The common season is within the books and convention tournaments have been accomplished. There are simply 64 groups remaining within the 2022 DII males’s basketball season.
Let’s have a look at the ten finest heading into the event.
Bear in mind, these are my rankings, and mine alone. The DII males’s basketball Energy 10 rankings is a mixture of total information, perception from coaches, SIDs and insiders and a dive into the metrics and numbers that get groups into the event. The following Energy 10 will probably be as soon as the event is accomplished.
The DII males’s basketball Energy 10 rankings (All video games by means of Mar. 6)
No. 1 Nova Southeastern | Earlier: 1
The one straightforward choose within the prime 10. The Sharks are 28-0 and took down Barry to win their first-ever Sunshine State Convention event title. They don’t have a single finest participant as a result of they’ve 4 of one of the best gamers in DII proper now. Nova Southeastern leads DII in steals, assists and each turnover and scoring margin. Merely put, the Sharks shoot effectively and defend effectively and will probably be robust to cease within the South Area.
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No. 2 (tie) Indiana (Pa) and West Liberty | Earlier: 2 (tied)
There wasn’t a lot separating Indiana (Pa) and West Liberty within the final Energy 10 and never a lot has modified. The Crimson Hawks had the highest RPI within the area whereas West Liberty had the highest efficiency indicator. Their energy of schedule was separated by .04 factors in Indiana’s favor. These two are as shut because it will get. The Crimson Hawks received the PSAC, and it was sufficient to overhaul West Liberty at No. 1 within the Atlantic. In fact, West Liberty has that high-octane offense powered by an arguably extra high-powered protection. These two appear to be they’re on a collision course to the Atlantic Area last.
No. 4 Queens (NC) | Earlier: First 5 out
The Royals are the large jumpers within the rankings. Why does Queens bounce from exterior the Energy 10 all the way in which to No. 4? If you happen to examine the Royals to the earlier No. 4, Augustana (SD), their choice metrics are fairly comparable: each have been 7-2 towards ranked DII opponents, and each had an RPI north of .600 and a PI increased than 31. The distinction is, Queens received its convention and is rolling into the Southeast Area as winners of 15 straight.
No. 5 Augustana (SD) | Earlier: 4
The numbers behind the Vikings have been simply mentioned, so it’s obvious how nice a season they’d. Regardless of dropping within the NSIC semifinals to upstart MSU Moorhead, the Vikings nonetheless earned the No. 1 seed within the Central — part of the bracket that has greater than half its groups within the prime 18 within the nation. Tyler Riemersma is among the finest gamers within the land, however the beginning 5 is among the hardest and deepest in DII.
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No. 6 Lubbock Christian | Earlier: 5
What a season for the Chaps. They took an undefeated run into February and have been dominant all through the whole season. You possibly can have a look at the loss within the LSC semifinals and suppose the Chaps could also be undeserving of this rating, however that doesn’t inform the entire story. Lubbock Christian was down 13 on the half and got here storming all the way in which again, dropping to a Texas A&M-Kingsville 3-pointer within the closing seconds. Robust loss? It completely was, however it additionally looks as if the sort of loss the fuels a hearth.
No. 7 Augusta | Earlier: 8
The Jaguars are the highest seed within the Southeast, and when you watched the choice present, that’s a powerful feat. Augusta received the Peach Belt event by defeating two fellow Southeast Area groups (Columbus State and Flagler) by double digits. Pair these victories with a 14-game profitable streak and you’ve got a staff with plenty of momentum. Tyshaun Crawford capped off his PBC co-player-of-the-year season with event MVP honors and is among the extra game-changing gamers within the NCAA DII event.
No. 8 Cal State San Marcos | Earlier: NR
The CCAA was one of many extra enjoyable conferences to observe all season, with three groups hovering across the top-10 on a weekly foundation. The Cougars have been considered one of them and capped off their 20-win season with back-to-back wins over Cal State San Bernardino and Chico State. It was the first-ever CCAA event title for CSUSM. That’s fairly a powerful turnaround from the 12-16 2019-20 season (the CCAA by no means resumed play final 12 months). Everybody speaks about momentum this 12 months, and the Cougars have plenty of it.
No. 9 Northwest Missouri State | Earlier: NR
The Bearcats fought by means of a five-loss season to win the MIAA event with some gritty, hard-fought battles towards Fort Hays State and Washburn. Whereas a five-loss season doesn’t appear to be a giant deal to many, it was extra losses than the star backcourt of Trevor Hudgins and Diego Bernard skilled of their first three seasons in Maryville. That led many to marvel if this Bearcat staff had what it takes to win their third title in a row. Spoiler alert: Sure… sure, they do.
No. 10 Cal State San Bernardino | Earlier: 7
The Coyotes had a terrific season, ending 23-3. The one three losses have been to the opposite two components of that CCAA three-headed monster we talked about earlier — Chico State and CSUSM. This was the top-scoring staff within the CCAA by a big margin and Brandon Knapper — who was sturdy all season — is getting into the event on a tear: He’s scored 38, 33 and 34 factors in his three video games heading into the ‘Yotes first-round matchup.
First 5 out (in alphabetical order)
Bentley: The Falcons have flown underneath the radar for the majority of the season, however this staff is sweet and poised for a deep run in a wide-open East Area. They led the NE10 in nearly each key offensive class, together with offensive effectivity. That’s harmful in March.
Chico State: The Wildcats have fairly a couple of elder statesmen who determined to return for another run. Chico State has had an important season and swept the Coyotes however merely couldn’t resolve the Cougars. The Wildcats ought to assist make the West a enjoyable area to observe.
Lincoln Memorial: A lot for a rebuilding 12 months. The Railsplitters didn’t skip a beat regardless of the roster seeing plenty of turnover and a brand new head coach. They completed 25-4 and the No. 3 seed in that difficult Southeast.
Minnesota Duluth: Sure, the Bulldogs misplaced within the NSIC finals, however in addition they didn’t have Austin Andrews. Andrew was the most effective gamers in DII all season — and this staff nonetheless fought till the top. If Andrews can get wholesome, this is among the deepest scoring groups you’ll discover within the tourney.
West Texas A&M: See Lincoln Memorial. The Buffs misplaced a lot expertise, together with two of one of the best gamers in all DII, and right here they’re, Lone Star Convention champions as soon as once more. Exterior of the Bearcats and West Liberty, there isn’t a extra constant staff within the DII event the previous few seasons, because the Buffs are searching for their fourth-straight journey to the DII Males’s Elite Eight.
