Second Regional Rankings Released This Last Wednesday

Again, a little late in getting this in but it does provide the chance to review the all-important West Region and see how things might work out this coming week.  Let's take a look:


1.  Loras                                                             22-3   13-3
2.  Wartburg                                                       22-3   14-2
3.  Bethel                                                           24-1   19-1
4.  Whitman                                                      23-2   15-1
5.  UST                                                             20-5   16-4
6.  Augsburg                                                    21-4   17-3
7.  Simpson                                                     18-7   10-6
8.  George Fox                                                19-6   11-5


I've updated this with the records these teams have compiled after this weekend of play to get an idea of how things may shake out this coming Wednesday.......First, the guess here is that Wartburg will slide on up to the number one spot after their victory over Loras in Dubuque this last week that also clinched the ARC regular season title for them and the number-one seed in the upcoming ARC Playoffs.  Ditto on our side in the MIAC that saw Bethel score a resounding victory at home over Augsburg to clinch the MIAC regular season title and the number-one seed in the upcoming MIAC Playoffs.  Because of that, I would now expect Bethel to slide on up to the number two spot in these regional rankings this next week. 

Now, what happens after that is anyone's guess.  I think one could make the argument that Whitman out of the NWC could easily slide up to the third position as they held off Whitworth at home in overtime and then dumped Linfield on the road on Saturday.  I would guess that Loras then falls to the fourth spot despite the fact that they recovered from Wednesday night's disappointment with Wartburg to easily dispatch Nebraska Wesleyan out in Lincoln on Saturday.  UST scored routine wins over both St. Olaf and SMU this last week and holds solid in the fifth spot.  And while Simpson got impressive home wins against both said Nebraska Wesleyan team and Buena Vista, I don't think that'll be enough to overtake Augsburg for the sixth spot.  George Fox notched solid wins over both Lewis & Clark and Puget Sound so the guess here is they'll stay where they're at. 

Is there anyone I'm missing?  I'm still keeping my eye on Bethany Lutheran out of the UMAC as they got wins this last week against Crown and, more importantly, UW-Superior on Saturday to clinch the regular season title and the number-one seed in the UMAC Playoffs........Redlands is holding onto the first spot in the SCIAC with a 19-6 overall record and 14-2 in conference play. 

Stay tuned for this coming Wednesday afternoon when the third and final Regional Rankings are released.