MIAC Power Rankings For Sunday 1-5-20

It's a new year and a new season and it's finally time for me to release my first MIAC Power Rankings of the 2019-20 season.  So, here we go:


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


There's a new king on top of the mountain for the time being and that's Bethel as they remain a perfect 6-0 in conference play and 11-0 overall after yesterday's convincing win over SMU.  Just from what I've seen so far anyway, they look to be the most complete team - right now.  Right behind is Augsburg with an identical 6-0 conference record after they went up to St. Joe yesterday and pocketed a 67-60 win over CSB.  Somewhat fittingly, I guess, these two teams clash this coming Wednesday night over at Si Melby Hall which should be an absolute shoot-out.  I won't go off on a limb and compare it to the 2017 MIAC Women's Hoops Game of the Century between UST and GAC but it's huge nonetheless.  Be there or be square I say. 

I deliberated about the Gusties who also sport an identical 6-0 conference and 10-1 overall record like Augsburg.  There's a part of me that wants to go all-in on this group and there's another part of me that just needs to see more.  They certainly didn't look "great" in their last two wins over UW-River Falls this last Monday night or yesterday vs St. Olaf (both in the comfy confines of Lund Arena) but yet they managed to find a way to get things done when they needed to and that's what's important.  This next week finds them hosting SMU on Wednesday night and there could very well be another huge conference showdown this next week Saturday when the Gusties come up to the Twin Cities to take on Bethel at Robertson Center.  Meanwhile, isn't it weird to see UST in the fourth spot?  They got quite a scare yesterday up in Moorhead against Concordia and while things look somewhat manageable for the Tommies this coming week with a roadie down to St. Olaf and CSB at home this next week Saturday, UST can ill-afford to take anything for granted. 

Talk about teams in unfamiliar spots.  How many would have guessed that I would have had Hamline in the fifth spot in my first Power Rankings release (Hamline???  Hamline!!!!???)?  Yet, there the Pipers are sitting at 3-3 in the conference and they've reeled off four straight wins including yesterday's convincing 57-41 victory at St. Kate's yesterday.  This next week finds Hamline doing their own rendition of Willie Nelson's "On The Road Again" with a visit at Carleton on Wednesday night before hosting SMU next week Saturday in the comfy confines of venerable Hutton Arena.  CSB did not end 2019 or start 2020 on a very good note as they lost a non-conference game to UMAC leader Bethany Lutheran on 12-28 before yesterday's tough home loss to Augsburg.  Things really don't get any easier for the Blazers either this coming week as they host an unpredictable St. Kate's team on Wednesday night before renewing their old rivalry with UST this next week Saturday at Schoenecker Arena.

Right below are the two Northfield teams snared in a tie in the seventh spot.  First, congrats to Tammy Metcalf-Filzen on having the "interim" tag removed from her title.  If there's ANYONE who can restore the Carleton program to the winning ways they enjoyed some 15-20 years ago, it's Metcalf-Filzen who has the Knights vastly improved from a year ago and they scored a nice home win over Macalester yesterday.  They'll host an equally-improved Hamline team on Wednesday night before facing off with their crosstown rival next week Saturday at Skoglund Center.  Speaking of the Oles, they lost a tough one at GAC yesterday and certainly had their chances.  While St. Olaf is certainly improved over a year ago, winning those tough, close games has seemingly eluded them and things do not get any easier for them as they host UST on Wednesday night before next week Saturday's aforementioned game with their crosstown rival.

Oh, what COULD have been for Concordia yesterday as they had UST on the ropes before falling late.  But this is a young team that's still trying to find its way and they'll have to learn the hard way by going on the road this next week with visits to both Macalester and St. Kate's.  Speaking of the Wildcats, it's thus far been an incredibly disappointing 2019-20 campaign for Head Coach Don Mulhern's team but this squad has already lost one of its best players on the front line in sophomore Sam Orth and freshman post Maggie Trnka is out for an unspecified amount of time with a stress fracture.  If St. Kate's wants to remain a factor in the playoff chase, this coming week is an almost "must" for them with a visit to CSB on Wednesday night before hosting said Concordia team next Saturday.  Speaking of disappointments, SMU - without question - has to be the biggest disappointment thus far this year.  And things don't get any easier for the Cardinals with a visit to GAC on Wednesday night and another trip up to the Twin Cities to play a vastly improved Hamline team next Saturday.  A young Macalester team is struggling similarly and things will likely remain tough for this group as they take on Concordia on Wednesday night at Leonard Center before making the run over to Augsburg next week Saturday.

Fire away with thoughts.....