ROLLA, Mo. — The Ouachita Baptist University men's basketball team climbed five spots to No. 20 in Tuesday's National Association of Basketball Coaches Top 25 poll.
After debuting at No. 25, the rise in the latest poll marks Ouachita's highest national ranking since late 2008 and establishes a historic start to the 2025-26 campaign. The Tigers improved to 16-3 overall and 12-1 in Great American Conference play following a road trip to Oklahoma, leaving with commanding victories at Southeastern Oklahoma State and East Central.
Ouachita leads the GAC in scoring margin (15.2) and fast break points (15.6), thriving in a pace-and-space system that turns defensive stops into instant scoring opportunities. As a team, the Tigers shoot a league-best 35% from 3-point range. Senior Devon Hancock ranks third in the league with 41 made threes, while averaging 17.2 points through 19 games.
Ouachita ranks second nationally in scoring defense, imposing a suffocating defensive identity that holds opponents to just 60.2 points per game. The Tigers limit opponents to shooting 38% from the floor and below 28% from beyond the arc, which both lead the GAC and rank inside the top five among Division II programs. Ouachita also leads the GAC in blocks and steals, enforced by junior Christian Parks with 49 blocked shots, which ranks ninth among D2 players.
Bill Vining Arena has become a fortress in Arkadelphia, where the Tigers own a 9-1 home record this season. Ouachita hosts Southwestern Oklahoma State on Thursday, with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
