KANSAS CITY, MO – Following one of the strongest starts in program history, the University of the Cumberlands men's basketball team has climbed to No. 3 in the latest NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll, released Wednesday afternoon. This marks the Patriots' highest national ranking since the 2012–13 season as UC sits at 13-1 on the year with one of the nation's most balanced statistical profiles.
 
Cumberlands has been dominant through the opening stretch, averaging 89.7 points per game while allowing just 71.9, a +17.9 scoring margin that ranks among the NAIA's best. The Patriots shoot 48.2 percent from the field and 38.4 percent from three, knocking down more than 10 threes per outing while averaging 15.5 made free throws per contest.
 
Defensively, the Patriots limit opponents to 41.6 percent shooting and 28.7 percent from behind the arc while recording 7.4 steals and 4.0 blocks per game. The team forces more turnovers (177) than it commits (151) and owns a 1.4 assist-to-turnover ratio.
 
Senior guard Kyle Duke continues to pace the offense at 21.5 points per game, shooting 52 percent from the floor, 46.7 percent from three, and 88.3 percent at the line. Andrew McConnell adds 12.6 points and a team-high 42 assists, while Javecckio Thomas averages 11.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and a team-best 13 blocks. Brant Smithers (10.4 ppg), Brady Bell (7.4 ppg), and Ikemba Otuonye (7.2 ppg) add depth alongside Anthony Harris (6.9 ppg) and Abraham Ibezimakor (4.7 ppg).
 
Cumberlands' depth has fueled its rise nationally, with 11 different players contributing at least one point per game. The Patriots have maintained a perfect 6-0 home record and a 5-1 mark on the road.
 
The Pats are one of three teams in the Mid-South Conference to earn a top-25 ranking. Freed-Hardeman sits one spot ahead of UC at No. 2 while the Tigers of Georgetown come in ranked 16^th in the NAIA.
 
Cumberlands (13-1) will return to the court on December 30 when they host Milligan University at 3 PM inside the O. Wayne Rollins Center for their second to last non-conference matchup of the season.
 
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