CHICAGO, Ill. -- North Park Men's Basketball debuted in the D3Hoops.com National Top 25, receiving a pair of votes in Monday's Week 9 poll. Illinois Wesleyan was ranked second in the poll, receiving three votes for number one, as the only other College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) team represented.
In league action, North Park has plenty of players emerging among the best.
Senior guard Rico Powell has the sixth-best scoring average (16.6 PPG), his 79 rebounds are second-best, and his 7.2 rebounds per game rank third. He's also fifth in free-throw percentage (86.4, 38-44) and fourth in 3pt field-goal percentage (43.9, 29-66). His ability to dispossess his opponents shines the brightest, though, as 26 steals ranks in the top spot, alongside his 2.4 steals per game.
Sophomore forward DJ Wallace is shooting 65.9% from the field, making 29 of 44 shots in his 11 games played to lead the league in field-goal percentage.
Senior forward Taijon Barry also cracks the top 10, shooting 53% (44-83) in league games. Barry is also third in blocked shots (13) and blocks per game (1.2).
Senior guard Lance Nelson's 38 assists are second in the league, and he's tied for second with 3.5 assists per game.
D3Hoops.com Week 9 National Top 25 Poll
Dropped out: No. 23 John Carroll; No. 25 Virginia Wesleyan.
Others receiving votes: Trinity (Texas) 41; Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 24; Virginia Wesleyan 21; John Carroll 20; Gustavus Adolphus 16; Roanoke 14; Stevens 10; Catholic 10; RPI 9; Guilford 8; Belhaven 7; Drew 4; Nebraska Wesleyan 4; Hamilton 2; North Park 2; Pitt-Bradford 2; Gettysburg 1; Stockton 1.
The D3hoops.com Top 25 is voted on by a panel of 25 coaches, Sports Information Directors and media members from across the country, and is published weekly. Points are awarded on a 25-24-23-22-etc. basis.
Looking Ahead
The Vikings (14-6, 9-2) are hoping to chase down the Titans (18-2, 10-1) and reach CCIW championship status once more. Including that game against the Titans on Feb. 19 to conclude the regular season, North Park has five games remaining. Next up is a home contest against the Wheaton Thunder (3-16, 0-10) on Wednesday, Feb. 5.
