The first NCAA Division II men’s basketball regional rankings were released today and the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats are in the top spot in the central region.

The top eight teams in each region will qualify for the NCAA Division II men’s basketball tournament. Northwest has served as the central region host in each of the previous two seasons.

Central Region
1. Northwest Missouri State
2. Washburn
3. Northern State
4. St. Cloud State
5. Missouri Southern
6. Southern Nazarene
7. Minnesota State, Mankato
8. Lincoln
9. Wayne State
10. Southern Arkansas