BB: MIAC: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[BigPoppa]

I think Bethel is a very good challenger for UST this year (I am a bit biased as I have quite a few former players on Bethel's roster... as well as Northwestern's). But seeing which players Bethel signed out of our HS conference was impressive. I feel Bryce Marquart could be one the nation's best by the time his career finishes(He is NOT on of mine, but he killed me for a few seasons).

[therocket21]

Yes, Marquart has put up some great numbers this year at the top of the Bethel lineup. I think I am more impressed with their pitchers. They shutout an offensively sound Carleton team not once, but twice last weekend. Next Tuesday they will be playing the Tommies, which will be a fun series to watch.

[therocket21]

After a crazy Saturday in MIAC play, St. Thomas now sits in 3rd place with Bethel and St. Marys in the top 2 places. Although St. Thomas is not as good as past years, I must say that I believe other MIAC teams are beginning to take steps forward in becoming high quality teams. Concordia, St. Johns, and Carleton are all teams that I believe could win a regional game, (St.Johns just beat Scholastica this weekend). And, Bethel  just may be the best team in the conference. Marquardt is the real deal and Bethel's pitching staff seems to be doing nothing but throwing shutouts as of late. I think the MIAC Conference has gotten significantly stronger as a whole the past 3 years which is great for for the state of MN and the Midwest region.

[therocket21]

Is there any chance the MIAC gets two bids in the regional this year? I feel Bethel could still get a Pool C bid if they don't win the conference tourney. They have a couple big regional wins. They split with Stout, and swept UW-Platteville (who is currently first in the WIAC) and UW- Superior.

[biggio34]

The regional rankings should be interesting.  Do those happen soon?  It seems that there are not really any dominate teams in the region other than Whitewater.  Anyone care to take a stab at the rankings?  I haven't seen or followed it enough to make an educated guess but I always enjoy seeing other people's takes.

[cubs]

Is there any chance the MIAC gets two bids in the regional this year? I feel Bethel could still get a Pool C bid if they don't win the conference tourney. They have a couple big regional wins. They split with Stout, and swept UW-Platteville (who is currently first in the WIAC) and UW- Superior.

Stout and Superior have combined for a grand total of TWO WIAC wins (that weren't against each other) in 22 total WIAC contests.  I definitely wouldn't be using those to "make a case" for a Pool C bid.  (Still can't understand how Stout managed to sweep St. Thomas this season, even with the Tommies having a "down" season.)

Now the sweep against Platteville on the other hand COULD be HUGE in Bethel's chances for a Pool C bid if both are up for consideration, which is a possibility.  (I actually believe Platteville ends up finishing in 3rd place in the WIAC (still four left against Whitewater and two against La Crosse.)  If that happens though, the two wins against Platteville lose some luster as well.

[cubs]

The regional rankings should be interesting.  Do those happen soon?  It seems that there are not really any dominate teams in the region other than Whitewater.  Anyone care to take a stab at the rankings?  I haven't seen or followed it enough to make an educated guess but I always enjoy seeing other people's takes.

Regional Rankings actually get released today....

I'll take a stab at them...  (Probably WAY off!!!! )
1.  Whitewater
2.  Bethel
3.  Stevens Point  (2 Whitewater losses not factored in yet and SOS in #4 in Nation)
4.  La Crosse (2 Platteville losses not figured in yet and SOS is #2 in Nation)
5.  St. Scholastica
6.  St. John's or St. Thomas  (Couldn't decide...)

I don't have a NathCon team making the rankings....

[ShineTime]

1.  Whitewater 2.  Bethel. 3. Platteville. 4.  St. Scholastica  5.  LaCrosse  6.  St. Thomas

[cubs]

1.  Whitewater 2.  Bethel. 3. Platteville. 4.  St. Scholastica  5.  LaCrosse  6.  St. Thomas

I would be shocked if Platteville is #3 in the Midwest Region with a SOS # of 109....

[therocket21]

Is there any chance the MIAC gets two bids in the regional this year? I feel Bethel could still get a Pool C bid if they don't win the conference tourney. They have a couple big regional wins. They split with Stout, and swept UW-Platteville (who is currently first in the WIAC) and UW- Superior.

Stout and Superior have combined for a grand total of TWO WIAC wins (that weren't against each other) in 22 total WIAC contests.  I definitely wouldn't be using those to "make a case" for a Pool C bid.  (Still can't understand how Stout managed to sweep St. Thomas this season, even with the Tommies having a "down" season.)

Now the sweep against Platteville on the other hand COULD be HUGE in Bethel's chances for a Pool C bid if both are up for consideration, which is a possibility.  (I actually believe Platteville ends up finishing in 3rd place in the WIAC (still four left against Whitewater and two against La Crosse.)  If that happens though, the two wins against Platteville lose some luster as well.

I wasn't trying to make a case for Bethel's wins over UW-Superior and Stout, I was more so listing their wins against non-conference, in region opponents. But, I do agree that if Platteville finishes strong, I could definitely see Bethel getting a Pool C.

[biggio34]

1.  UWW  2.  LAX  3.  Bethel  4.  UWSP  5.  Conc-Moorhead  6.  Plateville

[cubs]

WIAC holding Top 3 places.....

MIDWEST REGION                                    
1   Wis.-La Crosse           18-8-0 ( 0.692)   18-8-0 ( 0.692)                           
2   Wis.-Whitewater   21-4-0 ( 0.840)   21-4-0 ( 0.840)                           
3   Wis.-Stevens Point   19-9-0 ( 0.679)   19-9-0 ( 0.679)                           
4   Concordia-M'head   17-6-0 ( 0.739)   18-7-0 ( 0.720)                           
5   Bethel (MN)           22-5-0 ( 0.815)   22-5-0 ( 0.815)                           
6   Saint Mary's (MN)   21-6-0 ( 0.778)   21-6-0 ( 0.778)   

I am guessing La Crosse can thank their high SOS number for earning the #1 spot!!!

[cubs]

1.  UWW  2.  LAX  3.  Bethel  4.  UWSP  5.  Conc-Moorhead  6.  Plateville

Biggio EASILY the closest with his predictions!!!!

Nice Work!!!!  You probably would have hit all six if not for Platteville's poor SOS.

[biggio34]

1.  UWW  2.  LAX  3.  Bethel  4.  UWSP  5.  Conc-Moorhead  6.  Plateville

Biggio EASILY the closest with his predictions!!!!

Nice Work!!!!  You probably would have hit all six if not for Platteville's poor SOS.

For some reason I do not think these rankings will hold up next week.    Let's see how the weekend plays out, but if UWW isnt #1 next week I will be shocked.  3 Miac's in the rankings... I wonder when the last time that happened?

[therocket21]

1.  UWW  2.  LAX  3.  Bethel  4.  UWSP  5.  Conc-Moorhead  6.  Plateville

Biggio EASILY the closest with his predictions!!!!

Nice Work!!!!  You probably would have hit all six if not for Platteville's poor SOS.

For some reason I do not think these rankings will hold up next week.    Let's see how the weekend plays out, but if UWW isnt #1 next week I will be shocked.  3 Miac's in the rankings... I wonder when the last time that happened?

I will have to agree with Biggio,I would be very surprised if Whitewater is not in the top spot next week as well.  St. Mary's will drop out next week, and Bethel will jump in front of Conc-Moorhead, if Conc-Moorhead is still ranked.