Tarleton has shot at No. 1 ranking after Augustana falls

Tarleton and senior forward Malcolm Hamilton could be two wins away from the top spot in the NABC Division II men's poll. || Photo by CHET MARTIN

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STEPHENVILLE (November 15, 2015) — Tarleton State could be headed to No. 1 in the National Association of Basketball Coaches NCAA Division II rankings, but there is work to be done before the next poll is released.

The first regular season poll of the season will not be released until Tuesday Nov. 24, and Tarleton State has a tough home test against Delta State (Miss.) this Wednesday at Wisdom Gym, where the Texans will also entertain Bacone (Okla.) on Saturday.

THE NABC ranked Augustana (SD) No. 1 in its preseason poll, and justifiably so. Augustana, like Tarleton, had 31 wins last season and has all five starters back from a team that reached the “Sweet 16.” Augustana even hit a buzzer beater to knock off Iowa in an exhibition, backing up its ranking.

But Augustana lost its season opener, 88-86, to Washburn (Mo.) in Las Vegas Friday, opening the door for No. 2 Tarleton. The Texans opened with two wins in its home Texan Tipoff Classic. They defeated Colorado-Colorado Springs, 75-66, on Friday, and Adams State (Colo.), 84-77, on Saturday.

Tarleton was last ranked No. 1 by the NABC in its 2005-06 preseason poll. Tarleton was ranked No. 1 three consecutive weeks from January 28-February 11 in 2003 and five straight weeks from January 13-February 17 in 2004.