Here we are; on the eve of yet another NCAA Tournament and for the first time in six years, the MIAC has two teams putting on their dancing shoes for the big show - GAC with the AQ and Concordia with the at-large. It's an exciting time for both teams as both seek to extend their seasons and hopefully do some damage in the process. So let's take a look at both of these games for Friday evening:
1. GAC vs Trine - The Trine Thunder hail from the MIAA out of Angola, IN; about halfway between South Bend, IN and Toledo, OH on US Highway 20 and the former New York Central Chicago - New York mainline. The Thunder shocked everyone by upending top-seeded and heavily favored Hope in the MIAA Championship Game to earn the conference's AQ into the Dance. Trine fashioned a 21-7 overall record and 12-4 in a very tough conference and they are no slouch. The Thunder rely heavily on senior point guard Sidney Wagner (Jr. guard) for scoring production (15.4 ppg) and she was solid in that MIAA Championship Game win over Hope this last Saturday night. Fellow junior guard Sierra Hinds pitches in with 9.4 ppg. Save for freshman post Abby Sanner (6'2"), this isn't what you what call a "big" team by any stretch. You take a peek at the MIAA stats and you'll see Trine trending toward the bottom half in rebounds at 36.6 rebounds (total) per game. To me anyway, this looks like a favorable matchup for GAC as they not only have the size but also the athleticism to give them a good chance to prevail. However, let's also remember that when you play on a neutral floor with a target on your back in a one-and-done situation, that does change up the dynamics. Yet, given the Gusties' experience in these situations, I like their chances getting through the first round without too much fuss or trouble.
2. Concordia vs Illinois Wesleyan - The Titans; out of the CCIW and located down in Bloomington, IL; come into this NCAA Tournament in much the same fashion as the Cobbers - with a 22-5 overall record and 14-2 conference record and an at-large bid after falling to Carroll in the CCIW Championship Game this last weekend. One of the first things I noticed right off the bat when taking a closer look at this Illinois Wesleyan team is that they've definitely got some scorers on that team. They're led by junior guard Lauren Huber (16.0 ppg) but she gets a lot of help. Sophomore guard Ava Bardic (13.9 ppg), junior guard Mallory Powers (12.7 ppg) junior guard Kate Palmer (11.3 ppg) and senior forward Caite Knutson (10.5 ppg) all chip in as you can see. So, unlike the Gusties, the Cobbers won't be able to put their focus on just one person. They're going to have to play team defense in this contest and get it done on that end of the floor. You look at the conference stats and you'll see the Titans right up there in total team offense and they're fourth in total team defense which certainly isn't bad. However, in combined team rebounds, Illinois Wesleyan is in seventh place of nine teams averaging 38.3 rebounds per game. Another surprising stat for the Titans - they're also seventh in the CCIW when it comes to free throw percentage at 0.677 and this could be an area that plays into the hands of the Cobbers as we know that free throw shooting is one of the hallmark strengths of that team. This looks to be one of the more intriguing first round matchups of the entire NCAA Tournament and quite possibly the most evenly-matched. The lack of NCAA Tournament experience works against Concordia, of course, but the Cobbers have the tools to prevail if they play up to their capability. IMHO, Head Coach Kim Wagers and her staff have nothing to lose here and they and the team have to adopt the mindset of throwing caution to the wind and leaving it all out there on the floor. They've come this far so this is where you've gotta do it.
So that's how I see things in a nutshell for both GAC and Concordia tomorrow evening. The Gusties will tip-off against Trine at approximately 5:00 P.M. (Central time) while the Cobbers will tip-off against Illinois Wesleyan at approximately 5:15 P.M. (Central time) and you know I'll be tuning into both games. With that said - GO GUSTIES AND ROLL COBBS!!!!!!!
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