JACKSON, Tenn. — Jan. 11, 2006 — Both of the 51社区 basketball teams moved up in the latest NAIA National Rankings released on Wednesday, Jan. 11.
The Bulldogs, after knocking off the No. 1 team on the road in Mountain State University, jumped from No. 3 to No. 1 in the men's poll for their first ever No. 1 ranking. The women jumped from No. 7 to No. 4 in the polls.
For the men, Union鈥檚 Jan. 10 loss at No. 13 Lambuth did not affect this ranking as the votes were already cast prior to Tuesday night鈥檚 contest.
Union is currently 13-2 on the season and is 9-2 versus ranked teams, 9-2 on the road this season and 4-0 at home. The Bulldogs earned the respect of the voters for playing successful basketball through one of the toughest schedules in the country as they received all 11 first place votes.
Union continues its string of playing ranked opponents as the Bulldogs host No. 16 Lindsey Wilson Jan. 14 at and then travel to No. 10 Trevecca Nazarene University to open TranSouth Conference play Jan. 19.
The Lady Bulldogs, winners of four in a row, jumped to the No. 4 spot in the national rankings. Union is among the four TranSouth teams ranked in the top seven of the NAIA, including three of the top four teams. Union's only three losses came to teams currently ranked in the top 14 of the NAIA.
The Lady Bulldogs travel to national tournament regular Campbellsville Jan. 14, then to No. 3 Trevecca Jan. 19 to open TranSouth Conference play.
The next NAIA National Ranking will be released Jan. 18.