Hard to believe but here we are again. The close of yet another regular season and the MIAC Playoffs that saw UST repeating as champs in a year where everything did not necessarily go smoothly for them. Yet when the chips were down, they found a way to battle back and find themselves again and, just as important, get their mojo back as well. But let's also give some props to both Concordia and SMU as well. The Cobbers got the regular season title and got to host the MIAC Championsship Game for the first time since 2006. It's obviously disappointing for them not being able to close the deal but they have a lot to be proud of this year. And how about SMU down in Winona. Winning a season high of 22 games and fnishing tied for second with UST in the conference standings. They have definitely set the bar much higher there and I think they'll be one of the upper echelon teams in the MIAC now.
That said, how does all this parlay out in the big scheme of things; particularly on Selection Monday? It's difficult to tell, but I feel quite confident that the MIAC will get at least two bids this time around after being consistently short-changed by the mindless nimrods at the NCAA Selection Committee. There's just simply no, no way, that the MIAC doesn't get two bids this time around. I think things played out well enough around the West Region that makes this possible. I'd also like to think that there might be a miracle out there that would allow SMU to sneak into the dance as well. They're deserving of it and, while their body of work may work against them, their 22 wins can't be ignored either; especially in a conference as tough as the MIAC is from top to bottom. So, let's look at the prospects for the MIAC's best hopes:
UST - They can relax and enjoy the day today knowing that they're in with the AQ as MIAC Playoff Champions. The big question for them now is where are they going to be sent? It's unlikely, IMHO, that they'd get to host a Regional pod with Simpson winning the IIAC Championship Game and with a 24-1 Cornell team winning the MWC Championship Game as well. So the guess here is that they'll get sent to either Simpson (located in Indianola which is not that far from Des Moines) or possibly to Cornell (located in Mt. Vernon which is just a hop, skip and a jump away from Cedar Rapids on U.S. Highway 30 and the Union Pacific's "Overland Route" mainline). Personally, I'd like to see the Tommies shipped down to Mt. Vernon as it's a much better trip down there than it would be to Indianola and I would like the Tommies chances of making a deep run much better there than I ever would at Simpson.
Concordia - You know they'll be on pins and needles up in Moorhead today but it's just incredibly difficult for me to envision a scenario in which they get left out. With a 21-5 overall record and their body of work which includes a MIAC regular season title, it would be incredibly outrageous if they get the shaft here. Their opening season loss to UM-Morris hurts but that shouldn't be enough to damage the other good things they've done. Assuming they get in (they bloody well better) I'm guessing that they'll get shipped out west to either Cal Lutheran or perhaps Lewis & Clark (despite their loss in the NWC Championship Game). It would be a bonus for them to get sent to either of the possible Iowa destinations or perhaps over to UW-Stevens Point but I don't see it playing out like that.
SMU - They're a longshot here (and even they know that as well). Still, they're deserving of an invite to the dance and I would love this for seniors Jessica Thone and Jamie Stefely to get one more shot. IF, if they somehow garner an invite, they'll get sent over to UW-Stevens Point or to one of the Iowa destinations. Let's hope they have a reason to celebrate over at the Chula Vista restaurant in Winona tonight!
UPDATE - D3 Hoops' Pat Coleman has Concordia in - barely (!) - but in nonetheless! Even more interesting is that they have the Cobbers headed to Mt. Vernon to take in UW-Whitewater in a VERY intriguing 1st round match-up and instead have St. Scholastica headed out west. Hmmm...Well, in any event we'll find out at 1:30 this afternoon how this is all going to shake out!
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