Grizzlies now seventh in regional rankings

INDIANAPOLIS— The Adams State College men’s basketball team is now ranked seventh in the second set of NCAA Division II Central Regional Rankings, released Wednesday by the NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Committee.

The rankings, which will updated and released each Wednesday through Mar. 2, will eventually determine the teams that receive at-large bids to the NCAA Division II Tournament.  They will also eventually determine the seeding for the 8-team Central Regional, to be held March 12, 13 and 15 at the highest seed, who submits an approved hosting bid.

The Grizzlies, who hold a 14-4 overall record, including a 10-4 mark against NCAA Division II foes, had been ranked an all-time program best fifth in last week’s initial set of rankings but dropped a 78-75 decision to regional ranking leading Fort Lewis last Saturday.  They did bounce back to defeat Johnson & Wales on Sunday but that victory does not matter for the regional rankings as it was against a non-NCAA Division II opponent.

The top three teams in this week’s rankings remained the same as a week ago with Minnesota State and Metro State sitting behind Fort Lewis.  Augustana (S.D.) made a big jump this week moving up five spots to fourth after going 2-0 last week.

Colorado Mines slid one spot to fifth while Mary (N.D.) jumped up two spots to sixth.  Winona State (Minn.) dropped two spots to eighth while Mesa State also slid two spots to ninth.  St. Cloud State (Minn.) moved into the rankings in the final spot taking the place of New Mexico Highlands, who the Grizzlies play on Friday night before visiting Western New Mexico on Saturday.

NCAA Division II Central Region Men's Basketball Rankings
(as of Feb. 2)