SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – The CSUSB Yotes are ranked number three in the latest National Basketball Coaches Association Top-25, released Tuesday.
 
The Yotes are 14-1, have won eight-straight games, and are the top-ranked team in the West Region.  Their path to the CCAA Championship and a shot to host the West Region Championship is within their own control after their 74-64 overtime win over No. 4 CSU San Marcos last Saturday.
 
The No. 3 ranking marks the second-highest in program history, as the program was ranked No. 2 in the spring of 2008.
 
The 2022 team is led by CCAA Player of the Year front runner Brandon Knapper, who leads the conference and is 22^nd in the nation at 21.4 points per game.  He is flanked by Daytone Jennings who leads the conference at 10.3 rebounds per game, 16^th in the nation, and nine double-doubles, first in the CCAA and ninth nationally.
 
"I'm just really proud of where our players have taken this program," head coach Andy Newman said.  "Two years ago, the pandemic took away our chance to play in the NCAA Tournament and then last year it took the entire season away. Our student-athletes, coaches, and administration stayed focused, kept working, and here we are number three in the country. It is really a testament to seeing the big picture and being able to stay consistent with our work ethic through uncertain times. This team is really fun to watch and can really score!!! They have bought in to playing together and making plays for their teammates and it shows. I'm really having a great time watching these guys play right now and reaping the benefits of their hard work over the past year and a half."
 
As a team the Yotes are conference leaders in assists per game (16.7), field goal percentage (49.3), rebound margin (10.6), scoring margin (15.3), and scoring offense (88.6). Scoring offense and rebound margin are both top-10 nationally.
 
The Yotes are home this week against Cal State East Bay on Thursday and Cal State Dominguez Hills on Saturday.  Indoor competitions are closed to the general public and only those on a guest list will be admitted inside Coussoulis Arena but the games will be live on the CCAANetwork.com for just $9.95 per month.