Here is the current Standings - How do you see things playing out?
North Division
1. Northern State (12-1, 6-0)
2. Minot State (11-1, 5-1)
3. St. Cloud State (8-3, 4-1)
4. Minnesota-Crookston (6-6, 3-3)
5. Bemidji State (5-6, 2-4)
5. Minnesota State-Moorhead (4-8, 2-4)
7. Minnesota-Duluth (3-7, 0-5)
8. Mary (2-8, 0-6)
South Division
1. Minnesota State-Mankato (9-2, 5-0)
2. Southwest Minnesota State (9-3, 5-1)
3. Sioux Falls (8-3, 4-2)
4. Augustana (8-4, 3-3)
4. Wayne State (8-6, 3-3)
4. Winona State (8-4, 3-3)
7. Upper Iowa (8-7, 1-5)
8. Concordia-St. Paul (1-10, 0-5)
NORTH Observations:
Northern State is in a class of their own. With their size, shooting and guard play they will have to stumble on their own in order for anyone to compete.
Minot State is the biggest surprise in the conference with their start. There schedule in January is fairly friendly with some tough teams headed to Minot. Real test will come when they go on the road to USF/SMSU and then follow that up with a trip to St. Cloud/Duluth
Moorhead is equally a surprise but mostly because they have been able to reload for a number of years. Looks like this may be a re-build season but they still have enough talent to give teams (besides Northern) a big challenge.
Crookston and Bemidji can get hot and make things interesting for teams while Duluth and UMary are tough places to play.
SOUTH Observations
St. Cloud Should he stay or should he go? If he goes there will be trouble, if he stays there will be double! Will be interesting to see how this team rolls in January. I am expecting them to surge if Davis stays active.
Mankato Have not heard much coming from the nicest hoops court in the conference except the cheers of the crowd. Right now there is no reason to think that they will not keep winning and be the Southern Champ.
SMSU started a little slow but have had two convincing victories to go into the break, with one of those wins being a convincing victory over USF. They may be the most complete team, from a position by position stand point, behind Northern.
Sioux Falls is in a little spin right now. They lost a key starter and they will have to find a new normal but with two of the best scorers in the conference they should rebound in January.
Can't count out Augie to pick up big wins and Wayne State is much improved. Winona is still a mystery but can play great basketball at times. Surprised with Upper Iowa and I predicted Concordia St. P to be tough to beat this year!
North Division
1. Northern State (12-1, 6-0)
2. Minot State (11-1, 5-1)
3. St. Cloud State (8-3, 4-1)
4. Minnesota-Crookston (6-6, 3-3)
5. Bemidji State (5-6, 2-4)
5. Minnesota State-Moorhead (4-8, 2-4)
7. Minnesota-Duluth (3-7, 0-5)
8. Mary (2-8, 0-6)
South Division
1. Minnesota State-Mankato (9-2, 5-0)
2. Southwest Minnesota State (9-3, 5-1)
3. Sioux Falls (8-3, 4-2)
4. Augustana (8-4, 3-3)
4. Wayne State (8-6, 3-3)
4. Winona State (8-4, 3-3)
7. Upper Iowa (8-7, 1-5)
8. Concordia-St. Paul (1-10, 0-5)
NORTH Observations:
Northern State is in a class of their own. With their size, shooting and guard play they will have to stumble on their own in order for anyone to compete.
Minot State is the biggest surprise in the conference with their start. There schedule in January is fairly friendly with some tough teams headed to Minot. Real test will come when they go on the road to USF/SMSU and then follow that up with a trip to St. Cloud/Duluth
Moorhead is equally a surprise but mostly because they have been able to reload for a number of years. Looks like this may be a re-build season but they still have enough talent to give teams (besides Northern) a big challenge.
Crookston and Bemidji can get hot and make things interesting for teams while Duluth and UMary are tough places to play.
SOUTH Observations
St. Cloud Should he stay or should he go? If he goes there will be trouble, if he stays there will be double! Will be interesting to see how this team rolls in January. I am expecting them to surge if Davis stays active.
Mankato Have not heard much coming from the nicest hoops court in the conference except the cheers of the crowd. Right now there is no reason to think that they will not keep winning and be the Southern Champ.
SMSU started a little slow but have had two convincing victories to go into the break, with one of those wins being a convincing victory over USF. They may be the most complete team, from a position by position stand point, behind Northern.
Sioux Falls is in a little spin right now. They lost a key starter and they will have to find a new normal but with two of the best scorers in the conference they should rebound in January.
Can't count out Augie to pick up big wins and Wayne State is much improved. Winona is still a mystery but can play great basketball at times. Surprised with Upper Iowa and I predicted Concordia St. P to be tough to beat this year!
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