The Minot State University (MSU) men’s basketball team returns to their home court after two tough weekends on the road and the Beavers remain one of the best teams in the nation according to the national polls.

After splitting on the road last weekend, the MSU men (18-3 overall, 9-3 NSIC) slipped in the latest NABC coaches’ poll to No. 22 in the nation as the Beavers prepare to host Concordia, St. Paul this Friday night and Minnesota Duluth on Saturday. The Beavers also fell four spots to No. 18 in the latest D2CSC Top 25 poll voted on by the nation’s college sports communicators.

Both the Golden Bears (14-4, 9-3) and Bulldogs (12-5, 7-4) received votes in the NABC poll and were among the teams in “others receiving votes,” just outside the Top 25. Each received 10 points.

Fellow Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) foe Southwest Minnesota State (15-3, 10-2) is No. 15 in the latest poll, the only other team from the NSIC in the Top 25. The Mustangs collected 140 points in the poll and climbed seven spots from No. 22 last week.

The Beavers received 70 points in the latest poll as they slipped from No. 14 in last week’s poll.

Minot State climbed to a program-best No. 4 in the nation this season and has been ranked in seven consecutive NABC polls this winter.

The top three in the NABC poll remained the same with unbeaten Washburn (Kan.) (17-0) at No. 1 and unbeaten Daemen (N.Y.) (16-0) at No. 2, while Nova Southeastern (Fla.) (16-1) held onto the No. 3 spot.

Alabama Huntsville (16-1) moved up one spot to No. 4 and Findlay (Ohio) (16-1) climbed from No. 9 to the No. 5 spot.

MSU received 93 points in the D2CSC Top 25 poll as they now have been in the poll for four consecutive rankings.

Southwest Minnesota State climbed to No. 10 in the D2CSCS poll with 199 points, up three spots, and Concordia, St. Paul collected 6 points and was listed in “others receiving votes.”

Washburn was No. 1 in the D2CSC poll followed by No. 2 Nova Southeastern, No. 3 Daemen, No. 4 Ferris State (Mich.) (17-2), and No. 5 Alabama Huntsville.