Bulldogs crack NAIA top 25, land at No. 23

By Jacob Knabel on Dec. 15, 2021 in Men's Basketball

NAIA Men’s Basketball Coaches’ Poll (Dec. 15)

SEWARD, Neb. – Other teams in recent years were close, but the 2021-22 edition of Concordia University Men’s Basketball has broken though. For the first time since the 2010-11 season, the program has garnered a top 25 ranking in the official NAIA coaches’ poll. The Bulldogs landed at No. 23 in the poll released on Wednesday (Dec. 15) by the NAIA.

Head Coach Ben Limback has had past squads that hovered near the top 25 in the receiving votes category of the poll. The 2019-20 team that won the GPAC tournament title and qualified for the national tournament received votes to conclude the season. So too did the 2016-17 squad that finished 21-10 overall while led by Chandler Folkerts. During the GPAC era (2000-present), Concordia has been rated as high as No. 4, a ranking achieved during the 2004-05 national runner-up campaign. The 2010-11 team was ranked 20th in NAIA Division II at one point that season.

Other GPAC teams to garner votes were No. 12 Jamestown and Morningside (listed among others receiving votes). The Bulldogs are ranked second in the official conference poll.

Concordia MBB highest national ranks by season, GPAC era
2021-22 – 23rd
2019-20 – RV
2016-17 – RV
2010-11 – 20th
2009-10 – 24th
2008-09 – 17th
2005-06 – 6th
2004-05 – 4th (national runner up)
2003-04 – 7th