ROLLA, Mo. -- The Ouachita Baptist University men's basketball team entered the National Association of Basketball Coaches Top 25 rankings, landing in the final spot at No. 25 in Tuesday's national poll. It marks the Tigers' first appearance in the Top 25 rankings since 2009 and solidifies a historic start to the 2025-26 season.

Ouachita improved to 14-3 overall and 10-1 in Great American Conference play following a wire-to-wire blowout victory last Thursday over cross-street rival Henderson State. Two of Ouachita's three losses have come against nationally ranked opponents. The Tigers also boast a 9-1 home record inside Bill Vining Arena.

15-year Head Coach Dennis Nutt acknowledged the national recognition but kept the focus on opportunities that lie ahead. The latest poll simply provides a snapshot of where the Tigers are at the end of January, but there are still 11 more opportunities to put Ouachita in the best position possible to clinch a playoff berth.

"Defensively, we have been pretty solid all year," Nutt said. "We haven't been perfect, but hopefully we can continue to build on what we have started."

The Tigers' scorching start can be credited to its pace and space style of play, complemented by a disruptive defensive identity that overwhelms opponents. Ouachita ranks third nationally in scoring defense, allowing opponents to score just 60.3 points per game. The Tigers limit opponents to just 38% shooting from the floor and 28% from three-point range, which both rank inside the top 10 nationally among Division II programs.

Ouachita leads the GAC in scoring margin (15.6) and fast-break points (17.2), while shooting a league-best 35% as a team from beyond the arc. The Tigers are led offensively by senior guard Devon Hancock averaging 17.5 points per game through 17 contests, third best in the conference. 

Junior Christian Parks has made an immediate impact in his debut season with the Tigers, earning a pair of weekly honors, while leading the GAC with 42 blocked shots. Freshman Jaxon Conley has also been a disruptive force on the perimeter, leading the league with 42 steals. As a team, Ouachita tops the GAC in scoring defense, defensive field goal percentage, defensive three-point percentage, blocks per game and steals per game.

The Tigers continue GAC play with a road swing in Oklahoma, opening with a game at Southeastern Oklahoma State on Thursday. Tip-off for the men's game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.