March 13, 2008

Allendale, Mich. - With the NCAA Division II Tournament just days away from getting started, the run to determine a new national champion is headed up by the last two undefeated teams in NCAA basketball, and co-No. 1 teams in the final NABC/Division II coaches poll. For the first time in Grand Valley State men's basketball history the Lakers are ranked #1 in the country. Both the Lakers and Bentley, the other co-No. 1, enter the regionals with records of 33-0 and 30-0, respectively, split the eight first place votes and will share the No. 1 spot in the final rankings for the 2007-08 season. This marks the first time that the No. 1 spot has been shared in the final ranking of a season. Grand Valley State spent the last 10 weeks in the number two spot, but added another first place vote after its win over #6 Findlay (73-67) in the GLIAC Tournament Championship Game.

Grand Valley State (33-0) will host St. Joseph's College (18-11) in an NCAA Division II First-Round game Saturday, March 15 at 6 p.m. in the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena. The Lakers claimed a 63-49 road win over the Pumas Nov. 24. The game was tied 49-49 with 6:13 remaining, but the Lakers ended the game with a 14-0 run to capture the win.