The Northwest Missouri State University men's basketball team remained ranked No. 1 in this week's NCAA Div. II Central Region rankings.
 
The Bearcats are among four MIAA teams that found spots in this week's regional rankings. Joining Northwest are No. 4 Central Oklahoma, No. 7 Emporia State and No. 10 Fort Hays State.
 
Northwest is 5-2 against teams ranked in the Central Region. The Bearcats have secured in-region top-10 ranked wins over Northern State, Central Oklahoma, Emporia State and Fort Hays State (twice).
 
The top eight teams in the Central Region, including three automatic selections of conference champions from the MIAA, the Northern Sun and the Great American Conference, will advance to the 2023 NCAA Division II Central Region Tournament set to take place March 11-14 at a site to be determined.

The NCAA Div. II selection show is set for Sunday at 10 p.m. on NCAA.com.
 
Central Region Rankings (as of March 1, 2023)
Rk.  Team (NCAA Div. II Overall Record, In-Region Record)
1.     Northwest Missouri State (25-2, 23-2)
2.     Northern State (23-5, 23-4)
3.    Southern Nazarene (25-3, 25-3)
4.    Central Oklahoma (20-4, 19-4)
5.     MSU Moorhead (23-6, 21-6)
6.     Minnesota Duluth (22-8, 21-8)
7.     Emporia State (20-7, 20-7)
8.     Sioux Falls (18-11, 18-11)
9.     Bemidji State (17-10, 17-10)
10.   Fort Hays State (17-8, 17-8)