With just a half-dozen games or so gone in the Division III basketball season, there's a long way to go for everyone. So while it's a little early to talk about running the table, it's not too soon to spotlight a few surprise unbeaten teams.

So congratulations to Ithaca, off to its best start since 1941 after going 6-0. And kudos to North Carolina Wesleyan, off to its best start since 1985, and Cabrini, which could be headed for its best season since firing John Dzik.

What sparked the turnarounds? More in this week's Around the Nation.

&&f-boxr&&Plus, DePauw and Oglethorpe got knocked off track in the past week en route to their Friday night showdown, the first of their two Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference meetings.

For DePauw, it's been a tough early-season run after losing forward Jenna Fernandez, who was supposed to be the Tigers' leading returning scorer. For Lehman, the team which sidetracked the Tigers, it's just another example of the benefits of playing a tough non-conference schedule.

That and more in this week's Around the Nation.