The playoff scenerio's for the Northern Sun look pretty interesting as we head down the stretch. Likely only two teams from the Northern Sun are going to get in to the Super Region 3 Playoffs. With the new Super Region structure, I think it would be unlikely to think anymore than 2-Northern Sun teams are getting in.

Who has the best chance? Well here's what we need to consider for now....

Front Runners

Minnesota State University-Mankato (6-0)- vs. Southwest, at Winona State, at Wayne State, vs. Sioux Falls, vs. UIU-- I think with the difficulty of this schedule the Mavericks can afford a loss, and still make the playoffs. The games, though that could change all of that, is if they lose to Winona State or USF. That would even them with one loss, they would be in the same division, and a loss to either would give one of those two teams the head to head advantage, so it would create and interesting and unpredictable scenerio at this point. Stay tuned!

Minnesota Duluth (5-1)-- at Minot State, vs. Bemidji State, at UM Crookston, vs. Mary, vs. Northern-- The tough thing about this schedule is its strength of schedule. Minnesota Duluth needs help from the teams they played in the NSIC South Division, they need teams like Southwest, Concordia, Augustana, and Winona State to win games. Especially, wins from Southwest and Concordia, because if Winona wins too many games they might find themselves competing for that spot. UMD does not play Minnesota State this year, so they will lose in strength of schedule to the Mavericks, but they do have a victory over Winona State head to head. The good news is that no matter what, Minnesota State, Winona State, and USF can not all finish with one loss. So I think at this point, it is still a pretty safe bet the Bulldogs will get in, AS LONG AS THEY RUN THE TABLE.

Winona State (5-1)-- at Wayne State, vs. Minnesota State, vs. Southwest, at Augustana, vs. Concordia-- Of the potential playoff teams this is the toughest remaining schedule. If the Warriors run the table through this schedule they will have earned their spot in the playoffs, that's what they will need to do. The good news is that they control things themselves, with a win over USF in tow, and one over MSU in two weeks. Its a tough road, but the Warriors have a chance to do it.

University of Sioux Falls (5-1)- vs. Concordia, at Augustana, vs. Upper Iowa, at Minnesota State, vs. Wayne State-- The road loss to Winona State hurts. But their situation is similar to Winona's, really. If they can run the table on this remaining schedule, I think they earn it, especially if Winona beats MSU in a couple of weeks because that means that MSU has two losses, and is likely out. The Coo is still very much alive.


With a Shot

St. Cloud State (4-2)- vs. Mary, at Northern State, vs. Bemidji State, at Minot State, at MSU Moorhead-- At 4-2 I think they are alive. The thing they have that no one else has is a victory over Minnesota Duluth. I think it is very likely the Huskies could run the table, they will need some help, but I wouldn't rule them out just yet. Their strength of schedule will be higher than UMD's, and the Huskies have the victory.

Wayne State (4-2)- vs. Winona State, at Concordia, vs. Minnesota State, at Upper Iowa, at Sioux Falls-- Their loss to Southwest hurts their chances big time. The Wildcats don't have a quality win yet, but they are 4-2, so they are probably still alive, especially because again if they run the table they would have some quality victories. However, they have some deficiencies offensively especially. They will need to return to their run stopping ways to make this list next week.