Division II Media Poll Presented by D2SIDA Week #8 (Jan. 12, 2016)
NABC Division II Coaches Top 25 Poll Week #7 (Jan. 12, 2016)

The University of Minnesota Duluth finds itself ranked in both NCAA Division II major polls, ranking No. 24 in the NCAA II Media Poll, presented by D2SIDA, and among the teams receiving votes in the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Top 25 Coaches Poll.

UMD (13-3, 9-1 NSIC, R.V.) has never been ranked in the NABC Division II Top 25 since switching over full-time to NCAA II from the NAIA following the 1993-94 season. In this week's poll, UMD owns the 28th-highest voting total. The last time the Bulldogs received votes in the poll was January 14, 2009.  That 2008-09 squad lost 3-of-4 following their ranking and never re-entered the poll despite a five-game winning streak to close the regular season. The last time UMD ranked in the top 25 of any poll was February 19, 1991 when the Bulldogs were sixth in the final NAIA Regular Season Poll. UMD lands in the top-25 of the Media Poll for the first time ever though that poll only just began in its current form during the 2014-15 season.

The Bulldogs are in store for a battle this weekend as the team travels to Sioux Falls, South Dakota on Saturday to take on No. 2 Augustana (S.D.) University in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action. No. 10 Minnesota State University Moorhead dropped from a week ago after suffering its first NSIC defeat against the University of Mary last weekend. U-Mary and Minnesota State University Mankato each rank among the teams receiving votes.

Before facing the Vikings, UMD will travel to Wayne, Nebraska to take on Wayne State (Neb.) College on Friday evening. Opening tip is set for 8:00 p.m. following the women's contest.