SEATTLE (Feb. 11) -- Going into this weekend's collision with the defending conference and regional champion, Seattle Pacific University has reached its highest national ranking in the last eight years. The Falcons (12-1, 20-2), winners of five in a row and atop the Great Northwest Conference standings, rose one spot to No. 7 in this week's NCAA Division II men's basketball coaches poll.

Not since it went to No. 4 in January of 1994 has SPU been rated so high. It clinched its fourth straight 20-win season with Saturday's 86-83 victory at Northwest Nazarene. Saturday night the Falcons face Western Washington in Bellingham.

The West Region claims the most teams among the national top 10. Cal State San Bernardino is No. 3 and Humboldt State, which visits SPU Mar. 2, is No. 6. Defending NCAA champion Kentucky Wesleyan retained the top spot in this week's poll, conducted by the Division II Bulletin.

1. Kentucky Wesleyan 22-1
2. Northeastern State, Ok. 21-1
3. Cal State San Bernardino 20-1
4. Tampa 20-1
5. Adelphi , NY 22-1
6. Humboldt State, Ca. 20-1
7. Seattle Pacific 20-2
8. Salem International , WV 20-2
9. Northwest Missouri 20-2
10. Michigan Tech 20-2
11. Henderson State, Ar. 18-3
12. South Dakota State 19-3
13. Indiana, Pa. 20-2
14. Nebraska Kearney 18-3
15. Assumption, Ma. 18-3
16. Gannon, Pa. 20-3
17. Cal State Bakersfield 18-3
18. Missouri Southern 17-5
19. Johnson C. Smith, NC 18-4
20. Missouri Western 17-5
21. Shaw, NC 18-4
22. California, Pa. 19-4
23. Wingate, NC 20-4
24. Metropolitan State, Co. 19-4
25. Montana State Billings 19-3
Others receiving consideration: Carson-Newman (18-4), West Virginia Wesleyan (16-5), Washburn (17-5), Belmont Abbey (17-4), Tarleton State (20-5).