MIAC Power Rankings For Sunday 1-26-20

Some more shifting in my latest Power Rankings release and although I was unable to get out to any games this last Wednesday night due to personal obligations, I did see enough to at least shed some light on the latest developments.  So, let's take a look, shall we?


1.  Bethel
2.  (tie) GAC, Augsburg & UST
3.  Hamline
4.  Concordia
5.  (tie) St. Kate's & St. Olaf
6.  Carleton
7.  CSB
8.  SMU
9.  Macalester


The Royals continue to rule this world but boy, did they EVER get a scare yesterday down Snelling Avenue at Hamline and although they escaped Hutton Arena with a 79-75 win, some might be left wondering if their grip on the top spot may be tenuous right now.  The good news for Bethel, however, is that this coming week shouldn't be too taxing with home games against St. Kate's on Wednesday night and Macalester next Saturday........I had made mention last week of the hot mess that existed in the middle-of-the- pack group.  While that has untangled a little bit, a new hot mess now exists in the upper echelon of the MIAC as I have GAC, Augsburg and UST packed in at the second spot.  I really thought about this a lot but felt like there was no other choice.  First, how can you not be impressed with how GAC responded after the embarrassing loss up in Moorhead to Concordia by reeling off three consecutive victories this last week - two of them at home against Augsburg and Hamline?  Then yesterday the Gusties were operating without their top scorer in Caitlin Rorman and still got a solid road win at Macalester.  This coming week, GAC gets a bit of a tuneup game as CSB comes to town on Wednesday night before UST comes to town looking for revenge next Saturday.  Augsburg recovered from the Sunday setback in St. Peter by dumping St. Olaf down in Northfield this last Wednesday night and getting a rather routine twenty-point victory against Concordia yesterday.  But now the Auggies have to face a revenge-minded UST on Wednesday night in Si Melby Hall before heading back down to Northfield next Saturday to take on Carleton.  With home wins over both Macalester this last Wednesday night and St. Kate's yesterday, the Tommies have now quietly reeled off seven straight wins but now this coming week is quite likely the biggest week for them this season with roadies at Augsburg on Wednesday night and then down U.S. Highway 169 and the Union Pacific's Mankato Sub mainline to St. Peter next Saturday to take on GAC.  Needless to say, something's got to give here. 

It was a rough, heartbreaking week for the Pipers with losses to both GAC this last Wednesday night and then letting Bethel off the hook yesterday in the comfy confines on Hutton Arena yesterday and although Hamline has to go on the road this week - to St. Olaf on Wednesday night and then to CSB next Saturday, those look winnable and they've got the third spot all to themselves so it could be a helluva lot worse.  Concordia meanwhile has assumed the fourth spot all to themselves and I'm not entirely sure how they did this.  Perhaps it was some good play at the right times, a bit of luck and a bit of divine intervention as well.  Nonetheless, they hung on for dear life in cavernous Memorial Auditorium this last Wednesday night against CSB before taking it on the chin yesterday at Augsburg.  This coming week, however, presents a huge opportunity for the Cobbers to consolidate on their latest gains as they make the long trip down to Northfield on Wednesday night to take on Carleton before getting a slumping SMU team back home in Moorhead next Saturday. 

St. Kate's was extremely fortunate to come away with a split this last week - holding off SMU at home this last Wednesday night before getting dough-popped in their neighborhood rivalry at UST yesterday.  With the regular season now in the home-stretch and their playoff lifelines dwindling, the 'Cats know full and well that they'll need to come away with at least a split this next week and even that's a daunting prospect now as they go to the north side of town to take on Bethel on Wednesday night before hosting a huge game with St. Olaf this next Saturday.  And speaking of the Oles, they too had a hairy week as they got popped by Augsburg this last Wednesday night before hanging on for dear life against SMU yesterday.  Hamline does come to Skoglund Center this Wednesday night before the aforementioned huge showdown with the Wildcats at Butler Center this next Saturday with the loser having their playoff hopes virtually extinguished. 

While this has been something of a learning year for Carleton, you have to be impressed with how they manage to keep coming at you.  True, they came out with scars when Bethel came to town this last Wednesday night but yet had enough in the tank to apply similar treatment to CSB yesterday.  I honestly can't think of two tougher teams to figure out than CSB and SMU.  A lot of talent there and yet, for some reason, they just can't seem to get over the top.  And it has to be especially excruciating for the Cardinals this last week as they dropped not one but TWO two-point games - at St. Kate's on Wednesday night and then at St. Olaf yesterday.  That's hard to do.  Macalester meanwhile doesn't have a lot to show for itself but they're definitely better than their 1-16 record would suggest. 

Fire away with thoughts.