LANSING, Mich.- The Great Lakes Christian College Men's Basketball Program made history again today as the Crusaders found out they earned #1 ranking overall in the NCCAA DII. The NCCAA Top 10 Rankings are developed by the National Sport Chair and Regional Sport Chairs who represent each region. Regional Sport Chairs develop a ranking for their region. Based on each regional ranking, Regional Sport Chairs then rank teams on a national level. The National Sport Chair then compiles the national ranking based on points from each team's ranking on the Regional Sport Chairs' national ballots.
The Crusaders have been ranked for nine consecutive polls. Last season the Men's Basketball team received their first national ranking being ranked #3 for the entire regular season, before receiving a #2 ranking after the National Tournament. In the first poll of the season this year the Crusaders were ranked #4 in the country. The Crusaders saw big jump in the polls after defeating then #1 Grace Christian University on December 4th at Little Caesars Arena.
NCCAA DII Poll:
Names: Points Previous Rank
- Great Lakes Christian College (78) 4
- Randall University (OK) (73) 2
- Grace Christian University (MI) (63) 1
- Johnson University (TN) (57) 3
- Bob Jones University (SC) (49) 5
- Champion Christian (AK) (40) 6
- Central Christian College of the Bible (28) 7
- Barclay College (KS) (22) RV
- Calvary University (MO) (16) RV
- Kansas Christian College (10) 8
What Coach Says: "Obviously this is a big day for our program. I am thrilled for our guys. I am so proud of them. They have worked hard for this. I am also excited for our college, our alumni, and fans. We could not do it without them. I am thankful for my administration who have supported our guys and allow us the opportunity to represent our college. This is a big deal, and to see this ignite our college and alumni is really exciting." On what's next, "Obviously it is awesome to be ranked #1 and it is a tremendous honor, but with being ranked number one we cannot be content. We have to keep changing our best. The team we are today is not the team we need to be in order to complete goals we set for ourselves this season. There is a lot more work to be done, and I am excited to continue to embrace the process with this group of guys. Our best basketball is ahead of us."