What To Look For Today With Conference Championship Games

Always an exciting time as this is the day that many conference championship games are decided and NCAA Tournament berths are determined.  Let's take a capsule look at what's going on in the immediate area and how things could possibly shake out come Monday afternoon.


MIAC - It's an anticipated rematch of the regular season finale over at Schoenecker Arena this afternoon as second-seeded SMU once again comes calling to take on number-one seed UST.  The Cardinals; by virtue of their win over GAC on Thursday night, SHOULD be in the Dance regardless of what happens today while the Tommies can likely assure themselves of hosting the first two rounds with another MIAC Championship Game trophy today.  At this point, I see only two MIAC teams getting in as I think GAC, even with their 20 wins this year, winds up getting left out although I hope I'm wrong and get a huge surprise.


WIAC - Should be a dandy of a game across the River this afternoon as well over in Wisconsin as number-one seed UW-River Falls plays host to UW-Oshkosh.  The WIAC appears to be in position to send at least two teams; possibly three (UW-Stevens Point) into the dance depending upon what happens elsewhere.  The intriguing thing here is that if UW-River Falls wins today, do they get to host first- and second-round NCAA games or do they possibly get sent over to UST should the Tommies prevail in the MIAC Championship Game?  Could be some VERY interesting scenarios here for sure.


IIAC - At first glance, the IIAC looks to be in position to send only one team into the Big Dance and should number-one seeded Luther hold serve at home this afternoon against second-seeded Loras, the Norse will get the automatic berth and would likely get sent up to UST for the second straight year should the Tommies take care of business in the MIAC.  Sitting at 18-8, it's likely a bridge too far for the Duhawks should they lose to Luther today so it's really an all or nothing proposition for Loras.


UMAC - Number-one seed UW-Superior appears to be a lock for the NCAA Tournament with its 23-3 overall record as they take on second-seeded Northwestern tonight at 7:00 P.M. along the shores of mighty Lake Superior.  Should the Yellowjackets hold serve at home, it will be interesting to see exactly what the NCAA committee decides to do with them.  The Eagles; currently sitting at 21-5, would certainly prefer to get the automatic bid with an upset win tonight although they would have a strong case for getting an at-large bid should they come out on the short end of the stick tonight.


So there you have it.  This is always a fun time of the year and I'm geeked for sure!