INDIANA, Pa. – The IUP men’s basketball program will open the 2023-24 season with a top-five ranking, slotting at No. 4 in the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Preseason Top 25 Poll.
It marks the second preseason poll IUP was tabbed fourth in following the release of the CBB Nation Preseason Poll in mid-October. The first regular season poll will be released on Tuesday, Nov. 21.
Despite falling in the regional semifinals last year in its quest to win a fourth straight national championships, Northwest Missouri State is the pick as the top-ranked team in the 2023-24 NABC/Division II pre-season rankings.
Nova Southeastern slotted second in the poll, followed by West Liberty, IUP and Indianapolis rounding out the top five. IUP is one of only two ranked teams from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), with Mercyhurst closing out the poll at No. 25.
IUP had the second fewest number of losses last season among the 2023-24 group of ranked teams, posting a 32-2 record. Only the undefeated national champions Nova Southeastern (36-0) had a higher winning percentage.
The Hawks finished out the 2022-23 season ranked third in the final release of the NABC Top 25. Overall, IUP has been ranked in the top-10 of the NABC year-end rankings in six consecutive seasons, dating back to 2016-17.
Despite losing top-level talent from a season ago, IUP returns several impactful contributors. Headlining the returning group is senior Ethan Porterfield, the reigning two-time conference tournament MVP who ranks 17th in program history in career points (1,337), 11th in rebounding (628) and third in blocks (137).
Now in his 18th at the helm of the IUP men’s basketball program, head coach Joe Lombardi boasts an overall record of 400-108 (.787) and ranks second among active NCAA DII head coaches with at least 15 years of experience.
IUP has captured four straight PSAC Championships over the last four full playing seasons, going 123-10 over that span. The Hawks have won seven consecutive PSAC regular season championships and achieved a number one national ranking for seven weeks during the 2022-23 season.
IUP in the Top 25 – Final NABC Rankings Finish
2022-23: #3
2021-22: #3
2020-21: #4
2019-20: #6
2018-19: #2
2016-17: #8
2014-15: #25
2013-14: #15
2012-13: #10
2011-12: #10
2023-24 Schedule
IUP hosts a pair of nonconference tournaments in the opening month of the 2023-24 season at the KCAC. The Hawks play five straight at home to open the new season, beginning with consecutive matchups against Concord and Notre Dame (Ohio) on November 10 and November 11 at 7: 30 p.m.
IUP has racked up a 73-4 overall record in home games at the KCAC over the last four full playing seasons (including postseason). Single-game tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online here.
Follow
For up-to-date information, visit IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP men’s basketball on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUP_MBB.