MIAC Power Rankings For Sunday 2-19-17

Here's the final MIAC Power Rankings for the 2016-17 season and although they don't differentiate too much from the actual final conference standings, there was some movement in my poll nonetheless:


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


No surprises in the top three spots as each team did what it needed to do this last week although the Royals got a bit of a tussle from St. Kate's yesterday at Robertson Center but hung on for a tough win and, more importantly, notched their 21st victory of the season.  Things may be stacked against Bethel in their NCAA Tournament hopes but this team seems ready to go and ready to take its chances.

I flipped CSB and St. Kate's on this day as the Blazers did what they needed to do to lock-up the fourth seed in the MIAC Playoffs with crucial road victories at both Hamline on Wednesday night and an overtime win yesterday at SMU.  The Wildcats somewhat predictably dropped their last two regular season contests at home Wednesday night to mighty GAC and then yesterday at Bethel but certainly played much better in the latter contest and, as such, take the fifth-seed in the MIAC Playoffs.  The big winner this last week was Augsburg as they claimed two big wins - both away from the friendly confines of Si Melby Hall - at Macalester on Wednesday night and then yesterday at St. Olaf to claim the coveted sixth playoff spot.  Meanwhile, no amount of Jack Daniels, Tylenol PM or perhaps a combination of both can possibly cure the hurt and heartache down the River in Winona on this day as SMU, so incredibly desperate for a win, took CSB to overtime yesterday before falling 60-55 for its seventh loss in eight games that cost them that sixth spot and you can't help but feel badly for seniors Emma Schaefer, Brigette Audette, Sam Jones and Raelynn Speltz to have the season come to a grinding, screeching, crashing end.

I was impressed how Macalester turned things around in the second half against Hamline yesterday to end the season on a good note and the Scots have made steady improvement under Head Coach Kelly Roysland's tenure and don't be surprised if Macalester takes things another notch forward next season.  Concordia did give mighty UST  a tough time at home in Moorhead before falling and I'm guessing that Head Coach Jessica Rahman will be rolling up her sleeves and will be back hard at work to get her team back into the mix very soon.  St. Olaf got a split this last week; notably taking a home win over crosstown rival Carleton on Wednesday night that might give this young Ole squad some momentum heading into next season.

I'll handicap the MIAC Playoffs tomorrow night and will also have something to say about the last round of regional rankings that will come out later this week as well.