Pikeville Garners Votes in Latest NAIA Coaches' Poll

1. Grace (Ind.)

Notes: Grace (Ind.) stormed out to an unbeaten start behind one of the most efficient offenses in the NAIA. The Lancers are averaging over 98 points per game while shooting better than 55% from the field and boasting a +25 scoring margin. Their balance stands out even more — Grace is rebounding at a +10 clip per night, blocking shots at an elite rate, and moving the ball with 23 assists per game against limited turnovers, a profile that mirrors the program's trademark blend of pace, size, and discipline. 

2. Arizona Christian

Notes: Arizona Christian has gotten out of the gate hot, holding a 9-1 overall record and remaining undefeated (2-0) in conference play so far. They average 80.8 points per game, while limiting opponents to 68.9 PPG, giving them a solid +11.9 scoring margin. The Firestorm shoots well from the field (49.2%) and knocks down 36.5% of their threes, showing a capable mix of inside scoring and perimeter threat. They also control the glass, averaging 37.0 rebounds per game against just 29.7 for their opponents, helping them sustain extra possessions and defensive toughness. Defensively, they're active, averaging 10 steals per game, and making life difficult for opponents

3. Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.)

Notes: Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) has started the 2025-26 season with strong form, sitting at 6– 1 while averaging 86.4 points per game and holding opponents to just 61.1 points, for a commanding +25.3 scoring margin. They shoot efficiently — nearly 50% from the floor, while hitting about 30% of their threes and converting 69.5% from the line. On the boards, they outrebound opponents by roughly 2.0 rebounds per game, compared to 36.0, and are active in both transition and defense, averaging 11 steals and 4.3 blocks per game. They take care of the basketball, with 12.3 assists versus 12.9 turnovers per game; yet, they dominate the turnover battle thanks to their defense converting steals into points.

4. Montana Tech

Notes: Montana Tech has come out of the gate firing on all cylinders: the Orediggers are 8–0 overall, 2–0 in Frontier Conference play, and have climbed to No. 6 in the NAIA Coaches' Top 25. Their offense has been both efficient and explosive, ranking among the NAIA's best — they shoot 55.6% from the field, are among the national leaders in limiting turnovers (just 9.6 TO/game), and stroke the ball from deep with a 41.9% 3-point rate. On any given night, Montana Tech shows balanced scoring. Senior forward Hayden Diekhans leads the way at 16.6 PPG, but junior guard Brayden Koch is close behind at 15.8 PPG, and Karson Peffer contributes nearly 9 PPG as well. Diekhans has also grabbed double-digit rebounds in recent games (e.g., 11 vs. Mayville State) and routinely plays 30+ minutes — anchoring both the offense and the defense on the glass.

5. Langston (Okla.)

Notes: Langston (Okla.) has opened the 2025-26 season at 4-1, averaging 76.8 points per game while holding opponents to 62.8, for a solid +14.0 scoring margin. They're shooting 47.1% from the field, converting 73.1% of their free throws, but are struggling a bit from range at just 27.9% on threes. On the boards, they're doing well with a +6.6 rebound margin (35.4 RPG vs. 28.8), and they're active defensively — averaging 9.6 steals per game, which is helping them turn defense into offense (Langston scores over 21 points off turnovers on average). Individually, guard Omar Henry is pacing the Lions with 14.4 PPG, followed by Orlando Thomas at 13.8 PPG and Marcedus Leech at 11.0 PPG. Their assist-to-turnover numbers (9.0 assists to 16 turnovers per game) suggest they're still ironing out some ball-handling consistency, but the defensive activity and rebounding help compensate.

6. Indiana Wesleyan

Notes: Indiana Wesleyan (Ind.) has navigated a tough early stretch, opening 7–1, sliding to No. 6 in the latest NAIA Men's Basketball Coaches' Poll after a narrow stumble last week. On the floor, IWU continues to grade out as one of the nation's most efficient teams, averaging mid-80s scoring with strong shooting numbers across the board and a double-digit rebounding margin that consistently tilts games in their favor this season. Caedmon Bontrager has led the charge with a near-20-point scoring clip, giving the Wildcats a reliable interior anchor, while Millen McCartney and Julius Gizzi have provided steady perimeter production. Even with the poll drop, IWU's statistical profile still looks like a top-tier contender — balanced, physical, unselfish, and operating at a level that suggests they remain firmly in the national-title conversation as long as they continue to clean up turnovers and close out tight games.

