Southern knocks off Northwest MO again!

[NSU4LIFE]

Re: Southern knocks off Northwest MO again!

That is definitely true in sports like baseball and softball since weather plays a major factor in scheduling games and softball nonconference tournaments make up for half their schedules. However, when the subjective nature of the committee comes in -- which it inevitably does to break ties and making an effort to avoid conference teams playing each other in the first round (except apparently for the NSIC in volleyball) -- the Lincoln Memorial win and NWMSU's H2H win over Northern would trump even a two-loss difference in Northern and NWMSU's resumes.

I don't think the conference H2H results matter as much as many people think they do. The committee likes to keep SOS relative to each individual team, not one conference being "better" than the other. I have no clue how good the MIAA is this year (I did see MoSo beat Wayne State at the Buzzer in Sioux Falls though -- can't pass up an opportunity to see Jeff Boschee in person <3 ) but I *do* know that Northern's demise will be the NSIC north division schedule they face. As improved as the north division may be, eight wins over Mary, Moorhead (lol), Duluth and Bemidji won't carry much weight, and I think they'll get clipped by a couple NSIC south teams or St. Cloud once. They are very fortunate that Crookston and Minot are as good as they are this year or else Moorhead year (lol) would kill them. NWMSU has a pretty healthy cushion over Northern right now.

That said, I hope both both Northern and Northwest never win again, but that's impossible because they have the two best cultures in their respective leagues.

I'm not going to argue with any of that and I've become a pretty boring fan that tries to stay somewhat reasonable, though I do care during each game. But 14 conference games to go, and our only non conference is PC who o don't think we have ever beaten by less than around 20. Anything could happen. If I had to pick spots we could or have a higher chance to lose it would be either St. Cloud game, one of the nights of Crookston/Bemidji or on the Winona/UIU trip. The Wolves typically have great home attendance but are already ahead of pace on home attendance and with both squads being in the position they are, I don't see lead than 4,000 at any of the remaining home games (five of our next seven). Of course Augie could get us at home, but simply being at home and Augie not being what they have in the past, makes me a little more confident, though still nervous.

I don't know that I agree that if NWMSU had three losses and we have only the one that they would still get it, but I wouldn't be surprised. We have always dreamed of filling the BC to capacity for a regional and how much fun itd be to watch a d2 game in front of 6,000-7,000 fans. The last chance we had Winona was on a crazy streak, now NW has a juggernaut. The timing doesn't seem to work out, but we had our chance early and I'm sure the boys long for redemption as anyone would in that position.

[MisterWizard]

Re: Southern knocks off Northwest MO again!

How does MSSU go from losing to an average NAIA team at home to beating Northwest in the same week?

Our 6'8" senior center was out with the flu. He was back against Northwest and we also pulled the redshirt on Christian Bundy, a 6'5 all-stater who was a nice inside factor against the Bearcats last night in only his second collegiate game.

Oh, and given that in our last 3 games against Northwest we've won two and lost another because of a last second 3-point prayer from Schneider, I'm beginning to believe we match up pretty well against NWMO.

[Go-Rilla]

Re: Southern knocks off Northwest MO again!

Ahh, that makes more sense.
Bundy was a stud at Nixa.

[hoopster]

Re: Southern knocks off Northwest MO again!

Our 6'8" senior center was out with the flu. He was back against Northwest and we also pulled the redshirt on Christian Bundy, a 6'5 all-stater who was a nice inside factor against the Bearcats last night in only his second collegiate game.

Oh, and given that in our last 3 games against Northwest we've won two and lost another because of a last second 3-point prayer from Schneider, I'm beginning to believe we match up pretty well against NWMO.

By prayer you mean giving up a kick out three to the career leader in 3 point makes in MIAA history.

Yes, the Lions seem to match up well with the Bearcats. One of a few teams that do, and I believe the biggest reason is that they have multiple players that can create their own shot and hit difficult pull up or step back jumpers, which is sometimes all you can get against their defense. The Lions inability to get up for every game will always hold them back. Last year after beating NW, they followed it up with a 33 point home loss to UCM. In a conference as good as the MIAA, stretches like that will hold you back and result in you finishing 3rd (good for some teams) or worse in the conference, which the Lions have done for the past five or six seasons. That must be frustrating for the fan base and program given that they have had so much talent over that stretch. I'm not sure how you fix that (coaches being better motivators or recruiting more competitive players?) but I feel the ability to get up for each and every game and never really lay an egg is the reason NW is chasing their 5th straight regular season title (Yes, I realize great talent is a part of that as well). Very interested to see how both teams respond to this game.

