COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Benedict Tigers have taken over the top spot in Super Region 2, in the latest NCAA Power Index (NPI) released on Sunday.
 
Following their 45-38 victory over Central State, the previous No. 2 team in last week's rankings, the Tigers climbed two spots to take over the No. 1 position. Benedict now has 62.956 points, which is not only the most in Super Region 2, but the seventh-most in Division II.
 
Kentucky State, the team Benedict will face in Saturday's SIAC Championship game, dropped out of the top spot to No.2, despite a 34-10 victory over Morehouse on Saturday. The Thorobreds have 62.150 points.
 
Valdosta State from the Gulf South Conference jumped from seventh to third, following their 49-33 victory over North Greenville with 60.263 points. Central State is now fourth with 58.896 points, followed by a pair of schools from the South Atlantic Conference. Carson-Newman is fifth with 57.861 points, followed by Newberry with 57.423 points. Newberry defeated Carson-Newman 23-21 on Saturday.
 
The rest of the top 10 includes North Greenville (57.342) and UNC Pembroke (56.356) from Conference Carolinas, then Edward Waters (56.121) and Miles (53.831) from the SIAC.
 
On Sunday, Nov. 15, the NCAA will select 32 total teams, with eight teams from Super Region 2, to advance to the NCAA Division 2 national championship tournament. The conference champions from the SIAC, SAC, Conference Carolinas, and Gulf South Conference will earn automatic bids, with four more at-large invitations.
 
First-round games will be played Saturday, Nov. 21 at on-campus sites.
 
The NCAA Division II championship game will be Dec. 19 in McKinney, Texas.