KANSAS CITY, MO – The University of the Cumberlands men's basketball team climb in the national rankings this week, moving up to No. 6 in the latest NAIA Coaches' Top-25 Poll, released Wednesday afternoon. The Patriots jumped two spots from last poll after a pair of home victories to improve to 17-3 overall and 2-2 in Mid-South Conference play.
 
Cumberlands has been one of the most consistent teams in the NAIA this season, averaging 89.4 points per game, which ranks 10th nationally, while holding opponents to just 73.4 points per contest. The Patriots are shooting 47.3 percent from the field and 37.3 percent from beyond the arc, knocking down an average of 10.6 three-pointers per game. UC also gets to the free-throw line at a steady rate, making 15.4 free throws per game.
 
The Patriots have controlled the glass throughout the season, averaging 39.4 rebounds per game and owning a plus 6.9 rebounding margin. Defensively, Cumberlands forces 13.0 turnovers per game while averaging 7.8 steals and 4.0 blocks, limiting opponents to 42.3 percent shooting from the floor and just 28.9 percent from three-point range.
 
Individually, Kyle Duke continues to pace the offense and ranks 15th in the NAIA in scoring at 21.7 points per game. The senior guard is shooting 50.6 percent from the field, 46.0 percent from three, and 88.6 percent from the free-throw line. Andrew McConnell adds 14.4 points per game while leading the team with 57 assists, and Brant Smithers has been a consistent threat from deep, averaging 11.6 points per game on better than 40 percent shooting from three.
 
The Patriots' recent rise in the poll comes after back-to-back home wins, including a 93-75 victory over Cumberland University to earn their first MSC win of the season, followed by an 81-76 win over No. 18 Georgetown inside the O. Wayne Rollins Center. Cumberlands remains a perfect 10-0 at home this season.

UC remains one of three teams in the conference ranked in the top-25 poll, as Freed-Hardeman stays at No. 2, and Geogretown remain 18th. 
 
UC will return to the O. Wayne Rollins Center tomorrow as they host the Bethel at 7:30 PM ET. UC looks to take down the Wildcats after falling to them 80-69 back in their MSC opener. Live video for tomorrow's contest can be found here with stats here.
 
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