Empire 8 Basketball Teams Ranked in NCAA East Region
For the first time this season, the NCAA released its regional basketball rankings and the Empire 8 Athletic Conference had two women's and one men's teams ranked in the East Region.
The NCAA regional rankings are based on the same criteria used to select and seed teams for the NCAA Championship Tournament.
The Ithaca women's basketball team is currently ranked second with an overall record of 18-2, its best start since a 19-2 streak opened the Bombers' 2003-04 season. Hartwick College is ranked eighth in the region with 16-4 overall record, with three loses coming against regionally ranked oppoents (New Paltz, Ithaca and St. Lawrence).
On the men's side, Stevens Institute of Technology is ranked third. The Ducks have only lost three games this season and recently returned to the D3hoops.com top 25 national poll.
Women's Basketball
East Region
1 New Paltz 18-2, 18-2
2 Ithaca 17-2, 18-2
3 Rochester 15-5, 15-5
4 Oswego State 14-5, 14-6
5 Geneseo 14-5, 15-5
6 St. Lawrence 14-5, 15-5
7 Vassar 14-4, 16-4
8 Hartwick 13-3 16-4
Men's Basketball
East Region
1 Rochester 18-1, 19-1
2 Cortland State 17-2, 18-3
3 Stevens 15-3, 17-3
4 New York University 13-7, 13-7
5 Hobart 12-6, 13-6
6 Geneseo State 14-6, 14-7
The first record is in-region record, followed by overall record (at time of rankings)