AUSTIN, Texas — The National Association of Basketball Coaches released its weekly NCAA Division II rankings on Monday, with St. Edward's men's basketball climbing three spots to No. 19 following last week's win over UT Dallas.
The Hilltoppers are 18–4 overall and 7–4 in conference play, posting a 3–3 record against nationally ranked opponents this season.
St. Edward's continues to set the standard in the Lone Star Conference, leading the league in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.61, fifth nationally), assists per game (16.9), field goal percentage defense (39.2%, 10th nationally), defensive rebounds per game (27.6), rebounds per game (38.3), and scoring margin (13.5).
Senior guard BLAKE NIELSEN was named LSC Offensive Player of the Week after recording a career-high 31 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists in the victory over UT Dallas. Nielsen is averaging 18.7 points per game, ranking third in the conference, and sits seventh in assists per game at 3.8.
The Hilltoppers hit the road this week for matchups at Texas A&M-Kingsville and Texas A&M International before returning to Austin for the Battle of the Saints against St. Mary's next Monday.
NABC Division II Coaches Poll (Feb. 3, 2026 – Regular Season Poll #10)
Record Points Previous
1. Washburn, Kan. (16) 22-0 400 1
2. Nova Southeastern, Fla. 17-1 383 2
3. Cal State East Bay 20-0 364 3
4. Daemen, N.Y. 22-1 346 4
5. Anderson, S.C. 19-1 333 5
6. Gannon, Pa. 19-2 321 7
7. Lubbock Christian, Texas 18-3 312 9
8. West Liberty, W.Va. 17-3 263 13
9. Fairmont State, W.Va. 16-3 236 14
10. Oklahoma Baptist 17-2 223 15
11. Eastern New Mexico 17-3 200 18
12. Palm Beach Atlantic, Fla. 18-3 198 8
13. Black Hills State, S.D. 17-3 192 19
14. Grand Valley State, Mich. 17-3 176 23
15. Walsh, Ohio 17-2 171 20
16. Northern Michigan 19-3 168 10
17. Michigan Tech 18-4 167 6
18. West Alabama 18-3 142 12
19. St. Edward's, Texas 18-4 109 22
20. Ouachita Baptist, Ark. 16-3 105 25
21. Saint Martin's, Wash. 17-4 71 11
22. Virginia Union 19-3 46 NR
23. McKendree, Ill. 17-4 45 NR
24. Missouri S&T 14-4 32 16
25. Arkansas Fort Smith 16-4 26 17
Others receiving votes: Point Loma (Calif.) 21, Southern Nazarene (Okla.) 21, St. Cloud State (Minn.) 20, Saint Anselm (N.H.) 17, Central Missouri 11, Rockhurst (Mo.) 11, Felician (N.J.) 9, Lander (S.C.) 9, Western New Mexico 9, Florida Southern 8, Fort Lewis (Colo.) 8, Fort Hays State (Kan.) 7, DBU (Texas) 5, St. Mary's (Texas) 5, UVa-Wise (Va.) 4, West Chester (Pa.) 3, West Florida 2, Cal State Dominguez Hills 1.
Dropped out: Lenoir-Rhyne (21), DBU (24).
Records are through games of Feb. 1, 2026. The next poll will be released on Tuesday, Feb. 10.
