Spring Arbor, Michigan– The Spring Arbor University men’s basketball team is now ranked 23rd in the country. The NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball Coaches’ Poll was released by the national office on Tuesday.
SAU is having one of their best seasons in recent memory. They stand at 10-1 on the season and are now 2-0 in Crossroads League play. Head Coach, Ryan Cottingham, has directed his program to a nine-game winning streak. That matches the program’s all-time record, and it is currently tied for the longest active streak in the country.
SAU’s most recent win came against Grace College. The Lancers gave Spring Arbor a run for their money- taking them to the wire in a 76-73 contest. On the 20th the Cougs bested 16th ranked University of Saint Francis (Ind.). The final tally was a blowout. Spring Arbor University won in decided fashion, 82-67. It was also the programs Crossroads League play opener.
If their record isn’t impressive enough, take the fact that their one loss is to one of the best teams in the country. 7th ranked (at the time) Cornerstone University defeated the Cougars by a slim eight point margin.
The team is shooting over 50% from the floor and is hitting three-point buckets at an astounding 41.3% clip. These are good for 10th and 13th in the nation respectively. Their 911 points also puts them at 12th in scoring offense in the country.
Paul Marandet has led the team on offense this season, scoring an impressive 16.0 points per game. Brandon Durnell, Tom Hamilton, Luke Barber, Nick Welch and Jeff Beckman have also been critical to the team’s winning ways. Durnell has added an impressive 14.9 points per game. Hamilton and Barber have combined for 23 points per game from the floor. They are good for 11.6 and 11.5 respectively. Nick Welch has also added just over ten points per game for The Cougars (10.2). Jeff Beckman has been one of the league’s top rebounders, grabbing 8.5 rebounds per game.
Cottingham is in his 20th season as the head coach of the Spring Arbor University men’s basketball program. He has to be terribly happy with the success the program has seen so far this year.
Their next game will be at league rival Taylor University on Saturday the 1st. You can purchase tickets at the Field House prior to tip off. The contest will begin at 3pm.
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