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)