Hey guys, sorry about not getting this up yesterday. The last few days have been pretty brutal. I'm not sure why but I have a feeling that my rankings this week are going to aggravate a few people. Let me remind you guys what the "criteria" is for my power rankings just so you guys have a feeling of how it works...
1. Overall body of work
2. SOS
3. Head-to-head
4. How they've played lately
I'm giving you guys this list so I don't get any, "Hey, how come this team is ranked below this team?!" sort of stuff. With no further ado, here are this week's rankings...
1. MSU-Mankato 13-2 (12-2 D2, 9-2 NSIC) (-)
L5 - 4-1
PG - W @ Northern State 91-73
LG - L @ U-Mary 84-69
UG - Jan. 21 vs. Bemidji State (7-8), Jan. 22 vs. UM-Duluth (7-8)
Note - I know I might catch some flack here for ranking MSU-Mankato first still, even after getting dismantled against Mary, but like I mentioned earlier, I need to measure the entire body of work. Right now, no one in the NSIC has a stronger body of work than MSU-Mankato and even they should be allowed to play one bad game once in a while. Mary snapped a six-game winning streak, something that's pretty astonishing in the NSIC this year. The Mavericks really shouldn't be ashamed to lose to Mary but as noted by Coach Margenthaler, they should be disappointed with the lack of effort and intensity they brought forth into this game. I have a feeling the Mavericks will bounce back this weekend when the Beavers and Bulldogs come to town. The Beavers could give MSU a run for their money but considering how the Bulldogs are playing, it could be an easy win on Saturday.
2. Winona State 12-3 (9-3 D2, 8-3 NSIC) (-)
L5 - 4-1
PG - W vs. UM-Crookston 108-68
LG - L vs. MSU-Moorhead 95-87
UG - Jan. 21 @ Wayne State (9-6), Jan. 22 @ Augustana (10-5)
Note - This is another spot where I think I'll catch some flack for not putting Mary but there are reasons why. For one, my main criteria is overall body of work. WSU's overall body of work is slightly better than Mary's (even though Mary did beat MSU). The other would be WSU also beat Mary head-to-head three weeks ago. It's sort of a vicious circle anyway considering MSU > WSU > Mary > MSU. If you really think about it, WSU really only played one bad half against Moorhead. Yes, it was a REALLY bad half...the worst I've ever seen in my six years of watching WSU basketball. However, they did make a nice effort in the second half to at least make the game interesting. However, this should be WSU's warning though...if they play like that for even a half against Augie or Wayne, they will lose.
3. U-Mary 12-4 (12-4 D2, 8-4 NSIC) (-)
L5 - 5-0
PG - W vs. SW Minnesota State 60-48
LG - W vs. MSU-Mankato 84-69
UG - Jan. 22 @ Northern State (7-9)
Note - Boy, I tell you what, I was "" this close to putting Mary in the #2 spot. I was so unimpressed with WSU and impressed with Mary that it certainly did contemplate it. However, after looking at the whole body of work, I decided to go with WSU but just barely. Anthony Moody is just unreal. He scored 49 points this weekend, including 31 points against one of the top teams in the region. Although, my one observation is Moody is the player making this team go. Even on nights where he scores a lot, if the rest of the team isn't stepping up, there's a good chance Mary loses. However, with the way Mary is playing right now as a team, I don't think they have anything to worry about and even though they have a road game this weekend, I don't wonder what will happen when the league's best defense meets the league's worst defense. It might be awful to watch if you're a Northern State fan...
4. Augustana 10-5 (7-4 D2, 7-4 NSIC) (-)
L5 - 4-1
PG - W @ UM-Duluth 76-49
LG - W @ Wayne State 79-76 (2OT)
UG - Jan. 21 vs. Upper Iowa (5-10), Jan. 22 vs. Winona State (12-3)
Note - Uh oh, don't look now but it looks like the Vikings have found their sea legs at last (*smacks forehead*). Granted, their win in Wayne came a little harder than they would've liked. Still, winning in that environment is huge, even if it takes double overtime to do it. Granted, it took a young freshman in Yuriy Malashenko to get it to OT with a three-point shot with three seconds left to tie the game, but you'll take wins however you get them. If there is a concern for the Vikings though, it would be turnovers. You can't afford to turn the ball over 22 times and expect to win many ball games. Fortunately, the Vikings forced 19 WSC turnovers so they were able to keep in the game. If they turn the ball over that much against WSU, they could be in trouble.
5. Concordia-St. Paul 10-5 (8-4 D2, 7-4 NSIC) (-)
L5 - 3-2
PG - W vs. UM-Duluth 77-64
LG - W vs. Bemidji State 79-73
UG - Jan. 21 @ MSU-Moorhead (9-6), Jan. 22 @ UM-Crookston (6-9)
Note - The Golden Bears continue to surprise me and many others in the NSIC with how they are playing. I'm sure not many thought they'd have 10 wins at this point in the season but alas, they do and they are looking like an NSIC tournament team with how they are rolling. The good news for Concordia is big man Brent Barz is finally starting to find a rhythm. He scored 41 points this weekend in two games. If he can continue to put up big numbers, it'll take less pressure off of guys like the Olafeso brothers and Isiah Thomas. Lately the Golden Bears have been starting Andrew Kuderer instead of Courtney Tyler and it seems to be helping. Barz is getting hot at the right time because he'll be up against a mighty big dragon in Alex Novak this weekend.
6. St. Cloud State 8-7 (7-6 D2, 7-4 NSIC) (+1)
L5 - 3-2
PG - W vs. Bemidji State 92-88 (OT)
LG - W vs. UM-Duluth 94-74
UG - Jan. 21 @ UM-Crookston (6-9), Jan. 22 @ MSU-Moorhead (9-6)
Note - I want to know how many NSIC teams can claim they scored 90+ points in three consecutive games? The answer...one. It's St. Cloud State and I can honestly say, they are getting hot at the right time. Taylor Witt was in absolute beast mode over the weekend scoring 31 points, dishing out 12 assists and gathered nine steals in two games. It's incredible that he stole the ball seven times against UM-Duluth, but then again, it doesn't surprise me THAT much. When I saw SCSU was up by 29 at halftime, I didn't have any doubts about this one. With the way the Huskies are scoring, I can definitely see them making it five in a row...UM-Crookston just gave up 108 to WSU this past weekend and the Dragons don't exactly have an outstanding defense by any means. Although, I'm sure the Huskies are worried more about "winning" than getting 90 points.
