SIOUX FALLS- The University of Sioux Falls Women's Basketball team, under 12th year head coach Travis Traphagen, has continued the program's promising trek upwards in all the national and regional polls released Monday and Tuesday. The Cougars, the winners of 22 in 2019-20, improved their record to 22-3 overall, and 15-3 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) with a home sweep of Northern State and MSU Moorhead. The Cougars have also put their "magic number" to win the NSIC South to one, with the opportunity to do so against Winona State, one of three teams to defeat Sioux Falls this season.
In the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) National Poll, released by the Lilburn, Ga., office on Tuesday, tabbed the Cougars 12th in the nation, a one-spot move from No. 13 a week ago. USF amassed 306 points, holding a 36-point lead over Virginia Union, and only 17 points behind No. 11 Walsh. The Cougars continue to be the highest-ranked team from the Central Region, with Central Missouri dropping to No. 24, and Nebraska-Kearney moving into a tie for No. 25. The Cougars have been in the Top 25 of the WBCA voters' ballots for 10 weeks straight now, all after their strong trip to Hawai'I in which they knocked off a stout Hawai'I Pacific team on their home court, still the sole loss for the No. 7 Sharks on the season.
In the D2SIDA National Poll, USF made a jump from No. 13 to No. 10, earning 234 points after their weekend sweep. The Cougars are again the top of the Central, with Central Missouri at No. 16 and Nebraska-Kearney at No. 22. Tuesday's release marks the ninth installment for USF to be in the Top 25 of the D2SIDA National Poll, including the previous six polls.
The Cougars made their return atop the final D2SIDA Regional Poll, earning 49 of 50 possible points in the poll, including four of the potential five first place votes. Capturing the final first place vote was Central Missouri, who dropped a recent road contest to Missouri Western. The Cougars have been in the Top 6 in the Central in all 12 polls, including five first-place rankings, three weeks at No. 2, and a week at No. 3.
As aforementioned, Monday's release will be the final of the D2SIDA regional polls, as the NCAA Regional Committee will release their first poll on Tues., Feb. 18. According to Turner Sports' Wayne Cavadi's Power 10 rankings release, Cavadi believes that if the tournament were to start today, that the Central Region would run through the Stewart Center.
The Cougars will look to make a strong impression this weekend when they travel to Winona State on Friday, and Upper Iowa on Saturday. A win in Winona, Minn., or Fayette, Iowa, would result in the Cougars clinching the NSIC South Division.
