The undefeated Neumann University men’s basketball team is now nationally ranked for the first time in program history.

The Knights, who are off to an 8-0 start this season, including a 3-0 mark in the Colonial States Athletic Conference, are No. 23 in D3Hoops.com’s latest Top 25 poll.

“I think what it means for the program, it validates what we do and what we’ve done for the four years we’ve taken over,” Neumann coach Jim Rullo said. “I think it’s a testament to how the kids have bought in to our philosophy and how we go about our business day-to-day.

“It’s obviously pretty exciting. At the same time, we understand that we still have a lot of basketball left in the second part of the season, but I think we’re on the right track.”

Neumann, which scores 99.5 points per game while shooting 53.6 percent from the field, is first in the nation in scoring margin, with an average win of 24.5 points.

Darian Barnes, a 6-foot-9 senior center and Penn Wood High School graduate, is one of six Knights averaging double figures with 11.4 points per outing. He’s also grabbing a team-high 8.6 rebounds per game, and his 3.0 blocks per game are tied for seventh in the country.

Chester native Kenny Wilson, a sophomore guard, averages 12.5 points. Billy Cassidy of Primos, Springfield’s Jordan Collins, and Collingdale’s Adam Robinson round out the five Knights who were raised in Delaware County.

“I think we have a group that is very unselfish,” Rullo said. “I think you have a group of individuals that, when their shot’s there, they’ll obviously take it, but at the same time we’re, I think, a pass-first group, and it’s kind of a refreshing brand of basketball.”

Neumann has eclipsed the 100-point mark in five of its eight games, with its high score coming in a season-opening win over Rowan, 113-96.

The Knights will be back on the court on Friday, Dec. 30 when they host the University of Scranton at 3 PM.