MIAC Power Rankings For Sunday 1-18-15

Another wild week in conference play has shaken up today's power rankings.


1.  UST
2.  GAC
3.  Bethel
4.  SMU
5.  Hamline
6.  CSB
7.  Concordia
8.  St. Olaf
9.  Augsburg
10.  Carleton
11.  St. Kate's
12.  Macalester




The Tommies maintain their stranglehold at the top spot.  Despite a less than stellar performance this last Wednesday night at St. Kate's, UST came back on Saturday and performed their usual demolition job with Hamline being the victim.  So, while there's no doubt at the top spot, don't look now, but here come the Gusties.  Here come the Gusties.  Victorious in two huge games this last week, including yesterday's thriller at CSB, GAC has a firm hold on the second spot and I'm beginning to think more and more that they can hold it and make big things happen for them the rest of the way and their remaining schedule - at least to me anyway - seems to suggest just that.  They're finding ways to win most of those close games and that confidence will be huge for them going into the home stretch.


After this, it gets very tricky again because, if you look at the conference standings there is a logjam for fourth place in the conference and it is a little deceiving, IMHO.  Bethel gets the nod at the third spot after taking my advice from last Sunday - and getting their act together although a huge game awaits them on Wednesday night against the aforementioned GAC team that may very well be the hottest thing in the MIAC right now.  SMU appears to be in good shape despite the loss of Pethke as they were able to take care of business this last week and the Cardinals follow up in the fourth spot.  I can forgive the blowout loss the Pipers suffered at the hands of mighty UST but Hamline has to be careful to not let that bad taste linger too long as big roadies at both Concordia and SMU await.  I'll give CSB the sixth spot despite two heartbreaking losses this last week.  They're close.  They're just not getting over right now.  Meanwhile, up in Moorhead, Tom Petty's "Free Fallin" must be the popular tune right now as the Cobbers have gone into an utter tailspin; dropping three straight.  While I can forgive the road losses at both UST and GAC, yesterday's debacle at Augsburg was a head-scratcher to say the least.  And although I was laid-up with the flu this weekend; relegated to watching games online, it was evident that the Cobbers looked flat and lethargic; unable to ignite much of a spark offensively and making mistakes on defense that would make former Cobber greats roll their eyes with disgust.  If Concordia is going to make a stand, they have to figure things out NOW.  They have a four-game homestand over the next two weeks and they'd bloody well better make the most of it if they want to avoid being on the outside looking in. 


With wins at both Augsburg and St. Kate's, the Oles have got themselves back into contention for the playoffs although a roadie to the Purple Empire awaits Wednesday night.  Augsburg is still hanging in there with that win over Concordia but the road ahead is difficult to say the least:  At Hamline on Wednesday night and then a home date next week Saturday with SMU.