FHSU Athletics
INDIANAPOLIS – The second set of NCAA Region Rankings were released on Wednesday (Feb. 25). Fort Hays State Men's Basketball currently sits eighth in the rankings, one of six MIAA teams referenced in the rankings. The rankings can shift week-to-week as future results affect the formulas for consideration.
For the NCAA regional ranking formula, only games against NCAA Division II schools are considered. Fort Hays State is 18-9 overall for the season, but have a record of 15-9 in the region ranking formula. Three of FHSU's games were against non-NCAA Division II schools.
According to the report for the Central Region linked at the bottom of the region rankings page on NCAA.com, Fort Hays State has the fourth-best strength of schedule among the teams in the top 10. The Tigers also rank seventh among the region in KPI, 12th in Region RPI, and 12th in performance indicator. Washburn leads the region in KPI, Region RPI, and performance indicator, which solidly puts the Ichabods as the No. 1 team in the region.
Fort Hays State seeks a third-straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers secured an automatic bid to the tournament last year by winning the MIAA Tournament.
Eight teams from the Central Region will be selected to compete in the Central Regional of the NCAA Tournament following the conclusion of conference tournaments. The region consists of teams from the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA), Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC), and Great American Conference (GAC). Champions from each of the three conference tournaments within the region receive automatic bids to the NCAA Tournament.
Aside from the MIAA having six teams among the top 10, the GAC has three and the NSIC has one.
Below is the NCAA Central Region Rankings for February 25, 2026.
Rank School Overall D2 Record In-Region Record
1 Washburn 24-1 20-1
2 Oklahoma Baptist 24-2 24-2
3 Central Missouri 20-8 17-6
4 Arkansas-Fort Smith 17-6 17-6
5 St. Cloud State 22-5 22-5
6 Missouri Western 17-10 17-9
7 Ouachita Baptist 17-6 17-6
8 Fort Hays State 15-9 15-9
9 Rogers State 15-9 15-9