College Basketball Region Power Rankings: SMU Upsets No. 21 UConn
By Colin Rose
Nov 15, 2013; Austin, TX, USA; Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks guard
Desmond Haymon(25) shoots for three against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at the Frank Erwin Special Events Center. Texas beat Stephen F. Austin 72-62. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
5. Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (25-2, 14-0 Southland)
I’m starting to sound like a broken record when I talk but this team, but the Lumberjacks just refuses to lose. They have now won 22 games in row and are whipping conference foes by nearly 14 points per game. Their only losses were on the road in November to Texas and somehow East Tennessee State. The Jacks are now ranked 70th in the RPI, which is ahead of teams like Maryland and Marquette. Would they actually beat these squads? Probably not, but it’s tough to discount any team that wins this much. Their most recent victory, a 70-68 thriller over Northwestern State, might be one of the best finishes this season so far, too.
Holy cow, indeed. Jacob Parker‘s steal and walk-off dunk also extended Stephen F. Austin’s winning streak at home to a remarkable 31 games. They obviously still have to win their conference tournament to make the Big Dance, but I’ll be shocked if their name isn’t on my bracket come March.
Up Next: 2/27 @New Orleans, 3/1 @SE Louisiana