This week in DII sports

Welcome to the third edition of the official DII Newsletter from Wayne Cavadi and TNT Sports. It's nearly March, so this week, I dissect the DII men's and women's basketball scene. Don't forget, help spread the word and please forward this link (and check the DII Newsletter box) to anyone you think should be getting this newsletter in their inbox every Tuesday. 

Another friendly reminder: I am always looking for stories and student-athletes to highlight. Please send any top performances, stories, news or notes to me at Wayne.Cavadi@WBD.com.

Thanks, now on to Week 3.

A shark attack hits the DII men's basketball Power 10

Welcome to crunch time. Conference tournaments are getting underway, while several conferences are wrapping up regular-season play with crucial matchups this week. A bevy of losses in the top 15 — including a big upset of then-No. 1 West Texas A&M not only led to a shakeup in the Power 10 but made selecting the bottom half very difficult. 

Your weekly reminder: The Power 10 rankings are mine, my insane spreadsheets, the ol’ eye test, and some stats. This season I have been using stats from InkblotSports. You can see those metrics — which include RPI and PI amongst other selection metrics — here or join the Inkblot Sports Patreon here. 

The fifth DII men's basketball Power 10 for 2024 (through 2/24/24)

No. 1 Nova Southeastern | Previous: 3

The defending champs are rolling, now 22-2 and winners of 10 in a row. That most recent win was a 30-point win over regionally ranked Florida Southern. The Sharks are doing Sharks things, scoring more than 100 points per game and leading DII in turnover margin and scoring margin. They have two winnable games before the SSC tournament begins and are full steam ahead for another run in the bracket. 

No. 2 West Texas A&M| Previous: 1

Yes, I am aware that West Texas A&M dropped a game. Do you know how many one-loss and undefeated teams there are in DII men’s basketball? None. How about two-loss teams? Just five. So, sure, the Buffs lost their second game of the year, but here’s another did you know: both losses are by a total of two points. Despite the loss, West Texas A&M has the top RPI and PI in the South Central, which may very well be the toughest region this year. So yes, these Buffs are still one of the best teams in DII. 

No. 3 Minnesota State | Previous: 2

Minnesota State finished the regular season 26-2 amid a seven-game winning streak. The Mavericks won their fifth NSIC title and set the single-season program record for wins. Malik Willingham is on the Bevo Francis top 50 watch list (18.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game). They also possess the top RPI and PI in a deep Central Region against a tough SOS. It’s tough to say the Mavericks are the team to beat in the Central, but for now, it appears the road to the DII Men’s Elite Eight goes through Mankato.

No. 4 Fort Lewis | Previous: 5

The Skyhawks just keep winning, now on a 12-game winning streak to improve to 24-2 on the season. The only thing holding them back from the top 3 is SOS, but this team is rolling, second in the RMAC in both scoring offense (86.2 points per game) and scoring defense (71.0 points allowed per game). It will be tough to capture the No. 1 seed in the South Central, but if they do it’s a huge advantage as the Skyhawks are undefeated on their home court this year. 

No. 5 Northwest Missouri State | Previous: 8

Northwest Missouri State last lost way back on Jan. 13 to Missouri Western. The Bearcats avenged that loss, beating the Griffons this past weekend to extend their winning streak to 11. This is starting to look like the Bearcats we have come to know — the Bearcats own the second-best scoring defense in DII men’s basketball allowing fewer than 60 points per game and are winning tight ball games against MIAA’s toughest teams. Wes Dreamer is a Bevo Francis top 50 member and is putting up career highs pretty much across the board. 

No. 6 Gannon | Previous: 6

The Golden Knights are now 25-2 and winners of their last 14 in a row. It has been a remarkable and historic turnaround, as Gannon was a mere 3-23 last year, posting nearly the complete opposite record. They have been consistent since game one, leading DII men’s basketball in scoring (104.6 points per game) and top-2 in turnover margin the entire way. 

No. 7 Colorado Mesa | Previous: 9 

Like Fort Lewis, the Mavericks are 19-1 in the RMAC and have a better RPI than the Skyhawks. However, Fort Lewis holds the head-to-head over Colorado Mesa, and that’s what currently separates the two. The Mavericks have won eight in a row, including a blowout of Colorado School of Mines and an 11-point win over MSU Denver, two teams in the South Central bracket hunt. They hold the No. 2 RPI and PI in the South Central and have been in the Power 10 since the preseason for a reason. 

No. 8 Cal (PA) | Previous: First five out

The Vulcans have a 23-3 record and are now on a five-game win streak. Take away the loss to Gannon (who the Vulcans walloped earlier this season) and this team has won eight of nine and are gelling at the right time. They have played a tougher SOS than both Charleston (WV) and East Stroudsburg (the two teams chasing them in the region) and have the No. 2 RPI and PI in the Atlantic. They also have KJ McClurg (22.7 points per game) leading a starting five in which every player scores in double digits. 

