By Katie Richcreek
The NCAA released its first round of Division II men’s basketball regional rankings on Feb. 18. At the top of the West Region? Azusa Pacific.
PacWest teams accounted for five of the ten teams represented in the West Region, including No. 2 California Baptist, No. 4 BYU-Hawaii, No. 6 Dixie State and No. 8 Point Loma.
Azusa Pacific and Dixie State are tied for first in the PacWest. CBU is a close second.
The Cougars will host California Baptist on Feb. 21. Dixie State will be at Fresno Pacific that same night. APU, CBU, and Dixie State each have three conference losses.
Needless to say, Saturday’s games will have a significant impact on the tight PacWest standings — and likely the next set of regional rankings.
Scenarios:
- APU wins, Dixie State wins — Remain tied at the top
- APU wins, Dixie State loses — Cougars take over as sole leader
- APU loses, Dixie State wins — Red Storm will lead conference, Lancers second**
- APU loses, Dixie State loses — Lancers rise to the top, Cougars and Red Storm tie for second
**CBU is one game behind APU and Dixie State
Either way, the three teams have clinched a PacWest Championship berth, which will be held in Irvine March 5-7.
Look for our breakdown of the conference tournament in the March 4 issue.