MIAC Power Rankings For Sunday 1-17-16

Another somewhat unpredictable week in the MIAC with some unexpected results here and there but a few more things are clearing up as well:

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


I grudgingly give the Cardinals the nod at the top of my power rankings this week but the gap between them and UST is almost non-existent by virtue of the Tommies 76-67 win yesterday down in Winona.  I'm not saying that SMU can't recover from this and you still have to think that they'll be in the mix for top honors but it's likely only a matter of time before UST regains the king of the mountain status.  The Gusties did what they were supposed to this last week; knocking off both St. Kate's and Carleton and they have two winnable games at home this next week with CSB on Wednesday and Augsburg on Saturday.

Speaking of the Blazers, they came away with a split this last week but a big win at Augsburg yesterday bolstered their hopes.  But two stern road tests await them this coming week - at GAC on Wednesday night and then at St. Olaf on Saturday.  Bethel remains mired in the fifth spot on this day.  Just when you THOUGHT that they had turned the corner with that big win at UST last weekend, they turn around on Wednesday night and drop a 58-56 heartbreaker at Augsburg.  They recovered nicely as expected and took care of business against Hamline but those high expectations coming into this season have to be out the window now.  The Cobbers came away with a split as well last week but they have a big opportunity to make amends with their next three games all in the friendly confines of Memorial Auditorium and this is where Concordia absolutely has to take care of business to solidify their shaky playoff status.

St. Olaf capped off a good week with their win at St. Kate's yesterday and they showed they can be very dangerous if Afton Wolter is on fire from behind the arc and if Betsey Daly can keep the glass clean.  The Oles have two home games coming up this week but, unfortunately for them, they're against two of the upper echelon teams - UST on Wednesday night and CSB on Saturday.  My feeling is that the Oles are going to have to come away with at least a split this coming week to keep the flame of their playoff hopes flickering.  Augsburg had yet another golden opportunity to record a huge week.  They upset Bethel on Wednesday night for their third straight win and seemingly had momentum going their way but then came out on the short end of the stick yesterday at home with CSB.  They have to at least come out with a split this next week as they go on the road to Macalester on Wednesday night and then go to GAC on Saturday.