this week.
This week: 1/19 at Lipscomb, 1/21 at Austin Peay
2. Liberty #70 (14-5, 5-1)
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The Flames are going to be a tough out for any ASUN team, particularly at home. The Flames have won their four home conference games by margins of 29, 34, 18, and 20. The upcoming trip to Jacksonville, Florida has always been challenging for Liberty. The Dolphins haven’t lost at home since February 2021, and Liberty has never beaten UNF on their home floor.
This week: 1/19 at Jacksonville, 1/21 at North Florida
3. Kennesaw State #177 (13-6, 5-1)
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The Owls keep on rolling and are currently in a first place tie in the conference. Two very challenging games will test Kennesaw this week in which we should learn just how for real the Owls are this season.
This week: 1/19 at Stetson, 1/21 at FGCU
4. Stetson #179 (10-7, 5-1)
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It’s probably not fair to drop the Hatters three spots due to a loss on the road to Eastern Kentucky. Stetson enjoyed their time alone in first place for nearly a week before falling into a tie. Thursday night’s game against Kennesaw State is the game of the week in the league this week.
This week: 1/19 vs Kennesaw State, 1/21 vs Jacksonville State
5. Lipscomb #184 (11-8, 3-3)
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The Bisons absolutely dominated Austin Peay in their same week home and home. Their reward? Playing the league’s hottest team. At least they get them at home…
This week: 1/19 vs Eastern Kentucky, 1/21 vs Bellarmine
6. Jacksonville #182 (10-7, 3-3)
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The Dolphins split their two contests this week on the road against Kennesaw State and Jacksonville State, losing to the Owls and beating the Gamecocks. The Dolphins return back to the friendly confines of their home court where they have not lost under head coach Jordan Mincy.
This week: 1/19 vs Liberty, 1/21 vs Queens
7. Bellarmine #268 (8-11, 3-3)
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It’s been an up and down season for the Knights. That trend has continued into conference play. This week, the defending ASUN champs lost at home to Stetson before bouncing back with a nice win at home against FGCU.
This week: 1/19 at Austin Peay, 1/21 at Lipscomb
8. FGCU #151 (13-6, 3-3)
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The Eagles looked like they would be competing at the top of the conference throughout the year, but that has not been the case. Even if FGCU’s league wins, outside of their comfortable win over North Florida, they could have easily lost. A big comeback was needed in the league opener against Jacksonville and a last second four-point play by was needed to force overtime against Central Arkansas.
This week: 1/19 vs Jacksonville State, 1/21 vs Kennesaw State
9. Central Arkansas #333 (6-13, 1-5)
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The Bears may end up finishing near the cellar of the conference standings, but they will be a team no one wants to play to open the ASUN tournament. With Camren Hunter, UCA has a chance to be competitive against just about anyone in the league, and they have proven that so far this season.
This week: 1/18 vs North Alabama, 1/21 at North Alabama
10. Jacksonville State #299 (8-11, 1-5)
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At least the Gamecocks got a win in conference play this past week, winning at home against North Florida. A very tough road swing for JSU this week.
This week: 1/19 at FGCU, 1/21 at Stetson
11. Queens #197 (13-6, 3-3)
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As Queens fights to finish in the top half of the ASUN standings this year, which would be a very good feat for the first year Division I squad, a loss at home to Central Arkansas could haunt them all season.
This week: 1/19 at North Florida, 1/21 at Jacksonville
12. North Florida #269 (7-11, 2-4)
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Lose two games this week and slide up a slot in the power rankings? Other teams just lost worse I guess…
This week: 1/19 vs Queens, 1/21 vs Liberty
13. North Alabama #319 (9-10, 1-5)
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How did North Alabama defeat Ole Miss?
This week: 1/18 at Central Arkansas, 1/21 vs Central Arkansas
14. Austin Peay #255 (8-11, 2-4)
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Austin Peay is one of the hardest teams to get a read on in the ASUN. They knock off FGCU and then pick up a 24 point win over Central Arkansas, but follow that up with consecutive losses to Lipscomb each by double figures.
This week: 1/19 vs Bellarmine, 1/21 vs Eastern Kentucky