INDIANAPOLIS, IND. - The NCAA Division II men's basketball regional rankings were released Wednesday and in the first poll of the season, the Texans came in at No. 1 in the South Central region.

Tarleton is 21-3 on the year and 16-2 in the region.  The Texans' only losses have come against other top 10 teams in the region and Tarleton's strength of schedule is among the best in the nation.

The Texans are No. 1 ahead of Midwestern St. (16-2), Arkansas Tech (14-3), Northwest Missouri St. (15-3) and Washburn (15-6).  Missouri Southern, Central Missouri, West Texas A&M, Incarnate Word and Fort Hays St. round out the top 10.

This is the first of three regional rankings that will come out this season, a change from last year's format.

Tarleton is No. 5 in the national rankings and will fight for their positions against Eastern New Mexico Wednesday and West Texas A&M Saturday.

For more information regarding the 2011-12 Tarleton men's basketball season, check out TarletonSports.com.