KANSAS CITY, Mo.  – The University of Arkansas at Monticello men’s basketball team jumped 10 spots to No. 13 in this week’s National Basketball Coaches Association Top 25 Poll.

UAM (8-0) also jumped North Alabama in poll, which was ranked No. 11, but fell to No. 15, making the Weevils the highest ranked team in the Gulf South Conference.

“We are in a category of teams right now that with the right breaks, we could attain our goal of advancing to the NCAA tournament and ultimately having a chance to win the national championship,” said head coach Mike Newell. “I’ve been coaching now for close to 35 years and have had been a part of several teams that have been ranked nationally. The polls are fun. It motivates players which makes each practice more and more intense.”

UAM entered the poll at No. 23 last week for the first time since the 2004-05 season. The Weevils picked up a pair of significant victories in this past weekend’s tournament at Montevallo. UAM defeated Montevallo on its own court 67-53, followed by a 65-61 victory over West Florida the following day. Those two wins, along with a 106-52 crushing of Crowley’s Ridge College at home, likely vaulted the Weevils into the top 15.

“The maturity of our team is really showing its true colors at this point,” Newell commented. “Our guys want to win and advance as far as possible. It’s now a matter of continuing the hard work and dedication.”

UAM leads a cast of four GSC schools in this week’s poll. North Alabama sits at No. 13, followed by Ouachita Baptist at No. 20 and Valdosta State at No. 24. Arkansas Tech received 11 votes.

The Weevils look to improve their ranking with a match-up with Lemoyne-Owen College this Saturday, December 13. After that game, the Weevils break for the holidays, returning to action on December 29-30 in the St. Edwards Classic.