No. 9 Minnesota Duluth | Previous: First five out

The Bulldogs were in the preseason Power 10 and are now looking like the team that got them that ranking. Minnesota Duluth closed out the regular season on an 11-game winning streak and that includes a win over Minnesota State, Minot State and Augustana (SD) — all regionally ranked teams. This starting five is senior-laden and now, back in the postseason following a historic run to the DII Men’s Elite Eight, the experience will be a huge advantage. 

No. 10 Charleston (WV) | Previous: Not ranked

This spot came down to the Golden Eagles, MSU Moorhead and DBU. So, why Charleston? The Golden Eagles are on a nine-game winning streak and have wins against regionally ranked West Liberty and Fairmont State over that span. They already concluded a sweep of regionally ranked Concord, and if they can beat West Virginia State this coming Saturday, they’ll have at least one win against every MEC heavyweight. They are also streaking amid a nine-game winning streak and feel like they could make a surprise run deep into the tourney. 

The first five (ish) out (listed alphabetically): Cal State San Bernardino, DBU, MSU Moorhead, Millersville, (final three spots were a tie) Lander, West Georgia, West Liberty.

8 DII women's basketball teams that are hot at the right time

When the DII women’s basketball season tips off in November, all 290-plus teams have the same goal: to make the DII women’s basketball championship bracket. While we keep close tabs on the Power 10 rankings each week, it is important to remember that sometimes it isn’t the best teams that make deep runs in the tournament, but those with the most momentum.

Here are eight teams that aren’t in the Power 10 or national top-15 conversation but could wreak havoc if they get into the bracket.

(All games and stats through Sunday, Feb. 25.)

Adams State. The Grizzlies have now won seven in a row, with a thrilling one-point victory over nationally ranked Colorado School of Mines to start the winning streak. Adams State is now 21-4 and in the regional rankings and it shows how far this program has come. Last year was the Grizzlies' first 20-win season since 2010-11, which was also the last time they made the NCAA tournament. From 2012-22, the Grizzlies averaged 5.6 wins per season. This team continues to pick up momentum, and if it sneaks into the tournament, Adams State could be a headache for others. 

Colorado-Colorado Springs. The Mountain Lions were 10-18 a year ago, so a tip of the hat to head coach Misty Wilson for the quick turnaround in her first season at the helm. UCCS is now 19-7 and has won eight games in a row including a massive regional and RMAC win over top-10 Colorado Mesa on Feb. 10. Amyah Moore Allen has been playing some of her best basketball of late, averaging 17.5 points per game over the winning streak. The Mountain Lions have already assured themselves their first winning season in seven years, need one more win to reach their fifth-ever 20-win season, and if they win out in the regular season, they’ll need four postseason wins to match their best single-season win total ever.

Fairmont State. The Fighting Falcons have the third-best RPI in the Atlantic and are looking like a potential force this March. While their current winning streak is a small one at a mere five games, it includes two tightly contested victories over West Virginia State and Wheeling, both of which were, like Fairmont State, “under consideration” in the first regional rankings. They also have won earlier this season against Indiana (PA) and Lock Haven, which are also in the regional rankings, so they have quite the resume. Alyssa DeAngelo is one of the best scorers in DII and Katy Darnell and Jalen Gibbs round out a tough Big Three, able to score and rebound with the best of the MEC.

Lock Haven. What a story the Bald Eagles are for the 2024 season. Coming off an 11-17 record last year and a 14-14 record a year before that, Lock Haven has nearly matched its win total of the past two years at an impressive 24-2 mark. The Bald Eagles have won 24 of their last 25 games with wins over regionally-ranked Cal (PA), Indiana (PA) and West Chester (which is also responsible for Lock Haven’s lone loss in the last three months). The Bald Eagles have a top-20 defense in DII women’s basketball and Alana Robinson is a real player to watch, leading the team in rebounds and blocks while chipping in 13.8 points per game. With two more winnable games ahead, the Bald Eagles could be rolling into the tricky PSAC tournament with a ton of momentum.

Missouri Western. I can’t figure out why more people aren’t talking up the Griffons as a top-10 team, especially coming off the season sweep of regionally ranked Northwest Missouri State. They have won 12 in a row — only one of those wins was even close — and that includes resume-building wins against Central Missouri, Fort Hays State, and both those matchups against Northwest Missouri State. They are winning games by more than 18 points — a top-10 mark in DII women’s basketball — and don’t rely on one standout scorer. That depth makes them dangerous.

Northern Michigan. The Wildcats are now 18-7 and are amid a six-game winning streak heading into a matchup with Grand Valley State this week. Of their six current wins in a row, two were against regionally ranked teams, taking down Wisconsin-Parkside by 11 and Michigan Tech by 25. Those are the kind of meaningful wins down the stretch you need to see, especially in a Midwest Region loaded at the top. Makaylee Kuhn has quietly put together a strong season, leading the GLIAC in scoring and has been particularly strong of late, averaging 21 points and 7.3 rebounds over the six-game streak. We’ll see if this offense can score against that smothering Grand Valley State defense this week.

