With just one week before the ever-important NCAA Regional Rankings debut, the Northwest Missouri State men’s basketball team continues to climb in the National Association of Basketball Coaches Top 25 poll released Tuesday.

The Bearcats jump to No. 18 in this week’s edition of the poll after picking up a 78-74 win at Pittsburg State on Saturday afternoon. With the win over the Gorillas, Northwest improved to 17-3 overall and 11-3 in conference play and clinched a spot in the MIAA Postseason Tournament, the first under head coach Ben McCollum.

The NABC Top 25 poll is made up of votes from coaches around the country and does not affect standing in the NCAA tournament. The first NCAA Regional Rankings come out Wednesday, Feb. 15, as the top eight teams in the rankings earn a spot in their respective regional tournament.

The top five teams all remained the same in the poll, led by No. 1 Bellarmine (Ky.) and followed by West Liberty (W. Va.) at No. 2. Winona State (Minn.) moved up to No. 3, as did Colorado School of Mines to No. 4 while Tarleton State (Texas) fell from No. 3 to No. 5.

Also cracking the NABC Top 25 is MIAA member Central Missouri at No. 25 while Missouri Southern sits one spot behind the Bearcats at No. 19.

— NWMSU Sports Information —