Yellowjackets Move into Regional Rankings (Feb. 16, 2005)
BILLINGS, MT – Seven straight conference wins
have given the MSU Billings men’s basketball team enough points to
climb back into the NCAA West Region poll. The Yellowjackets
jumped all the way to No. 8 in the poll released by the NCAA
basketball committee on Wednesday. MSUB was ranked ninth in the
first poll of the season but has not been ranked since.
The Jackets won their eighth straight game
late Tuesday at Hawaii Pacific. MSU Billings will play at
ninth-ranked BYU-Hawaii on Thursday and Saturday. The
Yellowjackets likely need at least a split of the two games in
Laie to remain in the NCAA Tournament mix. A two game sweep by
either the Seasiders or Yellowjackets could propel the winning
team into the NCAA Tournament. The top eight teams in the final
poll of the season are invited to the tournament.
PacWest frontrunner Hawaii-Hilo, which
MSU Billings defeated last week, held onto the top spot in the
poll. With just two games remaining, the Vulcans are in position
to host the NCAA West Regional. The top ranked team in each of
the NCAA II regions earns the right to host the first three rounds
of the tournament.
NCAA Men’s Basketball West Region Poll
(through games of February 13, 2005)
(Rank, School, Overall Record, Regional Record)
1. Hawaii-Hilo (22-3, 15-3)
2. Western Washington (17-4, 13-3)
3. Seattle Pacific (17-5, 11-4)
4. Cal Poly Pomona (16-5, 14-4)
5. Cal State-Chico (15-6, 14-4)
6. Cal State-San Bernardino (16-4, 12-4)
7. Alaska-Fairbanks (15-7, 11-4)
8. Montana State-Billings (15-6, 8-5)
9. BYU-Hawaii (12-7, 8-6)
10. Northwest Nazarene (13-9, 11-9) |
