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| Rylie Sternquist's 20 points yesterday helped SMU notch perhaps their biggest win yet in taking down Bethel at home in Winona and avenging an earlier loss to the Royals. |
Ahh, now it's finally February and with the home stretch of the regular season now upon us, we have a bit more clarity on things but it's still messy with a lot of question marks on several teams. So let me try untangling this disorganized jumble of teams to see where we're at right now:
1. Concordia
2. SMU
3. (tie) Bethel & St. Scholastica
4. GAC
5. Hamline
6. CSB
7. St. Kate's
8. Carleton
9. Augsburg
10. Macalester
11. St. Olaf
The Cobbers once again have the top of the mountain all to themselves on this Sunday and they earned the spot by first staving off a determined effort from CSB at cavernous Memorial Auditorium this last Wednesday and then getting their first road win at GAC in 13 years yesterday - more than good enough to propel them into the top spot. But Concordia can't afford to rest on its laurels as they have two big home games this week that could allow them to solidify their spot at the top - against Carleton on Wednesday night and then Hamline this coming Saturday........The other big mover on this day is SMU as they took care of business on the road against said Carleton team this last Wednesday night and then notched maybe their biggest win of this season yet when they stomped on Bethel at home yesterday. On paper anyway, you would think that the Cardinals would have a decent chance to consolidate on their latest gains although they have a rematch with a St. Kate's team that toppled them about a month ago at home on Winona this Wednesday before a return trip to Northfield to take on St. Olaf this coming Saturday.
Although Bethel took care of business easily enough at home against Macalester this last Wednesday night, you kind of knew that yesterday's battle down in Winona might not go their way although I don't think many had the Royals getting run out of town by the halftime break against SMU yet that's exactly what happened. And with yesterday's debacle, all those questions that had swirled around Bethel not so long ago are rearing their ugly head again. The Royals SHOULD recover this next week with two home games and although the game Wednesday night against St. Olaf appears like a forgone conclusion, the game this coming Saturday against a rising St. Scholastica team could be an entirely different matter........And speaking of those Saints, what a week it was for this team which might very well be the best story this season in MIAC Women's Basketball as they came down to Minneapolis this last Wednesday night and got a double-digit win against Augsburg before yesterday's thrilling win at home against a very good CSB team. But this coming week is where St. Scholastica will have its mettle tested with two more trips back down to the Twin Cities - first to Macalester on Wednesday night before the big showdown this coming Saturday against aforementioned Bethel team.
GAC got a big win at home this last Wednesday night against Hamline but couldn't complete the deal yesterday in the loss to Concordia. But I can only penalize the Gusties so much and I think they'll have ample opportunities to make up for yesterday's setback and they'll have to get refocused as a dangerous and desperate CSB team comes to Lund Arena on Wednesday night before a trip up US Highway 169 and the Union Pacific's Mankato Sub mainline to the Twin Cities to take on Macalester this coming Saturday........One of the two biggest fallers on this day is Hamline and this last week was about as costly as they come as they fell short against said GAC team on Wednesday night before yesterday's shocking setback against St. Kate's. For a team that was enjoying a 10-win streak joyride, the Pipers now suddenly find themselves in a must-win situation and although the crosstown trek to Augsburg on Wednesday night looks doable enough, the dreaded trip up US Highway 10 and the BNSF's Staples Sub mainline this coming Saturday to Moorhead to take on Concordia is another matter entirely.
The other faller on this day is CSB and this last week was downright cruel to them as they lost a heartbreaker up in Moorhead against Concordia this last Wednesday night before coming up short yesterday on the frigid shores of Gitche Gumee against St. Scholastica. And the home stretch might be tough for the Bennies if they're without senior Megan Morgan for the duration but in the meantime they have to get refocused as another very challenging road trip is in the offing as they go to GAC on Wednesday night before finally getting back into the comfy confines of Claire Lynch this coming Saturday to face Carleton........One of the worst things ANY team in this conference can do is take St. Kate's lightly as Hamline found out the hard way yesterday. That win against the Pipers yesterday coupled with the win last Wednesday night at St. Olaf has the 'Cats on a three-game win streak. While it probably won't be enough to get them close to playoff conversation, the Wildcats at least have a big shot of confidence going forward and they'll need it as they must venture down US Highway 61 and the CPKC River Sub mainline to Winona on Wednesday night to take on SMU before returning home to face Augsburg this coming Saturday.
So there you have it for today. Again, a bit more clarity on things but you and I both know that there's still a lot of moving pieces in place before this regular season wraps up. As always, please feel free to fire away with thoughts.
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