Yellowjackets Jump into Regional Poll (2/15/06)

BILLINGS, MT – Unranked in the NCAA South Central Region for the entire season, the Montana State-Billings men’s basketball team debuted this week in the fifth spot.  The Yellowjackets (16-4) split two games on the road last week at St. Edward’s University.  At the time the Hilltoppers were ranked fifth in the region.  This week the Hilltoppers slid one spot to No. 6.

Southwest Baptist, the eleventh-ranked team in the nation, is the top-ranked team in the South Central Region.  They are followed by Tarleton State, Truman, and Northwest Missouri State.  The top eight teams in the final regional poll receive an invitation to the NCAA Tournament.  In Division II, the NCAA Tournament is comprised of eight, eight-team regions.

The Yellowjackets have six games remaining in the regular season followed by the Heartland Conference playoffs.  The Jackets host Incarnate Word on Wednesday and St. Mary’s on Friday and Saturday to close out the home schedule.  MSU Billings finishes the regular season on the road at Oklahoma Panhandle State and Western New Mexico.  The winner of the Heartland Conference playoffs (March 1 and 4) will receive an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.

The MSU Billings women’s team, which was ranked tenth last week in the South Central Region, dropped out of this week’s poll.  The Lady Jackets lost twice at St. Edward’s last weekend.

NCAA South Central Region Poll
(DII Record, In-Region Record)
1. Southwest Baptist (18-2, 14-2);  2. Tarleton State (16-4, 16-2);  3. Truman (15-4, 11-4);  4. Northwest Missouri State (12-7, 12-5);  5. Montana State-Billings (12-4, 12-4);  6. St. Edward’s (12-4, 11-3);  7. Central Missouri State (12-6, 11-6);  8. West Texas A&M (15-6, 11-6);  9. Southeastern Oklahoma State (13-6, 11-6);  10. Texas A&M-Kingsville (13-8, 13-8)