The Andrews University Men’s Cardinal Basketball Team is making a name for itself this season. The team is currently ranked third in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Men’s Division II and holds a winning 9-5 record. Facing off against opponents like Oakwood University and Kuyper College in the coming weeks, the Cardinals hope to secure victories as well as an invitation to the USCAA National Tournament in March.

“The men’s basketball team has played at a very high level this year,” says David Jardine, head coach for the Cardinals. “As their coach, I am extremely proud of these young men and their accomplishments thus far.”

The 2011 USCAA National Tournament will take place on the campus of Penn State University in Fayette, Pa., March 1–5. Teams are selected based on a weekly coaches poll, which looks at strength of schedule, win/loss record, defensive points allowed and points scored. The 20 best USCAA teams are determined, and only the top eight will receive invitations to the event.

“The players are very dedicated and willing to do what is necessary to perform at the highest level possible,” says Jardine. “If we continue to work hard and play together as a team, we have an excellent chance of making it to the national tournament this year.”

This wouldn’t be the first time the Cardinals competed at the event. In 2008, under the leadership of head coach Fred Paulsen, the men’s basketball team won 3 of 4 games and placed fifth at the tournament. The Cardinals were led by USCAA All-American Sean Thorne and USCAA All-Tournament player Terrance Millen.

To learn more about the USCAA, visit www.theuscaa.com. For Cardinal game information, schedule and scores, visit http://www.andrews.edu/life/rec/intercollegiate/mens_basketball/.

The 2010–2011 Men’s Cardinal Basketball Team: Clifford Allen, Joshua Faehner, Alec Friedrich, Brandon Garrett, Jason Garrett, Charis Goulding, Ronaldo Green, Thomas Jardine, Matthew Little, Ryan Little, Jerome Murray, Junior Orelus, Ben Weakley and Tyler Wooldridge.