Is the NSIC Men's Basketball Down this Year?

[CoachSalscheider]

Some discussion on this Board has suggested that the men's NSIC is down this year. These individuals might be correct. We are missing that the dominant 24-2 team ranked in the top 5 in the country, which could partially contribute to our diminished esteem. However, as I compare two similar leagues—the NSIC and, to the east, the GLIAC—I notice that 4 of our top 8 teams (CSP, SCSU, UMD, and Moorhead) have faced their top four teams (LSSU, MTU, Ferris, and NMU), and we're 4-3 against them. This year, the NSIC may not have one or two dominating teams as in the past, but our parity might still make us as strong, or almost as strong, as before and perhaps, more dangerous—food for thought.

[Purple Mav Man]

Some discussion on this Board has suggested that the men's NSIC is down this year. These individuals might be correct. We are missing that the dominant 24-2 team ranked in the top 5 in the country, which could partially contribute to our diminished esteem. However, as I compare two similar leagues—the NSIC and, to the east, the GLIAC—I notice that 4 of our top 8 teams (CSP, SCSU, UMD, and Moorhead) have faced their top four teams (LSSU, MTU, Ferris, and NMU), and we're 4-3 against them. This year, the NSIC may not have one or two dominating teams as in the past, but our parity might still make us as strong, or almost as strong, as before and perhaps, more dangerous—food for thought.

I am certainly one who has made that argument. And while I won’t die on that hill, I’ll remain on it :)
However…it’s becoming a little more evident that it’s a vacuum year and the level of ball on the upper Midwest is slightly down overall compared to previous. I think this year we’ll see a champion from the south. I do think the NSIC looks strong next year, assuming major players stay. Could be a ridiculously strong league next year, actually.

[Stanger86]

Some discussion on this Board has suggested that the men's NSIC is down this year. These individuals might be correct. We are missing that the dominant 24-2 team ranked in the top 5 in the country, which could partially contribute to our diminished esteem. However, as I compare two similar leagues—the NSIC and, to the east, the GLIAC—I notice that 4 of our top 8 teams (CSP, SCSU, UMD, and Moorhead) have faced their top four teams (LSSU, MTU, Ferris, and NMU), and we're 4-3 against them. This year, the NSIC may not have one or two dominating teams as in the past, but our parity might still make us as strong, or almost as strong, as before and perhaps, more dangerous—food for thought.

This is a good assessment. I think not only do we lack the elite teams, but I also think the perception is weighted because many of the "traditional powers" are in the midst of down years and it's not many of the usual suspects at the top.

[CoachSalscheider]

Although performance rating websites have their limitations, they still provide valuable insights. When the Wilson system determines conference results, it considers the averages, which makes the NSIC appear very impressive with eight or more solid teams. Unfortunately, I can't find the results from last year to see if we have improved or declined. Currently, three of the top five teams are from the south, aligning with Purple Mav Man's prediction that a southern team will win this year's title. Thanks for the discussion.

As of 2-13-25 Performance Ratings from the
David Wilson system https://talismanred.com/ratings/hoops/divisionii.shtml

AVE D2 Conference

531 NSIC
530 GLVC
520 Sunshine State
520 Mid-America Intercollegiate
512 GLIAC
511 Lone Star
506 PacWest
504 SAC
504 Peach Belt
503 CCAA
503 Great Northwest
502 Gulf South
502 RMAC
496 G-MAC
496 GAC
486 NE 10
483 MEC
476 PSAC
475 CIAA
463 CACC
452 ECC
444 Conference Carolinas
442 SIAC
376 D2 Independents

Division II --- W L - - 1 Nova Southeastern 22 1 626 2 AL Huntsville 23 1 621 3 Washburn 22 1 618 4 Daemen 21 0 604 5 Dallas Baptist 23 3 595 6 Lake Superior St 21 4 593 7 Missouri S and T 19 4 591 8 Concordia (MN) 18 7 589 9 Minn.-Duluth 17 7 585 10 Colorado Mines 20 3 582 11 SW Minnesota 18 7 581 12 Winona St. 17 7 580 13 Ferris St. 19 5 578 14 Point Loma Nazar. 20 5 576 15 St. Mary's, TX 18 5 574 16 Michigan Tech 18 6 572 17 Florida Southern 20 5 571 So. Nazarene 18 3 571 19 Minot St. 21 6 570 Lincoln Memorial 19 3 570 21 Upper Iowa 17 7 569 22 West Liberty 20 3 567 23 Lubbock Christian 18 6 563 Lenoir-Rhyne 20 4 563 Midwest TX St 18 5 563 26 CS Dom. Hills 20 4 562 Minnesota St. 16 10 562 28 Findlay 21 3 561 29 Valdosta St. 19 4 560 30 Columbus State 20 3 558 St. Cloud St. 16 10 558 32 MSU-Moorhead 16 8 557 33 Fort Hays St. 15 7 556 34 N. Michigan 16 7 554


Also Massey system: https://masseyratings.com/cb/ncaa-d2/ratings

[CoachSalscheider]

This is a good assessment. I think not only do we lack the elite teams, but I also think the perception is weighted because many of the "traditional powers" are in the midst of down years and it's not many of the usual suspects at the top.

In the same breath, I have difficulty highly esteeming Minot State and Concordia SP because, over the years, they have been unremarkable, but today, they are worthy of national consideration. That perception problem is mine, not theirs. Both programs have recently strengthened our league, especially in terms of parity. The question for me is, can or will they sustain this emergence and slip into the category of "traditional powers?"