SEWARD, Neb. – As expected, the Concordia University women’s basketball team will begin the 2019-20 season as the top-ranked team in NAIA Division II. The Bulldogs scooped up all 12 first-place votes in the preseason coaches’ poll released on Wednesday (Oct. 23) by the NAIA. Head coach Drew Olson’s program also began its 2018-19 national championship campaign as the NAIA preseason No. 1.
A day before the poll came out, Concordia gave validation to its top billing by playing a double overtime contest at NCAA Division I Creighton University. The Bluejays rallied from a 12-point deficit to edge the Bulldogs, 85-83. At point guard, Concordia standout Grace Barry continues to elevate her game. She produced 26 points, eight assists, four rebounds and three steals while committing only one turnover in 41 minutes of playing time.
The Bulldog women’s basketball program’s 22 all-time No. 1 rankings includes the final nine polls of the 2002-03 season, the first four polls of the 2012-13 campaign, two polls in January 2018, six polls in 2018-19 and the 2019-20 preseason rating. This marks the third time that the program has been tabbed the preseason No. 1 (2012-13, 2018-19 and 2019-20). Concordia won its first-ever national title in 2019 after reaching the final game in both 2015 and 2018 in addition to semifinal appearances in 2003, 2005, 2012 and 2017. Olson’s program is the only one in NAIA women’s basketball to advance to the national semifinals in four of the past five years and in five of the past eight.
Olson’s teams have finished inside the top 25 in 10 of his first 13 seasons. In addition to winning the national title last season, the Bulldogs finished with national rankings of No. 2 in both 2015 and 2018. Both the 2011-12 and 2016-17 squads were ranked third at the close of their seasons. The Bulldogs have finished inside the top 10 in six of the past eight years.
Concordia will officially open the season this weekend at the College of the Ozarks Classic in Point Lookout, Mo. In action on Friday, the Bulldogs will play 12th-ranked Sterling College (Kan.) at 5:30 p.m. CT. They will then take on either No. 2 Southeastern University (Fla.) or host and third-ranked College of the Ozarks on Saturday. Game time will either be 1 or 3 p.m. on Saturday, pending Friday’s result.
Nationally-ranked teams that will appear on this season’s schedule include: No. 2 Southeastern, potentially No. 3 College of the Ozarks, No. 5 Dordt, No. 7 Dakota Wesleyan, No. 9 University of St. Francis (Ill.), No. 11 Northwestern, No. 12 Sterling, No. 16 Hastings and No. 19 Morningside.
Preseason rankings under Olson
2019-20: 1
2018-19: 1
2017-18: 3
2016-17: 14
2015-16: 4
2014-15: 9
2013-14: 5
2012-13: 1
2011-12: 22
2010-11: 11
2009-10: 22
2008-09: 7
2007-08: NR
2006-07: NR
Final end of season rankings under Olson
2018-19: 1
2017-18: 2 (NAIA did not release a poll after the national tournament)
2016-17: 3
2015-16: 19
2014-15: 2
2013-14: 13
2012-13: 9
2011-12: 3
2010-11: NR
2009-10: NR
2008-09: 8
2007-08: 10
2006-07: NR