Jackson State University sits atop the final Black College Nines (BCN) HBCU “large school” Top 10 poll of 2021.
The Tigers finished the season 34-9, one of only two Division I teams with single digit losses during the season and topped each of BCN’s Top 10 regular season weekly polls in 2021. This is Jackson State’s first HBCU national title.
After an incredible run in the regular season, Jackson State fell just short in the SWAC tournament championship game, thus denying the Tigers the opportunity of further postseason play. North Carolina Central, ending its baseball program after the 2021 season, finished No. 2 in the poll, followed by No. 3 Southern University and No. 4 Norfolk State. The Jaguars and the Spartans moved up in the final rankings by advancing to the NCAA Regional’s after winning their respective SWAC and MEAC conference championships.
Two SWAC squads are next, as Alabama State finishes at No. 5, followed by Prairie View A&M at No. 6. Florida A&M finishes the season at No. 7, followed by North Carolina A&T at No. 8, Grambling State at No. 9 and Delaware State finishes at No. 10 in Black College Nines’ final 2021 Top 10 poll.
In the “small school” division, with Black College World Series Champion Bluefield State University and runner-up Xavier University of Louisiana being locked into the No. 1 and No. 2 spots, West Virginia State University finishes in the No. 3 slot. The Mountain East Conference champion, WVSU moves on to the NCAA Division II regional tournament. Savannah State finishes at No. 4 and Albany State concludes the season at No. 5 in Black College Nines’ Final Top 10 poll. Miles College, Benedict 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 final divisional polls are as follows…
Large School Poll
| Rank | School | Won | Lost | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama State (SWAC) Record Since Last Poll: 0-2 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 2 Current RPI: 220 | 23 | 19 | 5 | |
| Delaware State University (MEAC) Record Since Last Poll: 0-2 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 10 Current RPI: 287 | 15 | 28 | 10 | |
| Florida A&M University (MEAC) Record Since Last Poll: 1-2 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 7 Current RPI: 255 | 22 | 34 | 7 | |
| Grambling State University (SWAC) Record Since Last Poll: 2-3 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 8 Current RPI: 277 | 17 | 27 | 9 | |
| Jackson State University (SWAC) Record Since Last Poll: 3-1 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 1 Current RPI: 158 | 34 | 9 | 1 | |
| Norfolk State University (MEAC) Record Since Last Poll: 3-0 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 4 Current RPI: 266 | 25 | 26 | 4 | |
| North Carolina A&T University (MEAC) Record Since Last Poll: 0-0 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 6 Current RPI: 251 | 22 | 32 | 8 | |
| North Carolina Central University (MEAC) Record Since Last Poll: 2-1 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 3 Current RPI: 223 | 27 | 19 | 2 | |
| Prairie View A&M (SWAC) Record Since Last Poll: 2-2 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 5 Current RPI: 272 | 14 | 18 | 6 | |
| Southern University (SWAC) Record Since Last Poll: 5-1 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 9 Current RPI: 268 | 20 | 28 | 3 |
None
Small School Poll
| Rank | School | Won | Lost | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany State University (SIAC) Record Since Last Poll: 0-0 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 5 Current ISR: 157 | 12 | 7 | 5 | |
| Benedict College (SIAC) Record Since Last Poll: 0-0 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 7 Current ISR: Not Indicated | 4 | 4 | 7 | |
| Bluefield State College (USCAA) Record Since Last Poll: 0-0 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 1 Current ISR: 435 | 15 | 12 | 1 | |
| Florida Memorial University (SUN) Record Since Last Poll: 0-0 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 10 Current ISR: 405 | 15 | 25 | 10 | |
| Kentucky State University (SIAC) Record Since Last Poll: 0-0 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 8 Current ISR: 600 | 6 | 8 | 8 | |
| Miles College (SIAC) Record Since Last Poll: 0-0 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 6 Current ISR: 415 | 8 | 9 | 6 | |
| Rust College (AII) Record Since Last Poll: 0-0 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 9 Current ISR: 661 | 13 | 20 | 9 | |
| Savannah State (SIAC) Record Since Last Poll: 0-0 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 4 Current ISR: 399 | 14 | 7 | 4 | |
| West Virginia State University (MEC) Record Since Last Poll: 0-0 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 3 Current ISR: 131 | 32 | 8 | 3 | |
| Xavier Univ of LA (GCAC) Record Since Last Poll: 0-0 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 2 Current ISR: 362 | 27 | 11 | 2 |
None
- 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.