As for the regional debate, I think if NW gets to 3 losses and the Wolves play exceptional and win out that the regional would have to be in Aberdeen. Although the likely scenario would be each team drops 1-2 more games and I think that would return the regional to Maryville. Northern's questionable home record last year (can someone explain that btw?) gives me a some confidence the Wolves will drop a couple along the way, but maybe they are past those struggles.

[MisterWizard]

Re: Southern knocks off Northwest MO again!

By prayer you mean giving up a kick out three to the career leader in 3 point makes in MIAA history.

Yes, the Lions seem to match up well with the Bearcats. One of a few teams that do, and I believe the biggest reason is that they have multiple players that can create their own shot and hit difficult pull up or step back jumpers, which is sometimes all you can get against their defense. The Lions inability to get up for every game will always hold them back. Last year after beating NW, they followed it up with a 33 point home loss to UCM. In a conference as good as the MIAA, stretches like that will hold you back and result in you finishing 3rd (good for some teams) or worse in the conference, which the Lions have done for the past five or six seasons. That must be frustrating for the fan base and program given that they have had so much talent over that stretch. I'm not sure how you fix that (coaches being better motivators or recruiting more competitive players?) but I feel the ability to get up for each and every game and never really lay an egg is the reason NW is chasing their 5th straight regular season title (Yes, I realize great talent is a part of that as well). Very interested to see how both teams respond to this game.

As for the regional debate, I think if NW gets to 3 losses and the Wolves play exceptional and win out that the regional would have to be in Aberdeen. Although the likely scenario would be each team drops 1-2 more games and I think that would return the regional to Maryville. Northern's questionable home record last year (can someone explain that btw?) gives me a some confidence the Wolves will drop a couple along the way, but maybe they are past those struggles.

Agree with everything you said. And as for matching up, I have a feeling the Lions will lose by 20+ when they meet Northwest in Maryville later this season.

[mosofan1]

Re: Southern knocks off Northwest MO again!

Yes, the Lions seem to match up well with the Bearcats. One of a few teams that do, and I believe the biggest reason is that they have multiple players that can create their own shot and hit difficult pull up or step back jumpers, which is sometimes all you can get against their defense. The Lions inability to get up for every game will always hold them back. Last year after beating NW, they followed it up with a 33 point home loss to UCM. In a conference as good as the MIAA, stretches like that will hold you back and result in you finishing 3rd (good for some teams) or worse in the conference, which the Lions have done for the past five or six seasons. That must be frustrating for the fan base and program given that they have had so much talent over that stretch. I'm not sure how you fix that (coaches being better motivators or recruiting more competitive players?) but I feel the ability to get up for each and every game and never really lay an egg is the reason NW is chasing their 5th straight regular season title (Yes, I realize great talent is a part of that as well). Very interested to see how both teams respond to this game.

It looked like MSSU was laying an egg against MoWest yesterday until the last 2 or 3 minutes of the game, when they finally hit some big threes. At least, they survived, and I hope the young guys on this team will learn there are no nights off in the MIAA. Unless you're Northwest, any team can beat you any night. Now we'll see how the Lions respond to going on the road after being at home since the Quincy tournament in mid-December.

[mosofan1]

Re: Southern knocks off Northwest MO again!

The Lions inability to get up for every game will always hold them back. Last year after beating NW, they followed it up with a 33 point home loss to UCM. In a conference as good as the MIAA, stretches like that will hold you back and result in you finishing 3rd (good for some teams) or worse in the conference, which the Lions have done for the past five or six seasons. That must be frustrating for the fan base and program given that they have had so much talent over that stretch. I'm not sure how you fix that (coaches being better motivators or recruiting more competitive players?)

And there it is. After beating Northwest less than 3 weeks ago, we lose to Northeastern State by 30. Gave up a 22-0 run over a 8 1/2 minute stretch in the second half, get outscored 33-5 In the last 15 minutes, and only score 48 points against the 13th place team in the league. This is exactly why we have not made a serious run at a regional berth for several years, and have to hope for a miracle in Kansas City the first week of March.

[86Catillac]

Re: Southern knocks off Northwest MO again!

I watched this game. Lions gave up. Perplexing performance.