INDIANAPOLIS – The IUP men's basketball team advanced to No. 2 in the second round of NCAA Division II regional rankings released Wednesday evening.  

The Crimson Hawks, who most recently improved their record to 22-5 with a victory over Pitt-Johnstown last Saturday, trail West Liberty (23-2) in the Atlantic Region.  Gannon (19-8) is right behind IUP in third place, with Mercyhurst (20-7) in fourth and Bowie St. (21-7) in fifth.  Fairmont St. (18-9) sits in sixth place, followed by Slippery Rock (16-9) in seventh and Concord (18-8) in eighth.  

Sitting outside the top eight are Glenville St. (17-9) and Wheeling Jesuit (17-8).  

IUP is holds a 3-4 record against top eight teams in the current regional rankings, including a win over Bowie State, season splits with Gannon and Slippery Rock, and a pair of losses to Mercyhurst.  

The NCAA regional rankings determine the post-season participants for the NCAA Division II Championships.  Eight teams will play in the Atlantic Regional.  Automatic berths will be granted to the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), the Mountain East Conference (MEC) and the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) champions.  Five teams will be granted at-large bids.  

The Crimson Hawks will hit the court Wednesday night for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff against the Clarion Golden Eagles.  They will then host the first round of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) tournament Saturday at the Kovalchick Complex.  Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m.