Augusta, GA—The Augusta State men’s basketball squad made the biggest jump and moved into #4 in the NCAA Division II South Atlantic Regional ranking, in the most recent poll released Wednesday (January 9). The poll includes games through Sunday, January 6. They had previously been ranked 10th.
Wingate (12-2) moved into the top position, replacing St. Augustine’s (7-0) who dropped to second. Shaw (9-1) is one slot in front of ASU, while the only other Peach Belt team, Columbus State (7-2), rounds out the top five. The Jaguars lost to Columbus State Monday night 61-52.
Prior to ASU’s loss to the Cougars, they had won three straight with wins over non-conference foes Anderson (87-72) and Saint Leo (82-65) and a 77-73 overtime victory at Georgia College & State.
The eight regional rankings are released weekly on Wednesdays through February 27, 2002. The regional polls determine who receives at-large bids to the NCAA Division II Tournament in March 2002.
The Jaguars travel to Kennesaw State to take on the Owls in a Peach Belt match-up tonight at 7:30 pm.
South Atlantic Region Men’s Basketball Poll (Through Jan. 6)
| RANK | TEAM | RECORD | PREVIOUS |
| 1 | Wingate | 12-2 | 2 |
| 2 | St. Augustine | 7-0 | 1 |
| 3 | Shaw | 9-1 | 5 |
| 4 | Augusta State | 7-2 | 10 |
| 5 | Columbus State | 7-2 | 9 |
| 6 | Winston-Salem | 9-2 | 3 |
| 7 | Fayetteville State | 5-3 | 8 |
| 8 | Johnson C. Smith | 9-3 | 4 |
| 9 | Bowie State | 8-3 | NR |
| 10 | Carson Newman | 7-4 | NR |