7. Wayne State 9-6 (6-6 D2, 5-6 NSIC) (-1)
L5 - 2-3
PG - L @ Bemidji State 63-53
LG - L vs. Augustana 79-76
UG - Jan. 21 vs. Winona State (12-3), Jan. 22 vs. Upper Iowa (5-10)
Note - This was a spot that had me contemplating MSU-Moorhead but in the end, I decided to stick with the Wildcats. Reasons being is that even though they have the same record, Wayne State won a head-to-head against them and I also believe there shouldn't be any shame in losing to Augustana by three points in double overtime. Wayne State gets a dandy Friday night as Winona State comes to town and it'll be interesting to see the point guard matchup between Amry Shelby and Ben Fischer. Two are arguably all-NSIC performers. Will Shelby's offensive abilities pull through or will Fischer's lockdown defensive abilities keep him in check? We shall see...
8. MSU-Moorhead 9-6 (6-5 D2, 6-5 NSIC) (-)
L5 - 3-2
PG - L @ Upper Iowa 66-54
LG - W @ Winona State 95-87
UG - Jan. 21 vs. Concordia-St. Paul (10-5), Jan. 22 vs. St. Cloud State (8-7)
Note - Man, I just can't understand this MSU-Moorhead team. How do you lose at Upper Iowa and then pull off a win in Winona after getting a 22 point lead at halftime against Winona State? My only answer is when the Dragons are hot, they just can't be stopped...the only thing you can do is try and outscore them when the shots are dropping in the net for this team. They shot 34% against Upper Iowa...they shot 58% against Winona State. What a difference a day makes, huh? Compound the fact that they got 15 offensive rebounds against WSU and well...you catch my drift. If MSU-Moorhead can continue to play with passion and consistency, I think they'll be a really tough team in the NSIC and a tough out in the NSIC tourney. Although, they'll need to somehow pull through this weekend to even think about it...they've got two tough opponents this weekend.
9. Bemidji State 7-8 (4-8 D2, 4-7 NSIC) (-)
L5 - 2-3
PG - L @ St. Cloud State 92-88 (OT)
LG - L @ Concordia-St. Paul 79-73
UG - Jan. 21 @ MSU-Mankato (13-2), Jan. 22 @ SW Minnesota State (6-9)
Note - I tell you what, the NSIC can be pretty unforgiving at times. Put this in perspective, after Friday night's game, the Beavers last five games would be against Augustana (10-5), Wayne State (9-6), St. Cloud State (8-7), Concordia-St. Paul (10-5) and MSU-Mankato (13-2). The records of those opponents are 50-25 (.666). That's a brutal stretch! It's hard to fault them with how they played at St. Cloud too because I'll be honest, that was one of the most exciting NSIC basketball games I watched all season. My feeling with the Beavers is, they are "close" but they aren't quite there yet as far as being a solid NSIC team. The pieces are coming together and they are playing solid NSIC teams tough but they are having a hard time pulling out wins. Their only win in that stretch is against a Wayne State team that's reeling a little bit. If the Beavers play with as much energy as they did against SCSU, I think they have a shot to win at MSU but that's a lot to ask for.
10. UM-Duluth 7-8 (5-8 D2, 5-6 NSIC) (-)
L5 - 0-5
PG - L @ Concordia-St. Paul 77-64
LG - L @ St. Cloud State 94-74
UG - Jan. 21 @ SW Minnesota State (6-9), Jan. 22 @ MSU-Mankato (13-2)
Note - I'll be honest...I think 10-14 are all pretty even. Being the #10 team in the NSIC really doesn't have many (if not, any) bragging rights over the #14 team in the NSIC. The way the Bulldogs are playing right now, I wouldn't say they are the tenth best team in the NSIC. However, since no one will step up and take this spot from UMD, I guess I'll just leave it with them. It's amazing how a team can suddenly go 5-0 to 0-6 in a matter of weeks is amazing to me. What happened? Granted, I didn't expect them to get a win this weekend but they looked more abysmal than usual. Ryan Rasmussen, who was putting up monster numbers had a weekend to forget scoring 19 points on 7-of-23 shooting in two games. I guess if there's any good news for the Bulldogs, they'll be playing a team that's struggling just as much as they are in SMSU. Granted, the game is on the road so it won't be an easy one for the Bulldogs.
11. Upper Iowa 5-10 (4-9 D2, 4-7 NSIC) (-)
L5 - 1-4
PG - W vs. MSU-Moorhead 66-54
LG - L vs. UM-Crookston 73-66 (OT)
UG - Jan. 21 @ Augustana (10-5), Jan. 22 @ Wayne State (9-6)
Note - Question Peacocks...how the hell do you beat MSU-Moorhead and then lose to UM-Crookston? Are you just one of those teams that plays up and down to your competition? I just about did a back flip in surprise of hearing the Peacocks lost to Crookston. Then again, I think Upper Iowa contracted the same thing WSU had...they only scored 23 points in the first half and had to make a nice rally just to force OT. This was a bitter one for Upper Iowa to swallow because it won't get any easier when they have to travel to Sioux Falls and Wayne this weekend.
12. Northern State 7-9 (3-9 D2, 3-9 NSIC) (+1)
L5 - 2-3
PG - L vs. MSU-Mankato 91-73
LG - W vs. SW Minnesota State 78-70
UG - Jan. 22 vs. U-Mary
Note - Well, there is one nice thing I can say about Northern State...they are finally starting to play some better basketball. It's still not that great but they are slowly starting to climb out of the proverbial NSIC cellar. The 18-point loss to MSU was expected but I don't think many were expecting them to get a win against SMSU, especially considering how tough they played Mary the night before. However, the Wolves have played well in three of their last four games and are looking to get a few more NSIC wins. However, I can't see them getting one this weekend when their travel partner in Mary comes to town.
13. SW Minnesota State 6-9 (5-8 D2, 3-8 NSIC) (-1)
L5 - 1-4
PG - L @ U-Mary 60-48
LG - L @ Northern State 78-70
UG - Jan. 21 vs. UM-Duluth (7-8), Jan. 22 vs. Bemidji State (7-8)
Note - If you would've told me SMSU would be one of the bottom three teams in the NSIC in late January, I would've told you to start watching basketball because they are one of the top half teams in the NSIC. Wow, what was I thinking? I thought for sure they were CLEARLY the sixth best team in the NSIC but they aren't even clearly the 13th best team in the NSIC. They've lost four straight and eight of their last nine with their only win coming against Crookston. The question I have to ask is, what does Brad Bigler need to do to figure things out? This team nearly made the NCAA tournament last year...right now, they aren't even on pace to make the NSIC tourney. Now, one thing I have noticed with SMSU the last few years is they tend to start off the season slow. They were 4-8 last year in the NSIC at this time so there is still time for them to make it but they need to start playing great basketball and start playing now. Luckily, they get UMD to start off the weekend.
14. UM-Crookston 6-9 (2-9 D2, 2-9 NSIC) (-)
PG - L @ Winona State 108-68
LG - W @ Upper Iowa 73-66 (OT)
UG - Jan. 21 vs. St. Cloud State (8-7), Jan. 22 vs. Concordia-St. Paul (10-5)
Note - Congrats to the Golden Bears on actually winning a game! After the Wayne State stunner, I didn't know if they'd win another game in the NSIC. This was UM-Crookston's first NSIC road win since December 7th, 2007 when they won against Concordia-St. Paul. I apologize for the sarcastic congratulations but you earned it. Now, I wonder how badly they'll get annihilated this weekend against St. Cloud State and Concordia-St. Paul? I'm guessing they'll need Eric Dearden to go off for them to even stay in the game.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Adam Stanek's Central Region Rankings (Jan. 13, 2010)
I was going to do this toward the end of January, start of February but I decided to get an early start (due to some inspiration from MSUMavMan2009 from the D2Hoops.com message board).
P.S. RPI is total schedule, including DI, DIII and NAIA. It was considered in the making of these rankings but wasn't exactly the deciding factor between teams competing for certain spots.
1. MSU-Mankato 11-1 D2, 8-1 region
RPI: 12
D2 Opponent Record: 55-70 (.440)
In-Region Opponent Record: 45-47 (.489)
Record vs. .500+: 6-0 (1.000)
Quality Wins: @ Winona State (8-2), vs. Michigan Tech (9-3), vs. Augustana (6-4), @ Concordia-St. Paul (6-4), vs. Wayne State (6-5), vs. MSU-Moorhead (5-4)
Notable Losses: None
Bad Losses: @ St. Cloud State (5-6)
2. Fort Lewis 11-2 D2, 11-2 region
RPI: 16
D2 Opponent Record: 70-80 (.466)
In-Region Record: 70-80 (.466)
Record vs. .500+: 4-1 (.800)
Quality Wins: @ Seattle Pacific (8-4), @ Washburn (6-5), vs. Adams State (7-2), vs New Mexico Highlands (7-4)
Notable Losses: vs. Mesa State (10-3)
Bad Losses: @ CSU-Pueblo (4-6)
3. Winona State 8-2 D2, 7-2 region
RPI: 22
D2 Opponent Record: 53-54 (.495)
In-Region Opponent Record: 50-47 (.515)
Record vs. .500+: 2-1(.666)
Quality Wins: vs. Mary (9-4), @ Concordia-St. Paul (6-4)
Notable Losses: vs. MSU-Mankato (11-1)
Bad Losses: @ UM-Duluth (5-6)
4. Metro State 9-2 D2, 9-2 region
RPI: 18
D2 Opponent Record: 60-68 (.468)
In-Region Record: 60-68 (.468)
Record vs. .500+: 2-2 (.500)
Quality Wins: @ Mesa State (10-3), vs. Colorado Mines (8-2)
Notable Losses: @ Central Washington (9-2), @ New Mexico Highlands (7-4)
Bad Losses: None
5. Colorado Mines 8-2 D2, 8-2 region
D2 Opponent Record: 53-63 (.456)
In-Region Record: 53-63 (.456)
Record vs. .500+: 2-1 (.666)
Quality Wins: vs. St. Martin's (10-5), vs. New Mexico Highlands (7-4)
Notable Losses: @ Metro State (9-2)
Bad Losses: vs. Western New Mexico (5-8)
6. Adams State 7-2 D2, 7-2 region
RPI: 23
D2 Opponent Record: 53-58 (.477)
In-Region Record: 53-58 (.477)
Record vs. .500+: 1-2 (.333)
Quality Wins: vs. New Mexico Highlands (7-4)
Notable Losses: @ Fort Lewis (11-2), vs. Mesa State (10-3)
Bad Losses: None
7. Mesa State 10-3 D2, 10-3 region
RPI: 23
D2 Opponent Record: 68-75 (.475)
In-Region Record: 68-75 (.475)
Record vs. 500+: 4-1 (.800)
Quality Wins: vs. Dixie State (5-4), vs. New Mexico Highlands (7-4), @ Fort Lewis (11-2), @ Adams State (7-2)
Notable Losses: @ Metro State (9-2)
Bad Losses: @ Chadron State (4-8), @ Nebraska-Kearney (6-8)
8. New Mexico Highlands 7-4 D2, 6-4 region
RPI: 36
D2 Opponent Record: 69-53 (.565)
In-Region Record: 60-51 (.540)
Record vs. .500+: 2-4 (.333)
Quality Wins: vs. Metro State (9-2), vs. Grand Valley State (9-2)
Notable Losses: @ Mesa State (10-3), @ Colorado Mines (8-2), @ Fort Lewis (11-2), @ Adams State (7-2)
Bad Losses: None
9. Mary 9-4 D2, 8-4 region
RPI: 45
D2 Opponent Record: 58-76 (.432)
In-Region Record: 56-69 (.448)
Record vs. .500+: 1-4 (.200)
Quality Wins: @ MSU-Moorhead
Notable Losses: vs. Concordia-St. Paul (6-4), @ Augustana (6-4), @ Wayne State (6-5), @ Winona State (8-2)
Bad Losses: None
10. Augustana 6-4 D2, 6-4 region
RPI: 69
D2 Opponent Record: 53-53 (.500)
In-Region Record: 53-53 (.500)
Record vs. .500+: 2-2 (.500)
Quality Wins: vs. Mary (9-4), vs. Concordia-St. Paul (6-4)
Notable Losses: @ MSU-Mankato (11-1), @ MSU-Moorhead (5-4)
Bad Losses: @ SW Minnesota State (5-6), @ St. Cloud State (5-6)
Honorable Mentions:
Concordia-St. Paul 6-4 D2, 5-4 region
RPI: 45
D2 Opponent Record: 59-52 (.531)
In-Region Record: 53-45 (.540)
Record vs. .500+: 2-3 (.400)
Quality Wins: @ Mary (9-4), @ Wayne State (6-5)
Notable Losses: vs. MSU-Mankato (11-1), @ Augustana (6-4), @ Winona State (8-2)
Bad Losses: @ Northern State (2-8)
Wayne State 6-5 D2, 6-5 region
RPI: 54
D2 Opponent: 59-61 (.491)
In-Region Record: 59-61 (.491)
Record vs. .500+: 2-2 (.500)
Quality Wins: vs. Mary (9-4), @ MSU-Moorhead (5-4)
Notable Losses: @ MSU-Mankato (11-1), @ Concordia-St. Paul (6-4)
Bad Losses: @ SW Minnesota State (5-6), @ UM-Crookston (1-8), @ Bemidji State (4-6)
MSU-Moorhead 5-4 D2, 5-4 region
RPI: 90
D2 Opponent: 49-48 (.505)
In-Region Record: 49-48 (.505)
Record vs. .500+: 1-3 (.250)
Quality Wins: vs. Augustana (6-4)
Notable Losses: vs. Wayne State (6-5), @ MSU-Mankato (11-1), vs. Mary (9-4)
Bad Losses: @ UM-Duluth (5-6)
P.S. RPI is total schedule, including DI, DIII and NAIA. It was considered in the making of these rankings but wasn't exactly the deciding factor between teams competing for certain spots.
1. MSU-Mankato 11-1 D2, 8-1 region
RPI: 12
D2 Opponent Record: 55-70 (.440)
In-Region Opponent Record: 45-47 (.489)
Record vs. .500+: 6-0 (1.000)
Quality Wins: @ Winona State (8-2), vs. Michigan Tech (9-3), vs. Augustana (6-4), @ Concordia-St. Paul (6-4), vs. Wayne State (6-5), vs. MSU-Moorhead (5-4)
Notable Losses: None
Bad Losses: @ St. Cloud State (5-6)
2. Fort Lewis 11-2 D2, 11-2 region
RPI: 16
D2 Opponent Record: 70-80 (.466)
In-Region Record: 70-80 (.466)
Record vs. .500+: 4-1 (.800)
Quality Wins: @ Seattle Pacific (8-4), @ Washburn (6-5), vs. Adams State (7-2), vs New Mexico Highlands (7-4)
Notable Losses: vs. Mesa State (10-3)
Bad Losses: @ CSU-Pueblo (4-6)
3. Winona State 8-2 D2, 7-2 region
RPI: 22
D2 Opponent Record: 53-54 (.495)
In-Region Opponent Record: 50-47 (.515)
Record vs. .500+: 2-1(.666)
Quality Wins: vs. Mary (9-4), @ Concordia-St. Paul (6-4)
Notable Losses: vs. MSU-Mankato (11-1)
Bad Losses: @ UM-Duluth (5-6)
4. Metro State 9-2 D2, 9-2 region
RPI: 18
D2 Opponent Record: 60-68 (.468)
In-Region Record: 60-68 (.468)
Record vs. .500+: 2-2 (.500)
Quality Wins: @ Mesa State (10-3), vs. Colorado Mines (8-2)
Notable Losses: @ Central Washington (9-2), @ New Mexico Highlands (7-4)
Bad Losses: None
5. Colorado Mines 8-2 D2, 8-2 region
D2 Opponent Record: 53-63 (.456)
In-Region Record: 53-63 (.456)
Record vs. .500+: 2-1 (.666)
Quality Wins: vs. St. Martin's (10-5), vs. New Mexico Highlands (7-4)
Notable Losses: @ Metro State (9-2)
Bad Losses: vs. Western New Mexico (5-8)
6. Adams State 7-2 D2, 7-2 region
RPI: 23
D2 Opponent Record: 53-58 (.477)
In-Region Record: 53-58 (.477)
Record vs. .500+: 1-2 (.333)
Quality Wins: vs. New Mexico Highlands (7-4)
Notable Losses: @ Fort Lewis (11-2), vs. Mesa State (10-3)
Bad Losses: None
7. Mesa State 10-3 D2, 10-3 region
RPI: 23
D2 Opponent Record: 68-75 (.475)
In-Region Record: 68-75 (.475)
Record vs. 500+: 4-1 (.800)
Quality Wins: vs. Dixie State (5-4), vs. New Mexico Highlands (7-4), @ Fort Lewis (11-2), @ Adams State (7-2)
Notable Losses: @ Metro State (9-2)
Bad Losses: @ Chadron State (4-8), @ Nebraska-Kearney (6-8)
8. New Mexico Highlands 7-4 D2, 6-4 region
RPI: 36
D2 Opponent Record: 69-53 (.565)
In-Region Record: 60-51 (.540)
Record vs. .500+: 2-4 (.333)
Quality Wins: vs. Metro State (9-2), vs. Grand Valley State (9-2)
Notable Losses: @ Mesa State (10-3), @ Colorado Mines (8-2), @ Fort Lewis (11-2), @ Adams State (7-2)
Bad Losses: None
9. Mary 9-4 D2, 8-4 region
RPI: 45
D2 Opponent Record: 58-76 (.432)
In-Region Record: 56-69 (.448)
Record vs. .500+: 1-4 (.200)
Quality Wins: @ MSU-Moorhead
Notable Losses: vs. Concordia-St. Paul (6-4), @ Augustana (6-4), @ Wayne State (6-5), @ Winona State (8-2)
Bad Losses: None
10. Augustana 6-4 D2, 6-4 region
RPI: 69
D2 Opponent Record: 53-53 (.500)
In-Region Record: 53-53 (.500)
Record vs. .500+: 2-2 (.500)
Quality Wins: vs. Mary (9-4), vs. Concordia-St. Paul (6-4)
Notable Losses: @ MSU-Mankato (11-1), @ MSU-Moorhead (5-4)
Bad Losses: @ SW Minnesota State (5-6), @ St. Cloud State (5-6)
Honorable Mentions:
Concordia-St. Paul 6-4 D2, 5-4 region
RPI: 45
D2 Opponent Record: 59-52 (.531)
In-Region Record: 53-45 (.540)
Record vs. .500+: 2-3 (.400)
Quality Wins: @ Mary (9-4), @ Wayne State (6-5)
Notable Losses: vs. MSU-Mankato (11-1), @ Augustana (6-4), @ Winona State (8-2)
Bad Losses: @ Northern State (2-8)
Wayne State 6-5 D2, 6-5 region
RPI: 54
D2 Opponent: 59-61 (.491)
In-Region Record: 59-61 (.491)
Record vs. .500+: 2-2 (.500)
Quality Wins: vs. Mary (9-4), @ MSU-Moorhead (5-4)
Notable Losses: @ MSU-Mankato (11-1), @ Concordia-St. Paul (6-4)
Bad Losses: @ SW Minnesota State (5-6), @ UM-Crookston (1-8), @ Bemidji State (4-6)
MSU-Moorhead 5-4 D2, 5-4 region
RPI: 90
D2 Opponent: 49-48 (.505)
In-Region Record: 49-48 (.505)
Record vs. .500+: 1-3 (.250)
Quality Wins: vs. Augustana (6-4)
Notable Losses: vs. Wayne State (6-5), @ MSU-Mankato (11-1), vs. Mary (9-4)
Bad Losses: @ UM-Duluth (5-6)
Adam Stanek's NSIC Power Rankings (Jan. 11, 2010)
Hey, y'all. Sorry, I took a month off after being assaulted with the holidays and work. Now that the holidays are over, I think I'll get back to doing my power rankings again. At least the good news is things are becoming a little more clear cut then they were when I left off. With no further ado, here are my rankings...
1. MSU-Mankato 12-1 (11-1 D2, 8-1 NSIC)
L5 - 5-0
PG - W vs. UM-Crookston 82-72
LG - W vs. SW Minnesota State 84-76
UG - Jan. 14 @ Northern State (6-8), Jan. 15 @ U-Mary (10-4)
Note - The Mavericks are one of the biggest surprises in the early season. Not only do they have the best record in the NSIC, but the best record in the region. They didn't have the most impressive set of home games but this year in the NSIC, it doesn't matter what you win by...just as long as you win. Jefferson Mason continues to put up all-NSIC type numbers, putting up 23 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and six steals against the Mustangs. The Mavericks will have a challenging road test ahead of them, as Northern State is desperate for a win and U-Mary is playing great basketball right now.
2. Winona State 11-2 (8-2 D2, 7-2 NSIC)
L5 - 4-1
PG - W @ Concordia-St. Paul 85-62
LG - W @ St. Cloud State 93-91 (OT)
UG - Jan. 14 vs. UM-Crookston (5-8), Jan. 15 vs. MSU-Moorhead (8-5)
Note - Winona State could not have started the new year any better, going 4-0 in the last four games and against quality opponents (U-Mary, Northern State, Concordia-St. Paul, St. Cloud State). The Warriors had a great weekend completely annihilating Concordia-St. Paul on Saturday and followed it up with an intense win against St. Cloud, capped off with an 18-foot jumper with a second left in OT by Ben Fischer to give WSU a two-point win. However, the difference-maker lately has been Clayton Vette, who is starting to look like a dominant center. He scored 28 points on 12-of-16 shooting while gathering 13 rebounds. WSU comes back home and plays a few easier opponents this week, taking on UM-Crookston on Friday night and MSU-Moorhead on Saturday.
3. U-Mary 10-4 (10-4 D2, 6-4 NSIC)
L5 - 4-1
PG - W @ MSU-Moorhead 72-57
LG - W @ UM-Crookston 71-55
UG - Jan. 14 vs. SW Minnesota State (6-7), Jan. 15 vs. MSU-Mankato (12-1)
Note - It's hard to argue this spot with the way Mary is playing. They are only one of three teams in the NSIC with 10 victories and after starting out the conference season 1-3, they've rebounded nicely winning five of their last six games. Winning on the road in the NSIC isn't easy this year but Mary went 3-1 on these last two road trips, with the only loss being a one-point loss at Winona State. Anthony Moody is putting up NSIC POY numbers, leading the NSIC in scoring (19.6 PPG), sixth in assists (4.36 APG), eighth in steals (1.57 SPG), and minutes played (38.43 MPG). Mary is going to need a strong effort out of him and his teammates this weekend, because they will be hosting an SMSU team that's desperate for a victory and an MSU team that is poised to make a run at hosting the regional for a second straight year.
4. Augustana 9-5 (6-4 D2, 6-4 NSIC)
L5 - 3-2
PG - W @ Bemidji State 69-67
LG - W @ UM-Duluth 76-49
UG - Jan. 15 @ Wayne State (9-5)
Note - After getting the season off to a slow 3-3 start, the Vikings have rebounded nicely, winning three straight and six of their last eight games. The factor? Balance. In their wins against Bemidji and Duluth, four players scored in double figures in each game. It's not just the McCaffrey and Schilling show anymore in Sioux Falls. I think in many fans minds, they knew Augie would not be down for long. They are too well coached and have too much talent to be in the bottom half in the league. Considering how well the Vikings are playing, they might just be able to pull off a third straight road victory. It'll be tough though, as they play travel partner Wayne State in Wayne, NE...not an easy place to come away with a W.
5. Concordia-St. Paul 8-5 (6-4 D2, 5-4 NSIC)
L5 - 3-2
PG - L vs. Winona State 85-62
LG - W vs. Upper Iowa 82-73
UG - Jan. 14 vs. UM-Duluth (7-6), Jan. 15 vs. Bemidji State (7-6)
Note - I like to call the Golden Bears "the splitter," because it seems like they split every weekend series they play. Of the five weekends we've had in NSIC play, they've split four of them and the one they didn't was against their travel partner in St. Cloud State. They can come out and look great and they can also come out and look terrible. They looked mediocre against Augustana and downright dreadful against Winona State. However, they did seem to right the ship when they got a nice win against the Peacocks on Sunday. I had a hard time putting them here considering how they played against Augie and WSU but considering they beat SCSU in their home gym, I felt I owed them this much. This weekend's series could be an interesting one because UM-Duluth comes to town...they've been in a struggle losing four of their last five. They take on Bemidji State on Saturday night, a team that is 2-1 on the road and 2-4 at home.
6. Wayne State 9-5 (6-5 D2, 5-5 NSIC)
L5 - 2-3
PG - W @ UM-Duluth 111-104 (2OT)
LG - L @ Bemidji State 63-53
UG - Jan. 15 vs. Augustana (9-5)
Note - I had a tough time making this pick between Wayne and St. Cloud, but all-in-all, I decided to go with Wayne for two reasons. For one, they beat St. Cloud State handily the weekend before and secondly, their one loss last weekend was coming off a double-overtime performance. I almost had a loss written down in the column going into that Bemidji game because I thought they'd be exhausted from the game the night before. However, Wayne is far from playing their best basketball. During their 2-3 stretch, they are so far the only NSIC team this season to lose to UM-Crookston. That really needs to put a black eye on their program even though the Golden Eagles seem improved. All-in-all, the Wildcats need to take care of business this weekend when Augustana comes to town. They are two teams going in different directions right now.
7. St. Cloud State 6-7 (5-6 D2, 5-4 NSIC)
L5 - 2-3
PG - W vs. Upper Iowa 76-68
LG - L vs. Winona State 93-91 (OT)
UG - Jan. 14 vs. Bemidji State (7-6), Jan. 15 vs. UM-Duluth (7-6)
Note - I have a hard time putting the Huskies in this spot because I know they are better than the seventh best team in the NSIC. They are 6-7 but they're 5-3 in their last eight. They are making strides in the right direction but this team just can't get healthy. With Jesse Fisher and Theo Rothstein both out, they were only able to go eight deep this past weekend and really only seven of those guys saw significant minutes. Injuries have plagued the Huskies all season but with the way Taylor Witt and Andrew Bernstetter are playing, they are carrying this team. Bernstetter scored 64 points on 23-of-37 FG, 7-of-11 3ptFG, 11-of-14 FT and gathered 23 rebounds in two games. That's phenomenal, and Witt was no slouch himself scoring 43 points and dishing out 15 assists. However, the Huskies need to start getting production from their other players as both the Beavers and Bulldogs come to town. It might not be a bad draw considering the buzz saw they went through this past weekend.
8. MSU-Moorhead 8-5 (5-4 D2, 5-4 NSIC)
L5 - 3-2
PG - L vs. U-Mary 72-57
LG - W vs. Northern State 72-71
UG - Jan. 14 @ Upper Iowa (4-9), Jan. 15 @ Winona State (11-2)
Note - The Dragons are a tough team to read so far this season. I can't tell if they are really good or just plain average. In a sense, they are just like Concordia-St. Paul where they split just about every weekend. However, this past weekend did show that perhaps the Dragons are coming a bit down to Earth. While it was true that they got beat up at home against a Mary team that was hot as the sun, they struggled to beat a bottom-feeding Northern State team, who missed a shot at the buzzer that would've won the game. When I look at this Dragons team though, they seem to have a lot of young talent and rookie head coach Chad Walthall seems to be doing a good job of coaching them up. I know I didn't expect to see them at 8-5 at this point in the season, and beat teams like Augie and SMSU to get there. They'll have a challenge on their hands this weekend though when they travel to Upper Iowa, who are a pesky bunch and a red-hot Winona State team in McCown.
9. Bemidji State 7-6 (4-6 D2, 4-5 NSIC)
L5 - 3-2
PG - L vs. Augustana 69-67
LG - W vs. Wayne State 63-53
UG - Jan. 14 @ St. Cloud State (5-6), Jan. 15 @ Concordia-St. Paul (8-5)
Note - After getting off to an abysmal start in NSIC play, the Beavers have looked much better of late, winning three of their last five and their two losses coming against U-Mary on their turf and Augie in a barn-burner. Much like Augustana, the Beavers seem to be finding better balance and the team appears to have much stronger play now that Lance Rongstad is finally starting to get healthy. James Ellisor has been a fantastic player in NSIC play thus far and now that Rongstad, Bryce Tesdahl, Mason Walters and Patrick Cassidy are supplying support, I believe they can make a push for the upper half of the NSIC. It'll be a challege getting there this weekend though, as they travel to St. Cloud and St. Paul for two tough games. It would serve them well if they could get at least a split on that road trip.
10. UM-Duluth 7-6 (5-6 D2, 5-4 NSIC)
L5 - 1-4
PG - L vs. Wayne State 111-104 (2OT)
LG - L vs. Augustana 76-49
UG - Jan. 14 @ Concordia-St. Paul (8-5), Jan. 15 @ St. Cloud State (6-7)
Note - Are the Bulldogs who we thought they were? Judging by the last five games, it certainly seems like it. After starting off conference play 4-0, they've now dropped four of their last five games. Worst part of all, three straight home losses. This is a terrible time for UMD to struggle because of the 13 remaining games on the schedule, only four of them are home games. Did I already mention it's not easy to win on the road? It's amazing that UMD went from first in the NSIC to a team that's in danger of dropping out of the top 8 in the NSIC in a matter of a month. This road trip to St. Paul and St. Cloud doesn't compound well for the Bulldogs because they are playing two teams that are tough to beat on their respective home courts and are playing much better basketball than the Bulldogs right now.
11. Upper Iowa 4-9 (3-8 D2, 3-6 NSIC)
L5 - 2-3
PG - L @ St. Cloud State 76-68
LG - L @ Concordia-St. Paul 82-73
UG - Jan. 14 vs. MSU-Moorhead (8-5), Jan. 15 vs. UM-Crookston (5-8)
Note - I had a tough time deciding between the Peacocks and Mustangs for this spot, but in the end, I decided to go with Upper Iowa because they've been playing much better basketball than the Mustangs, even in their losses. Upper Iowa might be the most deceptive 4-9 basketball team in the NSIC. They've only lost two conference games by double figures, and in both those games, they were extremely competitive for most of the game (against the top two teams in the NSIC, no less). However, the Peacocks are in the midst of a three-game losing streak and are looking to break out of it. They'll have a better chance this weekend when they host MSU-Moorhead and UM-Crookston. However, they also know they can't overlook either team, as both are better teams than they were last year.
12. SW Minnesota State 6-7 (5-6 D2, 3-6 NSIC)
L5 - 1-4
PG - L vs. MSU-Moorhead 84-64
LG - L @ MSU-Mankato 84-76
UG - Jan. 14 @ U-Mary (10-4), Jan. 15 @ Northern State (6-8)
Note - The Mustangs are in perhaps the worst slump I've ever personally seen them in. After starting off conference play with impressive wins over Augustana and Wayne State, they've lost six of their last seven games. It's hard to fault them though...four of those six losses were by two points or less. Irony would have it that one weekend provided losses with missed shots at the buzzer and the next weekend would be losing two games with made shots at the buzzer. Lately though, their losses are becoming more...horrific. Losing by 20 at MSU-Moorhead (despite how improved, is embarrassing). From the outside looking in, it appears this team needs somebody outside of Jordan Miller and Scott Roehl to step up for them. This will be a telling weekend for the Mustangs as they travel to Mary and Northern State this weekend. I guess if there's any good news, the Mustangs are 2-0 in the Dakotas/Nebraska...
13. Northern State 6-8 (2-8 D2, 2-8 NSIC)
L5 - 1-4
PG - W @ UM-Crookston 75-65
LG - L @ MSU-Moorhead 72-71
UG - Jan. 14 vs. MSU-Mankato (12-1), Jan. 15 vs. SW Minnesota State (6-7)
Note - I said at the beginning of the year that Northern State would surprise everyone in the league. Oh, they are surprising everyone all right...they are surprisingly bad. What's funny about Northern is they are the third best scoring team in the league, averaging 77.6 PPG. However, the problem is with their defense. They are dead last in scoring defense, giving up 77.4 PPG. Isn't it ironic what happens when you play a weak OOC? After starting out 5-0 (one being a conference victory), the Wolves have lost eight of their last nine games and their one win being at Crookston. Granted, the Wolves did play better this weekend, ALMOST getting a road sweep. However, the fact remains that they still aren't playing that well and need to do a better job on defense. This weekend, they come home but it might not be so home-sweet-home as they host the top team in the region thus far in MSU-Mankato and follow it up with an SMSU team who is just as desperate for a victory as they are.
14. UM-Crookston 5-8 (1-8 D2, 1-8 NSIC)
L5 - 1-4
PG - L vs. Northern State 75-65
LG - L vs. U-Mary 71-55
UG - Jan. 14 @ Winona State (11-2), Jan. 15 @ Upper Iowa (4-9)
Note - Well, I don't think any of us should be surprised that the Golden Eagles are the worst team in the NSIC but one thing I am surprised about is they aren't getting beaten as badly as I thought they would. Since their opening round games, they have not lost an NSIC game by more than 16 points. Last year, 14 of UMC's 22 losses were by more than that margin. So far, UMC only has two terrible losses and they were both the opening weekend of NSIC play. There are two big reasons why UMC plays much better this year. First reason, Eric Dearden. He's been a great addition to the Golden Eagles, scoring 13.4 PPG and is almost averaging two steals a game. Second reason, Adam Hendricks. Hendricks is averaging 11.5 PPG and appears to be the team's leader considering he's one of the few starters from last year's squad contributing to this one. The Golden Eagles are put in a tough situation as they travel to Winona State and Upper Iowa this weekend, two VERY tough places to play and win.
1. MSU-Mankato 12-1 (11-1 D2, 8-1 NSIC)
L5 - 5-0
PG - W vs. UM-Crookston 82-72
LG - W vs. SW Minnesota State 84-76
UG - Jan. 14 @ Northern State (6-8), Jan. 15 @ U-Mary (10-4)
Note - The Mavericks are one of the biggest surprises in the early season. Not only do they have the best record in the NSIC, but the best record in the region. They didn't have the most impressive set of home games but this year in the NSIC, it doesn't matter what you win by...just as long as you win. Jefferson Mason continues to put up all-NSIC type numbers, putting up 23 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and six steals against the Mustangs. The Mavericks will have a challenging road test ahead of them, as Northern State is desperate for a win and U-Mary is playing great basketball right now.
2. Winona State 11-2 (8-2 D2, 7-2 NSIC)
L5 - 4-1
PG - W @ Concordia-St. Paul 85-62
LG - W @ St. Cloud State 93-91 (OT)
UG - Jan. 14 vs. UM-Crookston (5-8), Jan. 15 vs. MSU-Moorhead (8-5)
Note - Winona State could not have started the new year any better, going 4-0 in the last four games and against quality opponents (U-Mary, Northern State, Concordia-St. Paul, St. Cloud State). The Warriors had a great weekend completely annihilating Concordia-St. Paul on Saturday and followed it up with an intense win against St. Cloud, capped off with an 18-foot jumper with a second left in OT by Ben Fischer to give WSU a two-point win. However, the difference-maker lately has been Clayton Vette, who is starting to look like a dominant center. He scored 28 points on 12-of-16 shooting while gathering 13 rebounds. WSU comes back home and plays a few easier opponents this week, taking on UM-Crookston on Friday night and MSU-Moorhead on Saturday.
3. U-Mary 10-4 (10-4 D2, 6-4 NSIC)
L5 - 4-1
PG - W @ MSU-Moorhead 72-57
LG - W @ UM-Crookston 71-55
UG - Jan. 14 vs. SW Minnesota State (6-7), Jan. 15 vs. MSU-Mankato (12-1)
Note - It's hard to argue this spot with the way Mary is playing. They are only one of three teams in the NSIC with 10 victories and after starting out the conference season 1-3, they've rebounded nicely winning five of their last six games. Winning on the road in the NSIC isn't easy this year but Mary went 3-1 on these last two road trips, with the only loss being a one-point loss at Winona State. Anthony Moody is putting up NSIC POY numbers, leading the NSIC in scoring (19.6 PPG), sixth in assists (4.36 APG), eighth in steals (1.57 SPG), and minutes played (38.43 MPG). Mary is going to need a strong effort out of him and his teammates this weekend, because they will be hosting an SMSU team that's desperate for a victory and an MSU team that is poised to make a run at hosting the regional for a second straight year.
4. Augustana 9-5 (6-4 D2, 6-4 NSIC)
L5 - 3-2
PG - W @ Bemidji State 69-67
LG - W @ UM-Duluth 76-49
UG - Jan. 15 @ Wayne State (9-5)
Note - After getting the season off to a slow 3-3 start, the Vikings have rebounded nicely, winning three straight and six of their last eight games. The factor? Balance. In their wins against Bemidji and Duluth, four players scored in double figures in each game. It's not just the McCaffrey and Schilling show anymore in Sioux Falls. I think in many fans minds, they knew Augie would not be down for long. They are too well coached and have too much talent to be in the bottom half in the league. Considering how well the Vikings are playing, they might just be able to pull off a third straight road victory. It'll be tough though, as they play travel partner Wayne State in Wayne, NE...not an easy place to come away with a W.
5. Concordia-St. Paul 8-5 (6-4 D2, 5-4 NSIC)
L5 - 3-2
PG - L vs. Winona State 85-62
LG - W vs. Upper Iowa 82-73
UG - Jan. 14 vs. UM-Duluth (7-6), Jan. 15 vs. Bemidji State (7-6)
Note - I like to call the Golden Bears "the splitter," because it seems like they split every weekend series they play. Of the five weekends we've had in NSIC play, they've split four of them and the one they didn't was against their travel partner in St. Cloud State. They can come out and look great and they can also come out and look terrible. They looked mediocre against Augustana and downright dreadful against Winona State. However, they did seem to right the ship when they got a nice win against the Peacocks on Sunday. I had a hard time putting them here considering how they played against Augie and WSU but considering they beat SCSU in their home gym, I felt I owed them this much. This weekend's series could be an interesting one because UM-Duluth comes to town...they've been in a struggle losing four of their last five. They take on Bemidji State on Saturday night, a team that is 2-1 on the road and 2-4 at home.
6. Wayne State 9-5 (6-5 D2, 5-5 NSIC)
L5 - 2-3
PG - W @ UM-Duluth 111-104 (2OT)
LG - L @ Bemidji State 63-53
UG - Jan. 15 vs. Augustana (9-5)
Note - I had a tough time making this pick between Wayne and St. Cloud, but all-in-all, I decided to go with Wayne for two reasons. For one, they beat St. Cloud State handily the weekend before and secondly, their one loss last weekend was coming off a double-overtime performance. I almost had a loss written down in the column going into that Bemidji game because I thought they'd be exhausted from the game the night before. However, Wayne is far from playing their best basketball. During their 2-3 stretch, they are so far the only NSIC team this season to lose to UM-Crookston. That really needs to put a black eye on their program even though the Golden Eagles seem improved. All-in-all, the Wildcats need to take care of business this weekend when Augustana comes to town. They are two teams going in different directions right now.
7. St. Cloud State 6-7 (5-6 D2, 5-4 NSIC)
L5 - 2-3
PG - W vs. Upper Iowa 76-68
LG - L vs. Winona State 93-91 (OT)
UG - Jan. 14 vs. Bemidji State (7-6), Jan. 15 vs. UM-Duluth (7-6)
Note - I have a hard time putting the Huskies in this spot because I know they are better than the seventh best team in the NSIC. They are 6-7 but they're 5-3 in their last eight. They are making strides in the right direction but this team just can't get healthy. With Jesse Fisher and Theo Rothstein both out, they were only able to go eight deep this past weekend and really only seven of those guys saw significant minutes. Injuries have plagued the Huskies all season but with the way Taylor Witt and Andrew Bernstetter are playing, they are carrying this team. Bernstetter scored 64 points on 23-of-37 FG, 7-of-11 3ptFG, 11-of-14 FT and gathered 23 rebounds in two games. That's phenomenal, and Witt was no slouch himself scoring 43 points and dishing out 15 assists. However, the Huskies need to start getting production from their other players as both the Beavers and Bulldogs come to town. It might not be a bad draw considering the buzz saw they went through this past weekend.
8. MSU-Moorhead 8-5 (5-4 D2, 5-4 NSIC)
L5 - 3-2
PG - L vs. U-Mary 72-57
LG - W vs. Northern State 72-71
UG - Jan. 14 @ Upper Iowa (4-9), Jan. 15 @ Winona State (11-2)
Note - The Dragons are a tough team to read so far this season. I can't tell if they are really good or just plain average. In a sense, they are just like Concordia-St. Paul where they split just about every weekend. However, this past weekend did show that perhaps the Dragons are coming a bit down to Earth. While it was true that they got beat up at home against a Mary team that was hot as the sun, they struggled to beat a bottom-feeding Northern State team, who missed a shot at the buzzer that would've won the game. When I look at this Dragons team though, they seem to have a lot of young talent and rookie head coach Chad Walthall seems to be doing a good job of coaching them up. I know I didn't expect to see them at 8-5 at this point in the season, and beat teams like Augie and SMSU to get there. They'll have a challenge on their hands this weekend though when they travel to Upper Iowa, who are a pesky bunch and a red-hot Winona State team in McCown.
9. Bemidji State 7-6 (4-6 D2, 4-5 NSIC)
L5 - 3-2
PG - L vs. Augustana 69-67
LG - W vs. Wayne State 63-53
UG - Jan. 14 @ St. Cloud State (5-6), Jan. 15 @ Concordia-St. Paul (8-5)
Note - After getting off to an abysmal start in NSIC play, the Beavers have looked much better of late, winning three of their last five and their two losses coming against U-Mary on their turf and Augie in a barn-burner. Much like Augustana, the Beavers seem to be finding better balance and the team appears to have much stronger play now that Lance Rongstad is finally starting to get healthy. James Ellisor has been a fantastic player in NSIC play thus far and now that Rongstad, Bryce Tesdahl, Mason Walters and Patrick Cassidy are supplying support, I believe they can make a push for the upper half of the NSIC. It'll be a challege getting there this weekend though, as they travel to St. Cloud and St. Paul for two tough games. It would serve them well if they could get at least a split on that road trip.
10. UM-Duluth 7-6 (5-6 D2, 5-4 NSIC)
L5 - 1-4
PG - L vs. Wayne State 111-104 (2OT)
LG - L vs. Augustana 76-49
UG - Jan. 14 @ Concordia-St. Paul (8-5), Jan. 15 @ St. Cloud State (6-7)
Note - Are the Bulldogs who we thought they were? Judging by the last five games, it certainly seems like it. After starting off conference play 4-0, they've now dropped four of their last five games. Worst part of all, three straight home losses. This is a terrible time for UMD to struggle because of the 13 remaining games on the schedule, only four of them are home games. Did I already mention it's not easy to win on the road? It's amazing that UMD went from first in the NSIC to a team that's in danger of dropping out of the top 8 in the NSIC in a matter of a month. This road trip to St. Paul and St. Cloud doesn't compound well for the Bulldogs because they are playing two teams that are tough to beat on their respective home courts and are playing much better basketball than the Bulldogs right now.
11. Upper Iowa 4-9 (3-8 D2, 3-6 NSIC)
L5 - 2-3
PG - L @ St. Cloud State 76-68
LG - L @ Concordia-St. Paul 82-73
UG - Jan. 14 vs. MSU-Moorhead (8-5), Jan. 15 vs. UM-Crookston (5-8)
Note - I had a tough time deciding between the Peacocks and Mustangs for this spot, but in the end, I decided to go with Upper Iowa because they've been playing much better basketball than the Mustangs, even in their losses. Upper Iowa might be the most deceptive 4-9 basketball team in the NSIC. They've only lost two conference games by double figures, and in both those games, they were extremely competitive for most of the game (against the top two teams in the NSIC, no less). However, the Peacocks are in the midst of a three-game losing streak and are looking to break out of it. They'll have a better chance this weekend when they host MSU-Moorhead and UM-Crookston. However, they also know they can't overlook either team, as both are better teams than they were last year.
12. SW Minnesota State 6-7 (5-6 D2, 3-6 NSIC)
L5 - 1-4
PG - L vs. MSU-Moorhead 84-64
LG - L @ MSU-Mankato 84-76
UG - Jan. 14 @ U-Mary (10-4), Jan. 15 @ Northern State (6-8)
Note - The Mustangs are in perhaps the worst slump I've ever personally seen them in. After starting off conference play with impressive wins over Augustana and Wayne State, they've lost six of their last seven games. It's hard to fault them though...four of those six losses were by two points or less. Irony would have it that one weekend provided losses with missed shots at the buzzer and the next weekend would be losing two games with made shots at the buzzer. Lately though, their losses are becoming more...horrific. Losing by 20 at MSU-Moorhead (despite how improved, is embarrassing). From the outside looking in, it appears this team needs somebody outside of Jordan Miller and Scott Roehl to step up for them. This will be a telling weekend for the Mustangs as they travel to Mary and Northern State this weekend. I guess if there's any good news, the Mustangs are 2-0 in the Dakotas/Nebraska...
13. Northern State 6-8 (2-8 D2, 2-8 NSIC)
L5 - 1-4
PG - W @ UM-Crookston 75-65
LG - L @ MSU-Moorhead 72-71
UG - Jan. 14 vs. MSU-Mankato (12-1), Jan. 15 vs. SW Minnesota State (6-7)
Note - I said at the beginning of the year that Northern State would surprise everyone in the league. Oh, they are surprising everyone all right...they are surprisingly bad. What's funny about Northern is they are the third best scoring team in the league, averaging 77.6 PPG. However, the problem is with their defense. They are dead last in scoring defense, giving up 77.4 PPG. Isn't it ironic what happens when you play a weak OOC? After starting out 5-0 (one being a conference victory), the Wolves have lost eight of their last nine games and their one win being at Crookston. Granted, the Wolves did play better this weekend, ALMOST getting a road sweep. However, the fact remains that they still aren't playing that well and need to do a better job on defense. This weekend, they come home but it might not be so home-sweet-home as they host the top team in the region thus far in MSU-Mankato and follow it up with an SMSU team who is just as desperate for a victory as they are.
14. UM-Crookston 5-8 (1-8 D2, 1-8 NSIC)
L5 - 1-4
PG - L vs. Northern State 75-65
LG - L vs. U-Mary 71-55
UG - Jan. 14 @ Winona State (11-2), Jan. 15 @ Upper Iowa (4-9)
Note - Well, I don't think any of us should be surprised that the Golden Eagles are the worst team in the NSIC but one thing I am surprised about is they aren't getting beaten as badly as I thought they would. Since their opening round games, they have not lost an NSIC game by more than 16 points. Last year, 14 of UMC's 22 losses were by more than that margin. So far, UMC only has two terrible losses and they were both the opening weekend of NSIC play. There are two big reasons why UMC plays much better this year. First reason, Eric Dearden. He's been a great addition to the Golden Eagles, scoring 13.4 PPG and is almost averaging two steals a game. Second reason, Adam Hendricks. Hendricks is averaging 11.5 PPG and appears to be the team's leader considering he's one of the few starters from last year's squad contributing to this one. The Golden Eagles are put in a tough situation as they travel to Winona State and Upper Iowa this weekend, two VERY tough places to play and win.
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