By Brenda June Temple

1/9/2024

WCU advanced to 8th in the Mid-Major poll, up to No. 5 in Cinderella Top 25

Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina men’s basketball is among the Top 10 in both of the nation’s top two mid-major polls this week, advancing to No. 8 in the Mid-Major Top 25 from CollegeInsider.com while climbing to a season-best fifth-place ranking in the Field of 68 Media Network’s Cinderella Top 25 as released by both groups.

The Catamounts went 2-0 last week in Southern Conference play with a pair of wins over Palmetto State canines, downing The Citadel Bulldogs 80-71 in Charleston, S.C., before holding off a second-half rally by the Wofford Terriers for a 70-66 win at home. WCU climbed two spots to No. 8 in the Mid-Major Top 25 and advanced six spots into fifth from 11th in the last Cinderella Top 25 poll published back on Dec. 26.

WCU’s current No. 8 ranking in the Men’s Mid Major Top 25 (www.midmajortop25.com) is its season high and the Catamounts previously made it up to No. 7 in the Field of 68 media poll released through its Twitter X feed.

The Catamounts are among three Southern Conference teams in the latest CollegeInsider.com rankings this week. WCU leads the way at No. 8 in the poll, followed by Samford, which is riding a 13-game winning streak – tied for the second-longest active in the NCAA at present – at No. 11. UNCG has slipped to No. 20 in the Mid-Major Top 25. Both WCU (5) and Samford (7) are among the Top 10 in the Cinderella Top 25 poll this week. Two of WCU’s opponents are also among the poll with McNeese (7) and High Point (12) in the Mid-Major Top 25.

The Mid-Major Top 25 by CollegeInsider.com is in its 25th season of existence and is comprised of teams from the following conferences: America East, ASUN, Big Sky, Big South, Coastal Athletic Association (CAA), Conference USA, Horizon, Independents, Ivy League, Metro Atlantic (MAAC), Mid-American (MAC), Missouri Valley, Northeast (NEC), Ohio Valley (OVC), Patriot, Southern (SoCon), Southwestern (SWAC), Summit, Sun Belt, West Coast (WCC) and the Western Athletic (WAC). Each week, a voting panel of 31 coaches selects its weekly rankings.

WCU’s next home game is a nationally-televised match-up against current league co-leader Samford on Tuesday, Jan. 16, with a special 6 p.m. start on the CBS Sports Network (check local listings – DIRECTV Ch. 221; Dish Ch. 158). WCU will celebrate former Catamount Ronnie Carr, who made the first 3-pointer in college basketball history back in November 1980, with a special halftime ceremony.

Keep track of everything related to Catamount men’s basketball and WCU Athletics through our social media outlets on Facebook (fb.com/catamountsports), Instagram (@catamountmbb @wcu_catamounts), and Twitter (@CatamountMBB @catamounts).

COURTESY WESTERN CAROLINA ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS