MIAC Power Rankings 1-28-13

(yawn) Just another wild, crazy week in the MIAC.  So, what else is new?  Anyway, here's how things stack up in this Monday morning's MIAC Power Rankings:

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

The sure and steady Cobbers have suddenly vaulted their way to the top of the rankings by scoring huge wins this last week including the big upset of UST this last Monday night.  While things look favorable for them this week, they do have big road contests looming in the distance at both SMU and CSB.  Speaking of those two, they now find themselves embroiled in a battle for second place (in both rankings AND conference standings) as the Cardinals claimed two road wins at Hamline and St. Kate's that sandwiched the huge win at home vs UST while CSB claimed three wins this last week; highlighted by the thriller in St. Peter against GAC......

Meanwhile, suddenly slumping UST has seen its dreams of easily repeating as MIAC champions go up in flames as they've inexplicably lost four out of their last six.  I don't want to say that the Tommies are suddenly circling the drain but it must feel like it right about now.  Another team that may want to strongly consider breaking out the panic button is GAC as they've now lost three out of their last four games; including heartbreakers at home to both Concordia and CSB just this last Saturday.  Things don't get any easier for the Gusties as they have to travel to Winona on Wednesday night to go up against SMU and then come up to the Cities on Saturday for another tricky contest at Hamline.  Speaking of the Pipers, they've suddenly got on the right track despite dropping a tough game to SMU last week Monday night by getting a big road win at Augsburg and then pulling off the unthinkable by knocking off UST in the Tommies own crib on Saturday.  St. Olaf, which appeared to be on life support just a mere week ago has suddenly righted the ship as well by getting three big wins this last week including the big one at home against GAC last Wednesday night.  IF, if they can stay healthy and get point production from their guards (Mackenzie Wolter, Lauren Gutierrez, and Kim Cerjan) they could be very, very dangerous once the conference playoffs roll around.