FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern women's basketball team was voted No. 3 in the final
USA Today Sports DII Coaches' Top 25 Poll, as released on Tuesday afternoon.
The Sharks (29-5), who advanced to the National Semifinal round at last week's NCAA Tournament, leapt seven slots from the last poll released prior to postseason play. They finished behind the undefeated champions of DII, Bentley, who received 31 of the 32 possible first-place votes, and national runner-up West Texas A&M, who handed the Sharks their final loss of the year.
"Being ranked third in the final Top 25 poll is a tribute to all of the hard work, determination and focus our team displayed to finish a great season," said head coach LeAnn Freeland. "Our staff is extremely proud of this team. They were a fun group that will be remembered for their positive energy and great team chemistry. I especially want to thank our seniors – Amanda Burakoski, Jessica Russi, Julia Salmio and Riki Carach – for a great journey."
Colorado Mesa, with one first-place vote, and Drury, rounded out the top five. The other team to advance to the Final Four, Cal Poly Pomona, finished sixth, followed by Emporia State, Edinboro, Gannon and Harding.
Fellow Sunshine State Conference schools Tampa (No. 15, up from 17) and Rollins (No. 19, down from 16) were also slotted in the final poll.
NSU was ranked in the top 10 all throughout this season, fluctuating from No. 4 in the preseason to No. 10 in the final regular season poll. Their highest ranking came when the team was 14-0, moving from fourth to third on Jan. 21, making this final ranking tied for the best in program history. Prior to this season, their highest ranking was No. 12, in last year's final poll, after their run to the Elite Eight. They had been unranked heading into postseason play a year ago.
The Sharks will return eight letterwinners to next year's squad, along with two redshirts who were with the team throughout the season.
Final USA Today Sports DII Coaches' Top 25 Poll:
| # | School | (First) | Record | Pts | Prv Rk |
| 1 | Bentley | 31 | 35-0 | 774 | 1 |
| 2 | West Texas A&M | | 32-3 | 742 | 5 |
| 3 | Nova Southeastern | | 29-5 | 647 | 10 |
| 4 | Colorado Mesa | 1 | 30-2 | 630 | 4 |
| 5 | Drury | | 27-4 | 621 | 6 |
| 6 | Cal State Poly-Pomona | | 26-7 | 584 | 18 |
| 7 | Emporia State | | 30-4 | 558 | 7 |
| 8 | Edinboro (Pa.) | | 27-6 | 495 | 25 |
| 9 | Gannon | | 28-4 | 447 | 3 |
| 10 | Harding | | 29-3 | 440 | 2 |
| 11 | Central Missouri | | 26-5 | 383 | 8 |
| 12 | Concordia-St. Paul | | 28-9 | 363 | NR |
| 13 | Glenville State | | 29-4 | 348 | 9 |
| 14 | Bloomsburg (Pa.) | | 26-5 | 338 | 14 |
| 15 | Tampa | | 24-7 | 313 | 17 |
| 16 | Wayne State (Neb.) | | 28-5 | 299 | T11 |
| 17 | Limestone | | 27-6 | 256 | NR |
| 18 | Lewis | | 23-6 | 224 | T11 |
| 19 | Rollins | | 25-7 | 188 | 16 |
| 20 | Delta State | | 24-6 | 167 | 15 |
| 21 | Montana State-Billings | | 25-8 | 142 | NR |
| 22 | Virginia State | | 25-3 | 132 | 13 |
| 23 | Quincy (Ill.) | | 23-7 | 125 | 21 |
| 24 | Northern State | | 24-7 | 101 | 19 |
| T25 | Lenoir-Rhyne | | 24-7 | 85 | 24 |
| T25 | LIU Post | | 24-7 | 85 | NR |
Dropped Out: Minnesota State-Mankato (20), Pittsburg State (22), North Georgia (23)
Others Receiving Votes: Minnesota State-Mankato 82; North Georgia 76; Wayne State (Mich.) 69; Pittsburg State 67; Armstrong Atlantic State 55; Adelphi 30; Tarleton State 30; Simon Fraser 22; Chico State 20; Stonehill 17; Indianapolis 15; Fort Hays State 14; Wingate 13; Northwest Nazarene 12; Academy of Art 11; District of Columbia 11; Truman State 9; Clayton State 8; Shaw 8; Northern Michigan 4; St. Edward's Texas) 4; St. Mary's (Texas) 3; Albany State 2; Texas A&M International 2; Belmont Abbey 1; CSU-Pueblo 1; Charleston 1.
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