Rush extend poll streak -- it's the longest in NAIA D-I

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana is 25th in the NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25  announced Tuesday.

The Gold Rush (7-3) are in the top 25 for the 26th consecutive time -- that's the longest active streak in this division -- and the 39th time in the last 40 polls. This is the first poll of the regular season; Xavier ranked 19th in the preseason.

Xavier's most notable victory this season was 90-80 in overtime at home against then-10th-ranked William Carey one week ago. The Gold Rush erased a 16-point second-half deficit to give the Crusaders their first loss of the season.

For the first time since Feb. 15, 2010, there are three Gulf Coast Athletic Conference teams in the top 25. Talladega (11th) and Philander Smith (14th) joined Xavier in the rankings. It's the first time since Jan. 25, 2010, that the GCAC has two teams in the top 14.

Columbia (Mo.) climbed from No. 4 to No. 1 after receiving 8-of-10 first-place votes.

Xavier will conclude final exams of the fall semester on Friday, then play three road games before Christmas -- 4 p.m. Saturday at city rival Loyola, Dec. 17 at Spring Hill and Dec. 19 at 17th-ranked Faulkner. The XU men will play six straight on the road before their next home game at 5 p.m. on Jan. 11 against GCAC and city rival SUNO, which received votes in this week's poll and is 31st.

The next top 25 will be announced Jan. 7.

The top 25:

1. Columbia (Mo.)
2. Georgetown (Ky.)
3. (tie) Pikeville
3. (tie) Southwestern Assemblies of God
5. Evangel
6. Arizona Christian
7. John Brown
8. Cal State San Marcos
9. William Carey
10. Rocky Mountain
11. Talladega
12. Concordia (Calif.)
13. Benedictine (Kan.)
14. Philander Smith
15. Freed-Hardeman
16. Montana State Northern
17. Faulkner
18. Culver-Stockton
19. St. Gregory's
20. (tie) Life
20. (tie) Wiley
22. Hope International
23. Cumberland
24. Martin Methodist
25. Xavier

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA