Wednesday, February 27, 2013

PORTLAND, Ore. - Western Washington held on to its No. 1 ranking and Seattle Pacific remained at No. 3 in this week's NCAA Division II West Regional men's basketball poll.

The poll will eventually determine which five teams will join the champions from the GNAC, PacWest and CCAA in the eight-team regional tournament. 

If the three conference champions all end up in the Top 8, then the top eight ranked teams will qualify for the playoffs.  Alaska Anchorage is currently ranked ninth and is on the bubble for the regional tournament.

The GNAC will determine its champion with a tournament at Lacey, Mar. 7-9.  WWU, SPU, UAA, Alaska Fairbanks and Montana State Billings have already qualified for the conference tournment. 

Either Central Washington or Western Oregon will complete the field, depending on what happens in the final weekend of regular-season play this Thursday and Saturday.

The regional will begin Friday, Mar. 15 at a site to be announced.  Generally, the top-ranked teams earn the right of refusal to host the regional.

NCAA West Region (Feb. 27) -  1. Western Washington (22-1); 2. Cal Poly Pomona (20-2); 3. Seattle Pacific (19-3); 4. Dixie State (17-6); 5. Grand Canyon (19-5); 6. Cal State San Bernardino (16-6); 7. Chaminade (15-5); 8. San Francisco State (15-9); 9.  Alaska Anchorage (14-6); 10. Chico State (13-9).  Note: Records are versus Division II opponents.