LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Southern College men's basketball jumped into the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Division II Coaches Poll after starting 2022-23 with a 4-0 record. The Moccasins earned wins over preseason-no. 5 West Texas A&M, Flagler, Clayton State, and Palm Beach Atlantic to jump to 18^th in the national poll.
 
"It's always nice to be recognized," Head Coach Mike Donnelly commented on the week one NABC ranking. "But, we know it's very early in the season so our only focus right now is to improve everyday. I am proud of how hard our guys have worked to get off to a good start this year. We are excited to play this weekend against two good teams."
 
While hosting the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic, Florida Southern knocked off Flagler, who was receiving votes in the preseason poll 96-80 before holding off preseason-no. 5 West Texas A&M 92-90 on a defensive stop. Redshirt sophomore Jadin Booth helped lead the Mocs to the 2-0 start, earning the Tournament Most Valuable Player (MVP).
 
Florida Southern traveled to Clayton State on Nov. 15 and earned a 100-98 win on another defensive stop before opening Sunshine State Conference play with a 73-72 win over Palm Beach Atlantic, on yet another defensive stop. Redshirt senior E.J. Dambreville helped pace the Mocs in the road win over Clayton State with a career-high 29 points from the floor, on 12-of-15 shooting. 
 
Two players have earned Sunshine State Conference players of the week in the two chances the Mocs have played, Booth earning the first of the year (Nov. 7) before Dambreville this week (No. 21).
 
Florida Southern is one of three Sunshine State Conference teams represented on the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Top-25 rankings, behind No. 4 Nova Southeastern (3-0), who didn't move from the preseason fourth slot, and No. 17 Embry-Riddle (3-0), who like the Moccasins started the year unranked.
 
The Moccasins are back in action Friday, Nov. 25 at 7:30 p.m. against Anderson University inside the George W. Jenkins Field House when Southern hosts the Terrace Hotel Thanksgiving Classic.

Other Rankings: Florida Southern 4th in D2SIDA Regional Rankings, 21st in the D2SIDA Media Poll.