Know Western Pennsylvania college basketball? Follow the area teams closely?

OK, try answering this. What college or university has the highest ranked men's team so far this season?

Pitt? Nope, wrong answer. California (Pa.) University? Wrong again. How about Penn State New Kensington.

That's right, Penn State has a branch campus in the Allegheny Valley and its men's basketball team has been on a tear.

Penn State New Kensington is 17-2, 15-0 in the Penn State University Athletic Conference and No. 1 in the United State Collegiate Athletic Association Division II rankings. Following a 74-61 win against Franciscan Monday, PS New Kensington accepted a bid to the USCAA national tournament Feb. 28-March 1 in South Portland, Me.

It needs to be pointed out there are just 24 schools in USCAA Division II, still PS New Kensington is at the top. The Lions only losses have come against NCAA Division II Edinboro and Division III Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa.

"This all started last year when we added a couple players at the break," said coach Ryan Shank, who grew up in McKeesport and played high school ball for Dan Pacella before going to Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pa. He was an assistant at Penn Sate McKeesport (now Greater Allegheny) for four years before taking the job at New Kensington in 2005.

"R.J. Hurt came in for the second semester last year and Mike Fisher didn't play the first semester. When we got them, we started to go."

Fisher is a 5-foot-8 sophomore guard from Plum. He led New Kensington in scoring last season. Hurt is a 6-4 senior from Riverview High School and is one of New Kensington's top scorers at 12.7 points per game, while Fisher is at 12.9 ppg. The Lions have five players averaging in double figures with Josh Robinson, a 6-2 junior from Saint Joseph in Natrona Heights leading the way at 13.7 ppg and go nine deep.

"Those guys coming in the second semester last year just gave us more options," Shank said. "It has all just carried over."

Last season, PS New Kensington went to the PSUAC final four at the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pa., but lost to eventual champion DuBois. New Kensington's undefeated mark is the PSUAC this season includes a victory at DuBois.

One of New Kensington's secrets this season is its depth. While playing for Pacella at McKeesport High Shank learned how to substitute early and often.

"Defensively, we get after you for 40 minutes," Shank said. "Our offense relies on the defense to get steals and turnovers we can convert into easy baskets. Because of that, we want to keep fresh guys on the court. That's why we play a lot of guys."

Other players averaging in double figures for the Lions are Jeremy Hurt, a 6-7 senior from Riverview and R.J.'s brother and Baldwin Dawkins, a 6-2 sophomore from McKeesport. Jeremy Hurt is averaging 12.7 ppg and Dawkins 11.3. Jeremy Hurt is also the leading rebounder, averaging 11 per game.

Burrell High graduate Zack Ziemanski, a 5-10 freshman, is a key reserve averaging 7.2 ppg. Pete Kaplon, a 5-7 sophomore from West Shamokin High, and Garett Jackson, a 6-4 sophomore from McKeesport, have seen considerable playing time.

"We've got a lot of guys who understand their roles and that makes us a better team," said Shank, who teaches social studies at McKeesport High School. He said the drive from there to New Kensington isn't bad, about 45 minutes.

The Lions play in a cozy field house on the PS New Kensington campus. Shank has noticed more people in the stands lately.

"I think our style of play is fun to watch and the word has been getting out," he said.

The lofty ranking has helped Shank with recruiting. He can sell a high school athlete who wants to keep playing basketball on joining a winning program and coming away with a Penn State degree.

"At our level, you want to get out and talk to as many people as possible," he said of recruiting.

Plus, there is stability in the program.

"I'm really happy with where I'm at," Shank said. "I really enjoy coaching. You never want to say never, but I'm not looking to go anywhere."

Which isn't true. He's looking to take Penn State New Kensington back to the Bryce Jordan Center for a shot at the PSUAC title.