In anticipation of tomorrow night's NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament Pod being hosted by UW-River Falls tomorrow night, I just wanted to let loose with these thoughts tonight:
First, a huge shout-out to all the players of the MIAC who were voted onto the various all-conference teams and a special shout out to both UST junior post Kaitlin Langer who was voted MIAC POY and to SMU Head Coach Brent Pollari was was voted COY by his MIAC peers. It's these people who help make the MIAC the great conference that it is and so much fun to watch and cover. Here's the link from the official MIAC website covering the listings of players. A big congratulations to everyone involved!
http://www.miacathletics.com/sports/wbkb/2015-16/releases/030316_wbb_awards
That said, I'll be over in River Falls, Wisconsin both Friday night and Saturday night covering the first and second round games at host UW-River Falls. The first game at 5:00 P.M. Friday evening features MIAC Champion UST going up against IIAC Championship Game winner Loras. The Duhawks; who shocked IIAC regular season champ Luther in Decorah this last Saturday, are decided underdogs against the eighth-ranked Tommies. Then again, no one gave Loras a prayer's chance against Luther this last weekend either. The Duhawks are led by senior guard Kaitlin Phillips and her 13.2 ppg along with junior forward Terese McMahon (12.5 ppg) and fellow junior post Lori Obendorf (11.0 ppg and 11.5 rebounds per game). Loras is not an exceptional three-point shooting team but they do know how to clean the glass as their 44.1 rebounds per game and +12.6 rebounding margin number would suggest. Turnovers have plagued Loras at times this year and they don't come into this game with a whole ton of momentum but they are still a very dangerous team and UST cannot afford to come into this contest with a casual attitude at all. I think this game, since it is on a neutral floor for both teams, stays close before the Tommies gradually pull away down the stretch. I just think UST has too many weapons for Loras to handle for a full 40 minutes.
The nightcap features an intriguing match-up between host UW-River Falls and Wheaton (IL). The Thunder; out of the CCIW and winners of the CCIW Championship Game over perennial powerhouse Illinois Wesleyan, bring a solid 22-5 record into the NCAA Tournament. The Thunder have a few former Minnesotans on their roster and junior guard Katie McDaniels out of Mounds View High School leads the team in scoring with her 17.0 ppg. Senior post Hannah Considine averages 10.2 ppg but more importantly leads the team in rebounding with 6.9 rebounding average. Another Minnesota player; senior Ellie Zeller, who starred at St. Anthony Village averages 9.3 ppg and can rebound as well. The host Falcons bring a similar 22-5 record into this game although they arguably come into this contest on something of a down note as they were upset 65-64 in the WIAC Championship Game by UW-Oshkosh. Lanky sophopmore post Taylor Karge and junior guard Brynn Liljander lead the way in scoring for UW-River Falls with their 14.4 and 14.0 ppg respectively and it's no surprise that Karge leads the team in rebounds and blocked shots. Another player to keep your eye on is junior forward Kate Theisen with her 10.8 ppg and an ability to get into the paint to do the dirty work. This is a Falcon team that likes to make a living by getting out and running and finishing in transition. A much tougher call here on this one......My gut says UW-River Falls hangs on to win a tough one on their home floor but it won't be easy. That would set up a huge MIAC-WIAC showdown on Saturday night with the Tommies and Falcons battling it out for the right to advance to the Sweet 16.
Should be a couple of good games for sure and I encourage you to make the short hop across the River over to UW-River Falls on Friday evening to catch the action!
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