DURHAM, N.C. – After 26 games in the 2013-14 season, North Carolina Central University men’s basketball team is arguably one of the hottest teams in the nation as the Eagles received a vote in the Associated Press Top 25 for the first-time in the young program’s NCAA Division I history.

With wins on the year over NC State (82-72 OT, Nov. 20, 2013), Old Dominion (76-69 OT, Dec. 3) the maroon and gray was ranked No. 18 in the latest CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Poll.

NCCU’s performance on the road at Wichita State, who is currently ranked No. 2 in the country, certainly caught the attention of many basketball experts.  In that ballgame, the maroon and gray erased a double-digit deficit in the second half to the Shockers, only to see WSU do just enough to pull away in the 77-66 victory.  Senior guard Jeremy Ingram lit up the Shockers with 37 points.

The Eagles have not lost since Jan. 11, 2014 and have the fifth longest winning streak in the nation at 13 games.  To add to that, the maroon and gray have won 21 consecutive contests at home.  The streak is also the fifth longest in the nation.

NCCU sits in first place in the league and can wrap up at least a share of the MEAC regular season title with a win on Saturday against South Carolina State at home.  The Eagles can clinch the title by winning against both SC State and Savannah State on March 1 and 3.

To see the entire Associated Press Top 25, click the following link:  http://www.ncaa.com/rankings/basketball-men/d1/associated-press