Harding men's basketball ranked No. 5 in First Central Region rankings

SEARCY, Ark. (HARDING) -- The Harding men's basketball team is ranked fifth in the Central Region in the first edition of the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Regional Rankings, released Wednesday.

The top eight teams from the Central Region--which includes the Great American Conference, MIAA, and Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference--advance to the NCAA Division II Tournament.

Harding is 17-7 overall and 15-7 against Division II opponents. The Bisons are the highest-ranked team from the GAC. Arkansas Tech is No. 7.

Harding is bidding for its fourth berth in the NCAA Tournament. The Bisons also went in 2003, 2008 and 2011.

The top-seeded team in each of the eight regions serves as the regional tournament host. Winona (Minn.) State is the No. 1 seed in the first rankings.

The rankings will be released again on Feb. 27 and Mar. 6, with the NCAA Tournament Selection Show airing on Mar. 10.

CENTRAL Overall Record In-Region Record
1 Winona State 24-5 20-4
2 Minnesota State-Mankato 20-4 18-4
3 Augustana (S.D.) 16-6 16-6
4 St. Cloud State 17-5 15-5
5 Harding 15-7 15-7
6 Central Missouri 14-6 14-5
7 Arkansas Tech 13-8 13-8
8 Fort Hays State 13-6 13-6
9 Southwest Minnesota State 15-11 13-10
10 Upper Iowa 16-9 15-9