7. Life (Ga.)

Notes: Life (Ga.), sitting 7–0 and averaging 82.3 points per game while allowing 70.4, a +11.9 scoring margin that's come from efficient offense and clean ball-movement. The Running Eagles are shooting 48.4% from the floor (35.7% from three) and hitting 73.5% of free throws, while piling up 20.6 assists to 12.4 turnovers per game and converting about 19 points off turnovers — a sign they turn defense into easy offense. Life's production has been balanced: Shane Stevensen, Calvin Payton, and Maurice Wright are among the statistical leaders this season, and the team's 7 wins (listed on the 2025-26 schedule) include quality early non-conference results that underline their fast start.

8. Ave Maria (Fla.)

Notes: Ave Maria (Fla.) is putting up an impressive 92.3 points per game, ranking 10th nationally, while holding opponents to 79.4 PPG. The Gyrenes are efficient from the floor at 48.7% overall and 36.9% from three, and they're controlling the glass with 41.4 total rebounds per game, a +6.9 rebounding margin. Their offensive balance is evident, with 14.3 assists per game, complemented by 12.9 turnovers. Defensively, they force 14.3 turnovers and block 4.8 shots per game, ranking 13th nationally in blocks. Ave Maria's scoring attack spreads deep — they average 10 made three-pointers per game and draw fouls at a rate that leads to 15.1 made free throws per game, although their free-throw percentage sits at 69.7%. The Gyrenes also generate value in transition and secondary chances, ranking 26th nationally in offensive efficiency (1.170) and posting a net efficiency of +0.183.

9. Cumberlands (Ky.)

Notes: Cumberlands (Ky.) has gotten off to a strong start, posting a 9‑0 record and averaging 91.4 points per game (12th nationally) while holding opponents to 73.1 PPG. The team shoots efficiently at 47.5% from the floor and 37.1% from three, pairing that with solid rebounding numbers — 40.8 total rebounds per game and a +10.3 rebound margin, both ranking among the nation's best. Their offense moves the ball well, generating 16.1 assists per game while limiting turnovers to 10.9 per game. Defensively, the Patriots force 12.1 turnovers and block 4.1 shots per game. The Cumberlands' attack is versatile — they connect on nearly 11 three-pointers per game, get to the line effectively with 15.4 free throws made per game, and maintain an offensive efficiency rating of 1.172 and a net efficiency of +0.230, both of which place them in the upper tier nationally. Combined with a stingy defense that holds opponents to 41.9% FG and just 27.8% from three, the Patriots have established themselves as one of the NAIA's most balanced and efficient teams through the early portion of the season.

10. Oklahoma Wesleyan

Notes: Oklahoma Wesleyan is off to a 7–0 start, putting up 79.9 points per game while holding opponents to 70.1 PPG. The Eagles shoot efficiently at 45.4% from the field and 34.1% from three, while controlling the glass with 37.1 total rebounds per game and a +6.0 rebounding margin. Their offense shares the ball well, averaging 15.9 assists per game, and they force opponents into 19.4 turnovers per game, ranking 8th nationally in defensive pressure. Oklahoma Wesleyan excels in creating extra possessions, generating 11.9 steals per game (top-10 nationally) and ranking 50th in net efficiency at +0.143. They get to the line consistently with 12.9 made free throws per game, but could improve at the stripe, shooting 61.2% overall. While blocks are limited at 2.1 per game, their defensive effort is evident in holding opponents to 43.9% FG and 32.9% from three. Balanced scoring, strong perimeter defense, and active hands in passing lanes have helped the Eagles dominate early-season opponents and position themselves as a contender in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference.