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| UW-Superior is back in the NCAA Tournament and although they'll be in the underdog role against host Concordia, the Yellowjackets could be dangerous as they'll be playing with nothing to lose. |
As we edge closer to Friday evening's opening round games, I wanted to provide something of a synopsis of the first-round matchups for each MIAC team and give a bit of a breakdown on each game.
Bethel Pod
Bethel vs Millsaps
This is the first-ever meeting between these two programs. Millsaps; champions of the SAA, comes into the NCAA Tournament with a 21-7 record. A glance of the Majors roster reveals that they have a very nice blend of experience and youth. Millsaps' leading scorer is junior guard Garin Freeman who averages 17.8 ppg but she normally gets a lot of help from fellow junior forward Tia Anderson (16.4 ppg) and senior post Elyse Warren (14.9 ppg). A quick check of the SAA stats shows that the Majors do indeed know offense as they're second in the conference in total team offense and they're tops in the SAA in scoring margin at 8.8. They're also near the top in FG percentage and opponent FG percentage and while the Majors aren't what you'd necessarily call a great three-point shooting team, they're tops in the conference in combined team rebounding and both team offensive and team defensive rebounds. But interestingly, Millsaps is middle of the pack in turnover margin and assist/turnover ratio. Ultimately what could prove fatal to the Majors hopes on Friday evening is that they're listed as dead last in team free throw percentage and that's not something you want to have bringing you down in an NCAA Tournament setting. Given the home floor and student/fan advantage that they'll enjoy in this one, I expect that Bethel gets through this first round matchup unscathed but they'll have their hands full on Saturday night between the winner of Coe and UW-Platteville.
Concordia Pod
Concordia vs UW-Superior
To my knowledge, this is also the first meeting between the Cobbers and the Yellowjackets; certainly the first time in the NCAA Tournament anyway. While UW-Superior certainly didn't set the world on fire during the regular season, they got hot when it counted in the UMAC Playoffs where the Yellowjackets took down UM-Morris on the road and then dumped North Central in the UMAC Championship Game at home to claim the conference's AQ into the Dance. UW-Superior also has a nice mix of veteran leadership and youth on their roster and they also have a first-year Head Coach as well in Eveline Parsons. When the Yellowjackets need offense, they usually turn to junior guard Hope Carlson (9.1 ppg) and fellow junior guard Maddie Reott (8.8 ppg). Looking at the broader picture, one could say that UW-Superior's offense isn't of the high-octane variety as they rank near the bottom in the UMAC in three-point FGs made and are middle of the pack in team 3-point FG percentage. And they're middle of the pack in free throw percentage. But where the Yellowjackets do excel is on the defensive side of the ball as they're numero uno in team defense in the UMAC and they're also tops in opponent FG percentage as well. On the rebounding front, there's nobody better than UW-Superior as they're first in combined team rebounds, team offensive rebounds and combined opponents rebounds and 6'3" junior forward Charlotte Ferstl (7.0 rebounds per game) knows how to keep the glass clean. That particular aspect could pose some problems for Concordia but I think the Cobbers simply have too many weapons and their depth will likely wear down UW-Superior as the game progresses. But there'll be little time to celebrate as they would get the winner between UW-River Falls and Ripon and that game should be an absolute battle.
Whitewater Pod
GAC vs Chicago
Still another first time meeting between these two teams. The Chicago program is certainly no stranger to this stage and although they finished the season at 17-7, let's remember that in the highly-competitive UAA, you're playing top-notch teams such as #1 NYU, Wash U, Carnegie Mellon, et al and the Maroons had NYU on the ropes just two short weeks ago and probably should've beaten them. Not only is this a veteran team, they've got size to boot. Chicago is led by sophomore forward Annabelle Spotts (11.8 ppg) and fellow sophomore guard Chris Sanders (10.0 ppg). And while the Maroons won't blow anyone away with their overall offensive prowess, one should know that the Maroons are right up there in the UAA from the charity stripe which is bad news for any opponent if/when Chicago gets in the bonus. No, where the Maroons excel is on defense and they're right behind said NYU team in overall defense in the UAA and they're also second in the conference in opponent FG percentage. But I was surprised to see Chicago at the bottom of the pack in turnover margin and they're near the bottom in combined team rebounds - something I wouldn't have expected. And while their defense is solid, they're also toward the bottom in steals. How much that all means, I don't know for sure right now but given the fact that they were one of only two teams to thus far give NYU a real run for their money, that alone should be validation as to how good they are. No doubt about it - this young Gustie team will likely have to play the game of their life on Friday evening - and the road ahead if they do manage to get through won't be any easier as they'd have to face off against the winner of host UW-Whitewater and Transylvania.
Oshkosh Pod
SMU vs Wisconsin Lutheran
The Warriors; who bowed to GAC in the first round last year, are back again in the Dance with an impressive 23-5 record which includes a 48-29 blasting of St. Norbert in the NACC Championship Game this last Sunday. To be sure, this is a young team as well that's dominated by freshmen and sophomores but that aspect certainly hasn't held Wisconsin Lutheran back one iota. And Head Coach Klay Knueppel definitely has some scorers on his squad as the Warriors are led by junior forward Margie Stevens (14.8 ppg) along with freshman guard Kenly Frey (12.4 ppg) and sophomore forward Abby Cole (11.0 ppg) and I suppose it's no surprise that the Warriors were third in total team offense in the NACC and second in team FG percentage and third in team 3-point FG percentage. And although Wisconsin Lutheran could arguably be better at the charity stripe, they're very solid on the defensive side of the ball as they're second in overall team defense and second in margin of victory at 18.7 which is a very scary proposition. They're tops in opponent FG percentage and opponent 3-point FG percentage as well. Need more proof? They're tops in combined team rebounds and team defensive rebounds as well and both Cole and senior combo guard/forward Jayden Hill are very good at their trade in this particular department. This first-round matchup with SMU could truly be a dandy as they have very similar styles and they're both green around the gills so to speak so this one could really be fun. Just how much "fun" there will be to be had is uncertain as whoever escapes this potential bloodbath with the dub will get the winner of host UW-Oskosh (b'gosh) and Webster and I think we know who's going to be favored in that one.
So there's something of a breakdown on the opponents that the four MIAC teams will face on Friday night to get you a bit more familiar with these teams. I think that, more than anything, the unfamiliarity aspect of playing unfamiliar opponents with way different playing styles than what you're normally accustomed to is one of the toughest things to overcome in the NCAA Tournament. You can watch game videos and pore over stats and rosters but you really don't know what you're getting for sure until you get on the floor with them and get at it. And how well each team adjusts to the other is crucial as well. Guess that's what always makes this time of the year so fun and so interesting.
Come on Friday night!
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