The University of Minnesota Duluth appeared eighth in the second release of the NCAA Division II Central Region Rankings, which was released on Wednesday. The Bulldogs were not ranked in the first of three polls.
This is UMD's first time in the NCAA II Regional Ranking since the 2011-12 season when it ranked 10th in the first poll.
The Bulldogs, currently at 15-9 overall and 15-9 against regional competition, are one of five Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference teams in the poll. Northern State University, who is ranked third, is the first NSIC club to appear in the rankings. St. Cloud State University is fourth followed by Minnesota State University Mankato (seventh), UMD, and Augustana University (ninth). Undefeated and top-ranked Northwest Missouri State University holds down the top spot while Washburn University came in at No. 2.
The winners of the NSIC Postseason Tournament and the champions of the MIAA and the GAC get automatic bids to the tournament, leaving five at-large bids chosen by the teams ranked highest following postseason tournament play. The NCAA Basketball Selection Show will be streamed online on Sunday, March 10 at 9:30 p.m. on NCAA.com.
UMD hosts Winona State University in a rematch of last season's first-round conference tournament game tonight at 7:30 p.m. Tonight's contest versus the Warriors can be streamed live
HERE.
| CENTRAL REGION RANKINGS |
IN-REGION |
OVERALL |
| 1. Northwest Missouri State (MIAA) |
24-0 |
23-0 |
| 2. Washburn (MIAA) |
19-5 |
18-5 |
| 3. Northern State (NSIC) |
22-6 |
21-6 |
| 4. St. Cloud State (NSIC) |
20-5 |
18-4 |
| 5. Missouri Western State (MIAA) |
19-5 |
19-5 |
| 6. Southern Nazarene (MIAA) |
18-5 |
18-6 |
| 7. Minnesota State (NSIC) |
17-10 |
16-9 |
| 8. UMD (NSIC) |
15-9 |
15-9 |
| 9. Augustana (NSIC) |
17-6 |
16-5 |
| 10. Southeastern Okla. State (GAC) |
16-6 |
16-6 |
