Rankings
INDIANAPOLIS- As the West Chester University men's basketball team (21-5, 16-3) continues its preparations for an important PSAC East clash against Millersville (17-9, 13-6) on Wednesday night in Hollinger, the Golden Rams were ranked fifth in the first numbered Atlantic Regional Rankings of the year.
Today's rankings are the second of three due to be released by the Division II Men's Basketball Committee; after appearing among the 10 teams under consideration for formal ranking last week, the Golden Rams debut in fifth this week after a 2-0 effort a week ago, which saw the team dispatch East Stroudsburg on Wednesday night and Bloomsburg on Saturday.
A third and final ranking will be released on Wednesday, March 5, ahead of the Selection Show on Sunday, March 9.
West Chester was one of four PSAC teams to appear in the rankings, as Gannon was ranked second, East Stroudsburg fourth, and California eighth as the final team into the field if selections were made today.
West Liberty (MEC) was ranked first in the region, followed by Gannon, Fayetteville State (CIAA) in third, ESU in fourth, and WCU in fifth to round out the top five. Virginia State (CIAA) was ranked sixth, followed by Fairmont State (MEC) in seventh, Cal in eighth, Concord (MEC) in ninth, and Claflin (CIAA) in 10th to round out the rankings.
After exacting revenge for an early season loss at ESU on Wednesday night, West Chester will look to complete an unbeaten home regular season this evening against Millersville, as the Marauders are one of a handful of teams to beat the Golden Rams this season. A league opponent has not swept West Chester yet this season and Millersville remains the only other team with an opportunity to do so.
West Chester's 17-game home winning streak, which dates back to February 2024, is the best in the PSAC and fourth-longest in Division II men's basketball. The Golden Rams are also closing in on the program record for most wins in a single season (23). West Chester has won 23 games in a single season twice, with the last such occasion being in 2015-16.
Following tonight's game, West Chester will head to Kutztown on Saturday for its regular-season finale against the Golden Bears beginning at 3 p.m.
