The winds of change swept through Week 5 of Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab with a tornadic force, as three new teams entered the mix and a new team occupies the pole position.
5. Tennessee State Tigers (9-4)
After being unranked the previous week, Tennessee State enters the polls at No. 5. The Tigers split their games last week, surprisingly falling 90-85 to Tennessee Tech, but rebounded with a 77-68 win over Eastern Illinois. Tennessee State is currently tied for second place in the Ohio Valley Conference, trailing UT Martin by one game.
4. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Golden Lions (6-3)
The Golden Lions of UAPB enter the rankings at No.4 after being outside of the top 5 the previous week. Winners of their last three contests, the Golden Lions have ascended to second in the SWAC, trailing Bethune-Cookman by 2 games.
3. Morgan State Bears (5-2)
Morgan State is the third team that was outside the top the week before to enter the Week 5 polls. The Bears burst onto the rankings on the strength of a five-game winning streak, which has placed them currently atop the MEAC standings
2. North Carolina Central Eagles (4-1)
The Eagles of North Carolina Central are the first holdover from last week’s polls, jumping up three spots in the rankings. N.C.Central defeated then MEAC leader Morgan State 65-63 in a matchup that came down to the last possession of the contest.
1. Bethune-Cookman Wildcats ( 8-1)
Bethune-Cookman ascends to the top of Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Major Division Top 5, after being ranked No.2 the previous week. The Wildcats are the hottest team in the SWAC, not having tasted defeat since a 77-73 loss to Southern on January 12. BCU currently sits atop the SWAC and is also the only team in the league with an overall winning record at 12-11.
Dropped out: Jackson State Tigers (5-4) Florida A&M Rattlers (5-4) UMES Hawks (4-3)
Receiving votes: UMES Hawks (4-3) -49 Alabama A&M Bulldogs (5-4) -39 Southern Jaguars (5-4) -30 Jackson State Tigers (5-4) -26 Florida A&M Rattlers ( 5-4) -21
