NABC Top-25 Coaches Poll (Nov. 27)


INDIANAPOLIS – A torrid start to the regular season has Findlay ranked ninth in the nation as the new National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Poll was announced earlier this week.
 
The Oilers were ranked 13th a week ago and 23rd the week prior to start the 2018-19 campaign.
 
Findlay is undefeated at 5-0 going into the Great Midwest schedule and has five Midwest Region victories under its belt to enhance its strength of schedule when it comes down to selection time.
 
The Oilers started the year by beating two opponents from the Great Lakes Valley Conference (Truman State, Quincy) before downing three from the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (Saginaw Valley State, #14 Ferris State, Northwood).
 
Findlay has posted double-digit margin of victory in four of its five games and face conference newcomer Tiffin in the Great Midwest opener on Thursday on the road.
 
The Oilers have been shooting the lights out at over 50 percent and have connected on 43 percent of their attempts from beyond the arc.
 
Despite graduating four starters, Findlay hasn’t skipped a beat under Charlie Ernst and his staff. Five players are currently averaging double-figure scoring totals, including the most recent Great Midwest Athlete of the Week, guard Trey Smith.
 
Senior big man Alex White has emerged as a potential player of the year candidate early on by averaging a double-double with over 18 points and 11 boards per contest. Aaron Overhiser seemingly can’t miss with a scintillating field goal percentage over 61 percent.
 
Sophomore guard Tommy Schmock is complementing his reputation as a tenacious on-ball defender with 11.2 points per game. Another sophomore forward, Anthony Masterlasco, has been a fixture in the starting rotation while adding 11.2 ppg on over 55 percent shooting.