INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (February 9, 2011) – The Stevens Institute of Technology men’s basketball team jumped two spots to No. 4 in the East Region as the NCAA released its latest Division III Men’s Basketball Regional Rankings on Wednesday evening. The Ducks are 15-5 overall and 15-5 in-region as they head into a critical weekend with two Empire 8 home games against Nazareth College and Rochester Institute of Technology.
Currently, SUNY Oswego (16-3) is first in the region, the University of Rochester (16-4) is second, and Hobart College (16-4) is third. Stevens is followed by Empire 8 rival Ithaca College (15-5) in fifth and SUNY Plattsburgh (14-6) in sixth.
The national office released its latest statistical rankings on Wednesday as well and the Ducks continue to be featured. They are currently fourth overall in field-goal percentage defense, holding opponents to just 37.8 percent from the field. Stevens is seventh in rebound margin, averaging 9.1 more rebounds per game than its opposition. The Ducks are 23rd in field-goal percentage (48.6 percent), 37th in three-point field-goal percentage defense (30.0 percent), and 48th in won-lost percentage (75.0 percent).
Individually, junior forward Simon Smith is eighth in the nation in rebounding, grabbing 12.2 boards per game, and 10th in field-goal percentage (63.3 percent). Smith is 11th in the nation in double-doubles with 12.