The DII women’s basketball season is heating up as conference championships are underway. The Power 10 rankings saw some reshuffling this week, with Ashland, Drury, and Tampa still holding tight to the top three spots. However, Minnesota Duluth made an impressive leap from the “First five out” to the No. 4 spot. The Bulldogs are statistically the best team in the Central Region, which is stacked with top teams like Nebraska-Kearney, Central Missouri, and Minnesota State. Glenville State, Grand Valley State, and Cal State Dominguez Hills also moved up in the rankings, while Western Washington dropped to No. 8 after a two-point loss to Montana.
The Eagles of Ashland still hold the top spot, with a perfect 27-0 record and the top-scoring offense in DII women’s basketball, beating opponents by an average of 28.1 points per game. Drury follows at No. 2, with only one loss to Ashland, and Tampa remains at No. 3 after defeating nationally ranked Eckerd and Nova Southeastern. The Spartans are on a 14-game winning streak and are determined to avoid a first-round upset in the tournament this year.
Minnesota Duluth’s impressive performance this season is the reason for its sudden rise in the rankings. With a record of 24-3, the Bulldogs are statistically the best team in the Central Region and are ready to make a mess of the regional rankings. Glenville State, the top team in the Atlantic, moved up to No. 5, while Grand Valley State moved up to No. 6 after a 17-point victory over Michigan Tech. Cal State Dominguez Hills made the biggest jump, moving from No. 10 to No. 7 after a commanding 10-point victory over Cal State San Marcos. The Toros have a remarkable story this season, with a 25-1 record after finishing 13-12 last year, making them one of the best, if not the best, turnaround stories in DII history.
With conference championships underway, every team has a chance to earn an automatic bid to the DII women’s basketball tournament. The regional rankings give a preview of what the bracket will look like, but nothing is guaranteed, and upsets can happen. The Power 10 rankings take into account regional metrics and statistical leaders, but they also allow for the traditional eye test. As the season enters its final stretch, fans can expect more excitement and surprises along the way.
