Weekly Release No. 6 - Southern Arkansas and Arkansas Tech

CLEVELAND - The Statesmen (18-5, 8-2 GSC) of Delta State University moved into the nation's top 25 this week at No. 24 in the National Association of Basketball Coaches Division II Top 25 Poll after defeating then-No. 8 Christian Brothers 66-54 on Saturday at Walter Sillers Coliseum. The victory was the seventh straight for the green-and-white in conference play, placing then in a tie with CBU. 

This week the Statesmen will put their national and regional rankings on the line with a pair of GSC games. Thursday, Feb. 19 Delta State will return to action, as they play host to Southern Arkansas (10-12, 4-6 GSCW) before traveling to Arkansas Tech (16-7, 6-4 GSCW) on Saturday, Feb. 21. 

Both games will have a major impact on regional and conference standings. A pair of wins will seal a berth in the upcoming GSC Tournament March 3-8 in Southaven. 

In region ranking news, the Statesmen climbed one spot to No. 5 in the latest NCAA South Region Poll released on Wednesday.  The complete rankings are listed below.  

NCAA SOUTH REGION RANKINGS

As of Feb. 18, 2009 • DII records only 
1. Claflin 19-2 19-2

2. Benedict 20-4 17-3

3. Florida Southern 20-3 20-3

4. Christian Brothers 15-3 15-3

5. Delta State 14-5 14-4

6. Arkansas-Monticello 11-7 10-7

7. Rollins 14-7 13-6

8. North Alabama 12-8 11-7

9. Alabama-Huntsville 15-8 13-8

10. Valdosta State 16-5 16-5