FROM STAFF REPORTS

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The University of Montevallo men’s basketball team is ranked No. 8 in the initial NCAA Division II Southeast Region rankings, which will determine the teams that advance to the NCAA Division II men’s basketball tournament.

The top eight teams from each of the eight regions advance to the NCAA Division II tournament at the end of the season. The rankings will be released each week for the next three weeks, with the final rankings serving as seeding for the NCAA Division II Southeast Region tournament.

The Falcons (16-8 overall, 12-5 in Peach Belt Conference) are looking for their fourth consecutive trip to the NCAA Division II tournament. Montevallo has advanced to the NCAA Division II tournament in seven of the past nine seasons under coach Danny Young.

Montevallo finished the 2011-2012 season as the No. 1 team in the Southeast Region. The Falcons hosted the Southeast Region tournament and claimed the tournament championship as they advanced to the NCAA Division II national championship game for the first time in school history.

Montevallo is one of three Peach Belt Conference teams ranked in the initial NCAA Division II Southeast Region rankings. The Falcons lead the Peach Belt Conference West Division standings.

East Division leader USC Aiken (17-6 overall, 13-3 in Peach Belt Conference) is the top-ranked team in the NCAA Division II Southeast Region rankings. UNC Pembroke (17-8 overall, 10-5 in Peach Belt Conference) is ranked No. 6 in the initial rankings.

Lincoln Memorial University is ranked No. 2, followed by King College (Tenn.), Barton College and Wingate University in the top five. Belmont Abbey College is ranked No. 7 in the initial NCAA Division II Southeast Region rankings.

The Falcons return to action Saturday, Feb. 23 with a trip to Milledgeville, Ga. to face Georgia College in a Peach Belt Conference contest. Tip off is set for 4:30 p.m. CST.