The Northwest Missouri State University men's basketball team dropped one slot to No. 5 in this week's NCAA Division II Central Region rankings.

The MIAA has four teams ranked in the top nine in the Central Region with Central Oklahoma (No. 4), Northwest (No. 5), Fort Hays State (No. 7) and Washburn (No. 9). The Central Region consists of teams from the MIAA, NSIC and GAC.

The top eight teams in the Central Region will earn a spot into the 2022 NCAA Division II Tournament. The NCAA Division II Selection Show is set to air on NCAA.com at 9:30 p.m. (CT) on Sunday, March 6. The eight regional championships will be played at host sites on March 12, 13 and 15. The NCAA Elite Eight will take place on March 22, 24, 26 at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana.  

NCAA Central Region Rankings (Feb. 23)
1. Augustana                     21-2
2. Upper Iowa                    24-4
3. Minnesota Duluth          22-4
4. Central Oklahoma         20-4
5. Northwest Mo. St.          21-4
6. Southeastern Okla. St.  19-5
7. Fort Hays State             18-4
8. Oklahoma Baptist          19-7
9. Washburn.                     15-9
10. Northern State             18-11