Jackson State University holds on to its No. 1 ranking for the fifth week in a row in Black College Nines’ 2021 Historically Black College and University (HBCU) regular season baseball poll in the large school division announced on April 29, 2021.
The Tigers of Jackson State, 24-8 overall and 18-0 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), continue to receive votes in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Division I Poll for the sixth week.
Both North Carolina Central and Alabama State retained their No. 2 and No.3 rankings in this week’s poll for the fourth week and Norfolk State University remained at No. 4 from last week. Grambling State jumped to No. 5, Alabama A&M moved up four spots to No. 6 and Prairie View A&M entered the poll rankings at No. 7. Delaware State, Florida A&M and North Carolina A&T round out the top 10.
Xavier University of Louisiana maintains its hold on the No. 1 ranking in the small school Top 10 poll presented by Black College Nines. The Gold Rush is 23-7 overall. West Virginia State University remains at No. 2, while Savannah State University and Albany State University flip positions from last week with the Albany State Golden Rams jumping to No. 3. Bluefield State College jumped to No. 5 and Benedict College comes in at No. 6. Miles College, Kentucky State, Rust College and Florida Memorial University round out the “small school” top 10.
The Voting Committee of Black College Nines determines the Top 10 rankings. Overall records do not include ties.
The two divisional polls are as follows…
Large School Poll
| Rank | School | Won | Lost | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama A&M (SWAC) Record Since Last Poll: 3-0 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 10 Current RPI: 284 | 8 | 12 | 6 | |
| Alabama State (SWAC) Record Since Last Poll: 0-0 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 3 Current RPI: 265 | 16 | 17 | 3 | |
| Delaware State University (MEAC) Record Since Last Poll: 1-3 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 6 Current RPI: 275 | 12 | 17 | 8 | |
| Florida A&M University (MEAC) Record Since Last Poll: 2-2 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 5 Current RPI: 251 | 15 | 25 | 9 | |
| Grambling State University (SWAC) Record Since Last Poll: 2-0 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 7 Current RPI: 280 | 13 | 18 | 5 | |
| Jackson State University (SWAC) Record Since Last Poll: 0-1 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 1 Current RPI: 104 | 24 | 8 | 1 | |
| Norfolk State University (MEAC) Record Since Last Poll: 3-1 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 4 Current RPI: 262 | 18 | 21 | 4 | |
| North Carolina A&T University (MEAC) Record Since Last Poll: 3-2 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 9 Current RPI: 267 | 15 | 27 | 10 | |
| North Carolina Central University (MEAC) Record Since Last Poll: 2-2 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 2 Current RPI: 231 | 16 | 15 | 2 | |
| Prairie View A&M (SWAC) Record Since Last Poll: 4-0 Previous BCN Poll Rank: N/A Current RPI: 288 | 9 | 14 | 7 |
Also receiving votes: Southern University, Texas Southern
Small School Poll
| Rank | School | Won | Lost | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany State University (SIAC) Record Since Last Poll: 1-0 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 4 Current ISR: 141 | 12 | 7 | 3 | |
| Benedict College (SIAC) Record Since Last Poll: 1-1 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 8 Current ISR: Not Indicated | 4 | 4 | 6 | |
| Bluefield State College (USCAA) Record Since Last Poll: 2-0 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 7 Current ISR: 489 | 11 | 11 | 5 | |
| Florida Memorial University (SUN) Record Since Last Poll: 0-0 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 10 Current ISR: 392 | 13 | 23 | 10 | |
| Kentucky State University (SIAC) Record Since Last Poll: 0-0 Previous BCN Poll Rank: N/A Current ISR: 574 | 6 | 8 | 8 | |
| Miles College (SIAC) Record Since Last Poll: 0-0 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 6 Current ISR: 381 | 8 | 9 | 7 | |
| Rust College (AII) Record Since Last Poll: 0-0 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 9 Current ISR: 619 | 13 | 18 | 9 | |
| Savannah State (SIAC) Record Since Last Poll: 0-0 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 3 Current ISR: 345 | 13 | 5 | 4 | |
| West Virginia State University (MEC) Record Since Last Poll: 2-0 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 2 Current ISR: 159 | 21 | 7 | 2 | |
| Xavier Univ of LA (GCAC) Record Since Last Poll: 1-1 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 1 Current ISR: 300 | 23 | 7 | 1 |
Also receiving votes: Claflin University, Edward Waters College, Harris Stowe State, Jarvis Christian College, Talladega College, Tuskegee University
- In the large school division, the “RPI” referenced is Massey’s Composite Rankings which is a blending of a number of trusted ranking services. The entire NCAA Division I rankings can be found at masseyratings.com.
- In the small school division, the “ISR” referenced is Boyd Nation’s Iterative Strength Rating. For an analysis of his ISR, the link can be found at The College Baseball Ratings Page-Frequently Asked Questions. Please note, if a school’s ISR shows as “not indicated”, it is because the school has not played in enough qualifying games to give an accurate rating.
2021 Poll Dates (with links to poll results):
Pre-Season
Week 1 (March 11, 2021)
Week 2 (March 25, 2021)
Week 3 (April 8, 2021)
Week 4 (April 22, 2021)
Week 5 (April 29, 2021)
Week 6 (May 6, 2021)
Week 7 (May 13, 2021)
Week 8 (May 20, 2021)
Week 9 (May 27, 2021)*
*Final Poll
The voting committee is made up of an informed and impartial group of individuals who follow college baseball on all levels, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) baseball. Included in the group are college athletic administrators and educators, college baseball writers and other sports journalists and broadcasters, former HBCU and other college ballplayers and above all else… college baseball enthusiasts who have an interest in promoting HBCU baseball.
As the college baseball season concludes, champions will be named in two divisions… the “large school” division will be composed of the 16 HBCU schools representing NCAA Division I and a “small school” division made up of the 24 HBCU schools with NCAA Division II, NAIA and USCAA status.