INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Daemen University is ranked No. 4 in the official
NCAA Division II Women's Basketball East Region rankings released Wednesday afternoon, putting themselves in contention for a potential bid to the 2026 NCAA Division II Championship. The NCAA announces 10-team rankings for each of the eight regions across the country for three successive weeks leading up to the NCAA Championship selection announcement, which will be made on Sunday, March 8.
With first-year head coach
Nate Beutel at the helm, the Wildcats have posted a 21-3 overall record this season, including a 20-2 mark against regional opponents. The Wildcats own three wins against teams included in the East Region rankings this week, headlined by a 75-62 road win Jan. 1 at top-ranked Bentley. Daemen has also knocked off No. 5 Holy Family and No. 8 Mercy.
The East Region of NCAA Division II is comprised of teams from the East Coast Conference, the Northeast-10 Conference and the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference. The eight-team NCAA East Regional —one of eight regional tournaments that comprise the 64-team NCAA Championship—will consist of three automatic berths and five at-large selections, and it takes place March 14-17 at a site that is yet to be determined. Daemen is bidding to host the East Regional for a second consecutive season.
Daemen has been ranked in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Division II poll for eight consecutive weeks, rising as high as No. 13 in the nation (currently ranked No. 15).
Daemen is back in action Wednesday evening, closing the regular season against Roberts Wesleyan (6 p.m. tip-off). A win would give the Wildcats at least a share of the ECC regular season championship - their seventh straight.
Daemen University features the premier NCAA Division II athletics program in the Buffalo-Niagara region, sponsoring 17 intercollegiate teams. For the latest information on Daemen Athletics, follow the Wildcats via social media on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram, or sign up to receive customizable news alerts, e-mail newsletters and weekly schedule alerts.
Follow the Daemen University men's basketball program on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @DaemenMBB.