Northwood. The Timberwolves are on a seven-game winning streak and are sitting at 18-7, a nice improvement over last year’s 14-14 finish. This team challenged itself early with back-to-back non-conference matchups against Ferris State and Grand Valley State, and although they lost, it seemed to put them on the right path. They have two winnable games left, which would give the Timberwolves their first 20-win season in more than a decade, going back to the 2008-09 season. Winning the G-MAC tournament is no easy task with the best team in DII women’s basketball (Ashland) in the way, but a deep run could give the Wolves a chance to shake things up in March.

West Chester. The Golden Rams are now 21-5 and cruising on a 13-game winning streak. They are fueled by a top-10 scoring defense in DII women’s basketball, but offensively spread opponents thin with Emily McAteer, Michelle Kozicki and Leah Johnson as a dangerous trio as any in the region, each with double-digit points per game as well as each averaging more than five rebounds per game. Johnson also leads the PSAC in assists and assist-to-turnover ratio by a wide margin. West Chester has the pieces in place to create chaos in the Atlantic Region.

BONUS — watch out for these two. Neither Mercy nor Lewis were in the first regional rankings, but Mercy has won eight in a row and Lewis extended its streak to seven in a row. Can they make a run into the regional rankings, and perhaps even the bracket? Both teams have the momentum; it will be interesting to watch.

👀 What Wayne's Watching 👀

🏆 TOURNEY TIME! 🏆

• CIAA men's and women's basketball tournament, Feb. 26-March 2
• NSIC men's and women's basketball tournament, March 2-5
• SIAC men's and women's basketball tournament, March 3-10

🏊 DII men's and women's swimming and diving championships selections, Wednesday, Feb. 28: Follow here.

🤼‍♀️  DII wrestling super regionals begin March 2. See the selections and follow the results here. 

🏃🏻‍♀️ DII men's and women's track and field championships selections are Tues., Feb. 27. See the schedule and selections here. 

KEY 🏀 MATCHUPS IN THE FINAL WEEK OF THE REGULAR SEASON:

Men’s basketball:

• West Texas A&M at Lubbock Christian, Thurs., Feb. 29
• Lander at USC Aiken, Sat., March 2
• Fort Lewis at Colorado School of Mines, Sat., March 2

Women’s basketball:

• Texas Woman's at UT Tyler, Thurs., Feb. 29
• Frostburg State at Fairmont State, Sat., March 2 
• Northwest Missouri State at Missouri Southern, Sat., March 2
• Missouri Western at Pittsburg State, Sat., March 2

👀 WHAT ELSE TO WATCH

Baseball

• RussMatt Central Florida Invitational at Northeast Regional Park in Florida, Feb 28-March 5 (Ashland, Minnesota State, Embry-Riddle, Seton Hill among others)
• Goldey-Beacom at Millersville, March 2-3
• UIndy at Georgia Southwestern, Feb. 23-25

Softball

• West Alabama at UAM, March 1-2
• Harding at Southern Arkansas, March 1-2

DII lacrosse

• MEN'S: St. Anselm at Bentley, Sat. March 2
• WOMEN'S: Wingate at Florida Southern, Sat. Mar. 2

Stars of the Week

UNC Pembroke's Scott Joll continues to lead the DII wrestling Most Dominant Wrestler award list with an average of 5.43 points. Ty McGeary of West Liberty is right behind at 5.2. Joll is also tied with Anthony Yacovetti of Lander with 13 falls, while Max Shore of Tiffin leads DII with 12 tech falls. 

Sydnee Reaves of Montevallo softball had a big doubleheader on Saturday. She homered four times in the Saturday sweep of Christian Brothers. Her three home runs in Game 2 tied the single-game mark for the 2024 season so far. Reaves started 24 games as a freshman last year and hit nine home runs and nearly halved that total in one day... and it's only February. 

In DII men's swimming and diving news, Cedric Buessing of No. 1 UIndy, set a new GLVC Championships record with an 8:57:18 men's 1000. It was his third straight year taking gold in the event and he was later named GLVC swimmer of the year, joining teammate Julio Osuna who was named GLVC diver of the year. 

Make it two weeks in a row for Minnesota State's Denisha Cartwright. This weekend, she helped lead the Mavericks to their fourth-straight NSIC women's indoor track and field title and crushed the DII record in the 60-meter hurdles with a 7.93-second time. It was the third fastest time in all college track and field this year. Teammate Flore Gracia set the NSIC record in the triple jump this past weekend as well. 

On the Radar

• DII indoor track championships, March 8-9
• Men’s and women's basketball selection show, Sunday, March 10
• DII swimming and diving championships, March 12-16
• DII wrestling championships, March 15-16
• The 2024 DII Championships Festival (Spring), May 19-25

Did I miss someone or something? It sure is possible. Don’t forget to drop me a line at Wayne.Cavadi@WBD.com and get your stars of the week in by every Monday.