Another week, another new No. 1 in the DII men’s basketball Power 10 rankings

In the previous Power 10 rankings, I said, “If Minnesota State wasn’t undefeated, I think the Buffs are the top team in DII men’s basketball. To be honest, they still may be.” Well, since then Minnesota State has lost, the Buffs are still rolling, and are now indeed, the No. 1 team in the DII men’s basketball Power 10 rankings. 

It is the second week in a row that we have a first-timer in the No. 1 spot. West Texas A&M is a cool 18-1, but more on the Buffs in just a minute. There is also the wildest tie I’ve ever had in the Power 10 rankings… but more on that in a few. Here is your weekly reminder: The Power 10 rankings are mine and mine alone — there is no voting body, just me, some stats and a whole bunch of notes. I attempt to mesh the good ol’ eye test with some of the numbers the selection committee uses to fill the bracket in March. It is also important to note that the only games that matter to me are those played against DII competition.

As I mentioned in the initial Power 10 rankings, this season I will be 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. 

DII MEN’S BASKETBALL CENTRAL:

The third DII men’s basketball Power 10 for 2024 (through 1/27/24)

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

Since 2018 the Buffs are 173-26 with three DII Men’s Elite Eight appearances and one national runners-up campaign. So, it is somewhat unbelievable that this is the first time in history West Texas A&M is seeing the No. 1 spot in several polls. But it is well deserved. The Buffs are the No. 1 unquestioned spot in the South Central (which is the toughest region this year in my opinion) after their most recent 14-point win over DBU. It’s even more impressive when you think that the Buffs lone loss was by a mere point 16 games ago. There are just too many weapons to contain on this team, and it will make them tough for the rest of the season. 

No. 2 Minnesota State | Previous: 1

Yes, the Mavericks lost their first game of the season — and at the hands of a streaking and nationally ranked Minot State — but they bounced back with a key NSIC victory over then-Power 10 MSU Moorhead. Minnesota State still has the top RPI and PI in the Central, which is a deeper region than the South or West, giving the Mavericks a slight edge over Saint Martin’s or Nova Southeastern for now. Yet another big matchup against Minnesota Duluth…