UNI Moves Closer To Top 10 In National Polls; Iowa State Remains No. 14

The best start in program history has put the UNI men's basketball team on the brink of a top 10 ranking in both national polls, which were released on Monday (February 16, 2015).

The Panthers moved up two spots in this week's Associated Press survey, climbing from No. 13 to No. 11. They also jumped one spot in the USA Today coaches poll, going from No. 12 to No. 11 following Wednesday night's 83-64 home victory over Illinois State and Sunday afternoon's 68-57 win at Missouri State.

With a 24-2 overall record, UNI is off to its best start ever to a season. A 13-1 start in Missouri Valley Conference play equals the best mark ever for the Panthers in the league after 14 games.

UNI’s 13-game win streak is tied for the fourth-longest current streak in the nation. Sunday's victory at Missouri State was the Panthers' 11th on the road or at a neutral site this season, which ranks as the second-highest total in the country.

The No. 11 ranking in both polls is the highest ever for the Panthers. As of Monday, only two teams in the nation have better overall records than UNI -- No. 1 Kentucky (25-0) and third-ranked Gonzaga (26-1).

There was no change for Iowa State (18-6, 8-4 Big 12) in this week's polls. The Cyclones are ranked No 14 in the Associated Press and USA Today coaches surveys.

Iowa State and UNI are both scheduled to be in action again Wednesday night on the road. The Cyclones play at No. 22 Oklahoma State, while the Panthers face Loyola in Chicago.

The top 25 teams in The Associated Press' college basketball poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, records through Feb. 15, total points based on 25 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 25th-place vote and last week's ranking:

Others receiving votes: Texas 70, San Diego State. 64, Providence 44, Murray State. 38, Temple 28, Georgetown 23, Michigan State. 17, Dayton 10, Texas A&M 8, Valparaiso 8, Indiana 7.