It seems like it's been forever since I've done my MIAC Power Rankings that I normally do; COVID-19 took care of that last year to be sure. Things are still a bit sketchy right now but I think it's high time I unveil my first rankings of the 2021-22 season:
1. Augsburg
2. Hamline
3. GAC
4. Bethel
5. (tie) CSB & St. Kate's
6. Concordia
7. SMU
8. Macalester
9. Carleton
10. St. Olaf
11. St. Scholastica
Notice I didn't deviate too much from the actual conference standings right now - and, particularly at the top four/five positions anyway, we obviously need to see a few more things shake out. But it would be unfair to the Auggies to not have them in the top spot right now as they've done what they've needed to do so far to hold that spot; including yesterday's 69-55 win over Macalester. The big disappointment from yesterday was having the Hamline at GAC game scratched due to activities at GAC being on pause for the moment due to COVID protocols. Given that scenario, I'll keep those two teams at the second and third spots, respectively. But the team turning (or that should be turning) heads right now is Bethel as they've now ripped off five straight wins (including yesterday's 102-47 trouncing of St. Olaf) after an uncharacteristically shaky start that had them at 1-5 by the first part of December. They've been getting previously injured players back and having younger players step up and so far it's worked out pretty well for them. At the very least, they're going to be a factor in the MIAC race.
It was not a good week for either CSB or St. Kate's this last week as the Bennies took it on the chin this last Wednesday night against said Bethel team at home in St. Joe and then was forced to pull the plug yesterday in their scheduled game with St. Kate's due to COVID protocols; thus awarding St. Kate's a 2-0 win in the standings. Given that St. Kate's was forced to take similar measures this last Wednesday before their slated game at Augsburg, at least the 'Cats were able to come out with a split on the whole mess.
Without question, the biggest disappointment this season so far (at least in my mind anyway) has been Concordia. I had the Cobbers right in the mix for the MIAC's top spot with the talent they had coming back but it just hasn't worked out for them thus far. Throw in a trip out to Vegas that got wiped out due to COVID concerns and you can understand that there's obviously been a lot of frustrations on a number of fronts. Still, the Cobbers got home wins against two teams they were supposed to beat - St. Olaf on Thursday night and then St. Scholastica yesterday - to at least keep them in the mix for a playoff spot. Assuming things stay on schedule, Concordia has a big one at Augsburg this coming Wednesday before hosting SMU next Saturday so a split doesn't seem too far-fetched here.
SMU snapped a three-game losing streak with yesterday's big win over Carleton in Winona yesterday and two home games loom big for them this week - Monday night vs Augsburg and Wednesday night vs St. Kate's before the long, long roadie up to Moorhead next Saturday against Concordia. Macalester's fortunes don't appear too bright either after losses this last week to Carleton (at home) and then at Augsburg yesterday as the Scots are slated to play at St. Kate's on Monday before taking the trip up Snelling Avenue to Hamline on Wednesday night and then hosting Bethel this next Saturday. Ditto for Carleton after yesterday's loss at SMU as they are at Hamline on Monday night and then host Bethel on Wednesday night before taking a visit to their crosstown rival St. Olaf next Saturday.
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