Back-to-back Gulf South Conference Tournament titles is not the only motivation for the Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys this weekend.
The final NCAA Division II South Region rankings of the regular season were released on Wednesday, and Arkansas Tech (26-1) will enter the GSC Tournament ranked No. 1 in the region.
If the Wonder Boys can maintain that position through the conference tournament, Arkansas Tech will host the NCAA Division II Tournament South Regional in men’s basketball for the first time ever.
The regional is scheduled for March 13-16.
Florida Southern (24-3) is ranked second in the region. The Moccasins hosted the 2009 NCAA Division II South Regional and eliminated Arkansas Tech in the second round.
Valdosta State (3rd, 24-3), Clark Atlanta (4th, 22-5) Rollins College (5th, 22-5), Alabama-Huntsville (6th, 21-5), Delta State (7th, 19-7) and Eckerd College (8th, 18-8) also hold one of the coveted spots in the top eight of the region poll.
Only eight teams will be invited to the NCAA Division II Tournament South Regional.
Barry University, ranked ninth in the region, and Tuskegee University, ranked 10th in the region, are on the outside looking in right now. Both of those teams are 17-10 this season.
The selections and seedings for the 2010 NCAA Division II Tournament will be announced on Sunday, March 7.
Arkansas Tech is hosting a Selection Show Watch Party beginning at 8:30 p.m. Sunday in the W.O. Young Building Game Room. Refreshments will be served, and the public is invited.
The Wonder Boys open play in the GSC Tournament at 2:45 p.m. Friday against West Georgia (13-14).
Russellville radio station KWKK 100.9 FM and www.athletics.atu.edu will have live play-by-play coverage from the DeSoto Civic Center in Southaven, Miss.
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