The calendar has turned to January and that can only mean one thing – we are full on into conference play! The ASUN has completed its first weekend of conference play with everyone having played two league games so far. Here is our updated ASUN Power Rankings, based on games played through January 3.
Note: National rankings are courtesy of KenPom.com. Arrows denote change in power rankings since previous ranking.
1. Liberty #68 (11-4, 2-0)
1
Liberty has reclaimed their hold onto first place in these power rankings thanks to two decisive wins to open conference play. There have been 14 conference games played throughout the league so far this season, only four of them have been decided by double figures and two of those have been Liberty wins. Not to mention, the Flames have wins by 17 and 29 points. Not a bad start, as Coach McKay and the Flames have been one of the hottest teams in the country over the past month or so.
This week: 1/5 vs Jacksonville State, 1/8 at Eastern Kentucky
2. FGCU #122 (12-3, 2-0)
1
The Eagles continued their strong play on the court, opening league play at 2-0. It wasn’t easy for them though, as FGCU needed to come from behind in both wins. They defeated Jacksonville, 72-65, after trailing by as many as 18 points. FGCU held the Dolphins scoreless over the final four minutes of action to pull out the win. On Monday, FGCU needed a last second four point play to force overtime where they would outlast Central Arkansas.
This week: 1/5 at Austin Peay, 1/7 vs North Florida
3. Jacksonville #156 (8-5, 1-1)
1
The Dolphins concluded non-conference play with a loss at Notre Dame, but they have had two very strong performances to open league play. Honestly, Jacksonville should probably be 2-0 as they had a conference favorite, FGCU, on the ropes in Fort Myers, but were unable to withstand the Eagles second half comeback. The Dolphins were able to rebound with a 16 point over Jacksonville State as it looks like second year head coach Jordan Mincy has his team right back in the mix at the top of the ASUN this year.
This week: 1/5 at Stetson, 1/7 vs Lipscomb
4. Kennesaw State #213 (10-5, 2-0)
1
A 2-0 week for the Owls to open ASUN play. They knocked off Central Arkansas by 16 before outlasting Eastern Kentucky, 79-75. Kennesaw State has plans on competing at the top of the league this season, and they are off to a good start. A tough road swing awaits this week.
This week: 1/5 at North Florida, 1/7 at Queens
5. Stetson #232 (7-6, 2-0)
3
With their league opening win at Lipscomb in overtime, the Hatters have immediately inserted themselves into the conference race discussion. They followed that up with a six point win at home over North Florida. A big test for Stetson Thursday against Jacksonville.
This week: 1/5 vs Jacksonville, 1/7 at North Alabama
6. Eastern Kentucky #247 (8-7, 1-1)
4
EKU was probably the biggest disappointment last in the conference last season. They have had a strong start to league play so far this year, knocking off Queens and nearly pulling the upset at Kennesaw State. Two challenging but winnable games await this week. Find a way to get at least a split and the Colonels could be a factor in the ASUN.
This week: 1/5 at Central Arkansas, 1/8 vs Liberty
7. Queens #188 (11-4, 1-1)
4
Queens got their first taste of conference play at the Division I level this week, and they split their first two games in the ASUN. The Royals fell behind early in their conference opener at home against Austin Peay, trailing most of the contest and by double figures for the majority of the game. They would make a late comeback and pull out the win, 81-77. In their first road test in the ASUN, Queens lost at Eastern Kentucky, 88-83.
This week: 1/5 at Bellarmine, 1/7 vs Kennesaw State
8. North Alabama #287 (9-6, 1-1)
2
Two four point decisions for the Lions to open conference play. They came out on the good side with a conference opening win at Jacksonville State before slipping against Bellarmine.
This week: 1/5 at Lipscomb, 1/7 vs Stetson
9. Bellarmine #268 (6-9, 1-1)
3
The Knights took it on the chin at home against Liberty, but they bounced back nicely by knocking off North Alabama. The Lions were previously one of the hottest teams in the conference. Bellarmine will want to prove they belong in the top half of the ASUN again this season.
This week: 1/5 vs Queens, 1/7 at Jacksonville State
10. North Florida #239 (6-8, 1-1)
no change
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, don’t pay any attention to North Florida’s non-conference record. Regardless of how bad it looks, they always are a tough out during conference play. That proved to be the case again during the first weekend of ASUN play, as the Ospreys knocked off Austin Peay in overtime before succumbing to Stetson in a six point loss.
This week: 1/5 vs Kennesaw State, 1/7 at FGCU
11. Lipscomb #223 (8-7, 0-2)
4
The Bisons were outlasted by Stetson in overtime to open conference play. Then, with head coach Lennie Acuff remaining in Nashville due to a non-COVID illness, Lipscomb had a tough time finding any consistency on offense, falling at Liberty, 77-48.
This week: 1/5 vs North Alabama, 1/7 at Jacksonville
12. Jacksonville State #252 (7-8, 0-2)
3
Jacksonville State came up just short in their first game in the ASUN this season, falling against North Alabama, 66-62. They then struggled at Jacksonville, falling by 16. The Gamecocks return to Liberty Arena Thursday, the site of where they upset the Flames a year ago to turn heads across the conference.
This week: 1/5 at Liberty, 1/7 vs Bellarmine
13. Austin Peay #244 (6-9, 0-2)
no change
It was a challenging first week in the ASUN for the Governors, dropping two games by a combined 9 points. Austin Peay lost their conference opener at Queens, 81-77, after leading the majority of the game, including a large portion by double digits. Peay was unable to hang on to the lead, losing to the Division I newcomer. On Saturday, Austin Peay fell in overtime at North Florida, 90-85.
This week: 1/5 vs FGCU, 1/7 vs Central Arkansas
14. Central Arkansas #326 (5-10, 0-2)
no change
It’s tough to get out of the basement without a win, but the Bears were nearly able to escape it. After losing to Kennesaw State, 82-66, Central Arkansas appeared to have FGCU beaten. That was until a last second four-point play sent the game to overtime, and UCA would falter there. They did prove that they won’t be an easy out any night.
This week: 1/5 vs Eastern Kentucky, 1/7 at Austin Peay
