When Carnegie Mellon coach Tony Wingen says his Tartans can play with anybody in the University Athletic Association, that's a bold statement considering the league boasts the Nos. 1, 2 and 8-ranked men's basketball teams in NCAA Division III.

"I'm hoping I won't regret saying those words," said Wingen, whose Tartans are 8-2 and are listed among "others receiving votes" in the D3.com poll. "Clearly the UAA is the No. 1 conference in America."

Rochester (9-0) is top-ranked, followed by No. 2 Brandeis (9-1) and No. 8 Washington (Mo.) University (8-2).

"I don't think we're overmatched, not at all," Wingen said. "I would say most of the league is looking at us as a dark horse. I'm looking at us as a contender. We're probably somewhere in between. I think if we can finish fourth and get 18 wins we have a chance to go to the NCAAs."

He added with a nervous laugh, "We have a brutal schedule ahead. There are no gimme games in the UAA."

Carnegie Mellon won its fifth in a row with a 65-57 victory at Juniata Saturday as 6-foot-8 senior Greg Gonzalez scored a career-high 21 points. The leading scorers for the season are 6-5 Ryan Einwag (16.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg), a junior from Baldwin, Gonzalez (12.3 ppg, 9.1 rpg), 6-3 Jack Anderson (12.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg) and 6-0 Geoff Kozak (10.0 ppg, 4.2 apg). Anderson didn't play against Juniata because of a sprained left ankle, but Wingen said he should be available for the start of league play.

Carnegie Mellon still has non-league games at home against Averett College (Friday) and Lycoming (Sunday) before heading into the UAA on a full-time basis. The Tartans already have played one league game, losing at Rochester, 64-50. Brad Runco, a 6-2 sophomore from Allderdice, starts for Rochester and averages 3.3 points and 3.1 rebounds.

"They're very physical, but I think we're capable of beating Rochester when we play well," Wingen said. "Our margin of error is small."

The Tartans picked up a big win two weeks ago with a 71-65 victory at then-No. 12 Capital.

"That proved to our players we can play with anybody in the country," Wingen said. "I felt like we are better athletes than them. Absolutely, that win gives us confidence. Capital was a UAA team in terms of their talent."

The UAA has been a strong conference over the years, with Rochester winning the national championship in 1990. Washington was national runner-up last year.

"Last year the UAA had four teams in the NCAA tournament and two in the ECAC playoffs. To have six of the eight teams in the postseason is unprecedented for the league," Wingen said. "The UAA is made up of elite schools academically, and kids and parents look at the educational aspect when they are looking at schools. The league is getting a lot of kids who are Ivy League-caliber basketball players. The UAA is a really good option.

"The UAA's record shows that smart guys can play basketball."

Wingen likes the way the Tartans are playing of late.

"We are defending very well, particularly 3-point shooters," he said. "Our rebounding is more consistent and our offense is coming. We haven't put it all together yet."

That's what it will take for Carnegie Mellon to challenge the UAA's elite teams.