St. Thomas Is Rising With Rare D3-d1 Jump. Ncaa Postseason Ban Makes Summit Tourney The Present Peak

One of the highest-scoring teams in the country has 22 wins, the No. 2 seed for its conference tournament - and no place to play after that.

For the University of St. Thomas, the accelerated transition to full-fledged NCAA Division I member is almost over. In their final year of postseason ineligibility following the rare jump from Division III, the Tommies must savor their limited taste of March Madness at the Summit League Tournament.

While snipping the nets this week might feel like a bittersweet title celebration, considering the treasured experience and invaluable exposure an NCAA Tournament appearance presents, the makeup and position of Minnesota's second Division I basketball program has given players, staff and supporters plenty of belief it can perennially contend for a spot on one of the biggest stages in sports.

"We're not really thinking about it right now, but in the future, definitely," freshman guard Nolan Minnesale said. "There's going to come to a time where we've got to take it to the next level, which would be March Madness."

St. Thomas is one of nine Division I schools still in their probationary period and ineligible for the NCAA Tournament this month. Queens University, which finished sixth in Atlantic Sun Conference play, is the only other men's team with a winning record. The other seven, entering Wednesday, are a combined 75-141.