Well the Northern Sun playoff picture got a little simpler this week. Wayne State is out, and the picture is starting to come into a little more focus. Most likely the teams in the Northern Sun are playing for two, at best three playoff spots this year. So here is how it looks.

Front Runners

Minnesota State University- at Winona State, at Wayne State, vs. Sioux Falls, vs. UIU-- A furious 14-point rally in the final six minutes of regulation last week, forced double overtime and allowed the Mavericks to stay unbeaten. At 7-0, I still believe they can afford a loss and still qualify, it just can't come this week. If it does, complete chaos ensues in the Northern Sun, for the playoff spots. Even if the Mavs fall to Winona, and finish the season with only one loss, I still think they get in, it just becomes a little more bleak for Minnesota Duluth.


Minnesota Duluth (6-1)- vs. Bemidji State, at UM Crookston, vs. Mary, vs. Northern-- Despite the belief of many around here in UMD's strength of schedule, I still rank them here ahead of Winona State and USF, simply because I believe the Bulldogs are extremely likely to run the table. The Bulldogs with one loss, will have a chance to sneak in. There SOS will improve as the season goes on, as others have pointed out, every Winona win, helps their strength of schedule, same with Bemidji State, and Mary, as those teams add up wins, their SOS will improve. Winona has a tough road to run the table on, as I will point out in a minute, and that's what they will need to do to get in, so I still put the Bulldogs ahead of the Warriors.


Winona State (6-1)- vs. Minnesota State, vs. Southwest, at Augustana, vs. Concordia-- Winona State has to win out, to get in. That test will be difficult this week, especially against undefeated MSU Mankato. However, the Mavs can be beaten, especially in Winona. A Warrior win, is a necessity, and is the toughest game on the schedule for the Warriors the rest of the season, Southwest, Augustana, and Concordia are all under .500 and the Warriors could have a better shot of running the table if they can get by the Mavericks. Stay tuned!


University of Sioux Falls (6-1)- at Augustana, vs. Upper Iowa, at Minnesota State, vs. Wayne State-- Two of the final four games will have a playoff like feel for the Cougars, going up against the Augustana Vikings and then the Mavs a little later. Obviously no one in Sioux Falls will be lookng past the Mayor's Cup game coming up on Saturday, which over the years will develop into a major rivalry, so its one of those games where anything could happen, regardless of record.


With A Shot

St. Cloud State (5-2)- The only team in the Northern Sun with two losses and a shot at making the playoffs. I still think the NSIC South teams could beat themselves up a little, which would make it a possibility for St. Cloud to get in. It all depends on how the final regional rankings finish if Duluth and St. Cloud both run the table.

Big changes to this could be coming next week though, a big games between Winona and Minnesota State and USF against Augustana could really simplify this picture for next week.