KANSAS CITY, Mo.– It took Northwood (Fla.) two regular-season polls to jump back into the No. 1 ranking. The Seahawks, who corralled 372 total points and 11 first-place votes, replace former No. 1 Indiana Wesleyan in the third edition of the 2011 – 12 NAIA Division II Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll, announced Monday by the national office. Northwood held the top spot in the Preseason Top 25, announced on Oct. 24.

Despite already suffering one loss, Northwood has been ranked No. 1 in four of the last seven polls dating back to last season. The one setback was a one-point loss at NCAA Division II Northwood (Mich.) on Nov. 14.

Improving two positions, No. 2 Dordt (Iowa) captured 359 total points and two first-place nods. Since Division II was created prior to the 1991 – 92 season, this is the highest ranking for the Defenders. Sitting at 13-0, Dordt hosts 22nd-ranked Morningside (Iowa) on Tuesday.

No. 3 Oregon Tech improves two positions with 344 points. No. 4 Davenport (Mich.) dropped one spot and fifth-ranked McPherson (Kan.) moved up two slots. The Bulldogs garnered the remaining first-place nod with a 14-1 record.

No. 11 Cardinal Stritch (Wis.) was rewarded for a Dec. 9 victory over then-No. 3 Davenport with a seven-spot jump. The Wolves currently stand at 9-2 and are riding a seven-game win streak. Falling the farthest within the poll was No. 14 Northwestern (Iowa) as the Red Raiders have lost three of their last five games.

Indiana Tech is the lone newcomer and pushes out St. Mary (Kan.). The Warriors, who were seventh in the Nov. 28 edition, land in the 25th spot.

With four ranked teams apiece, the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) and Mid-Central College Conference (MCC) lead all conferences and independents with the highest amount. Oregon Tech, No. 10 Northwest (Wash.), No. 17 Warner Pacific (Ore.) and No. 23 Eastern Oregon all hail from the CCC. Representing the MCC are: No. 6 Indiana Wesleyan, No. 7 Grace (Ind.), No. 12 Goshen (Ind.) and No. 19 Taylor (Ind.). Overall, 11 conferences/independents/unaffiliated groups are represented in the Top 25.

The poll was voted upon by a panel of head coaches representing each of the conferences and independents. The fourth regular-season Division II Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll will be announced on Jan. 9, 2012.

NOTES: (All information dates back to 1999 – 2000) There have been 38 different teams to be ranked at least once this season… No. 2 Dordt (Iowa) and No. 10 Northwest (Wash.) are the only undefeated programs remaining… No. 3 Oregon Tech has spent 12-straight polls ranked in the top five… With two road losses last week by Indiana Wesleyan, the former No. 1-ranked team fell to sixth… Embry-Riddle (Fla.) owns the most No. 1 rankings since 2000 with 17; No. 3 Oregon Tech, Oklahoma Wesleyan and former NAIA member Walsh (Ohio) have posted 12 mentions at No. 1… Oregon Tech is listed with the longest active streak in the Top 25 at 79-straight weeks -- the last time the Hustlin' Owls were not ranked was on Jan. 11, 2005… In second place is No. 1 Northwood (Fla.) with 44-consecutive mentions.

Others receiving votes:Southwestern (Kan.) 52; Spring Arbor (Mich.) 41; Valley City State (N.D.) 26; Briar Cliff (Iowa) 25; Iowa Wesleyan 21; Southern Oregon 20; Embry-Riddle (Fla.) 10; Clarke (Iowa) 7; Daemen (N.Y.) 7; Cornerstone (Mich.) 6; Central Christian (Kan.) 5; Midland (Neb.) 5; Point Park (Pa.) 3; Saint Mary (Kan.) 3; St. Thomas (Fla.) 1; Tennessee Wesleyan 1; Alice Lloyd (Ky.) 1; Dakota State (S.D.) 1; Holy Names (Calif.) 1; Milligan (Tenn.) 1; Brescia (Ky.) 1; Saint Francis (Ind.) 1