Jan. 16--MIAC Playoffs Matchups Set

Today is one of my least favorite days of the basketball season. The MIAC regular season came to an end today, meaning that the season is over for 5 men's and 6 women's teams. As best as I can tell, these are the first basketball teams anywhere in the state of Minnesota who will be packing away their uniforms and getting on with the rest of life.

But for 6 men's and 6 women's teams, life goes on and includes some playoff basketball. The St. Thomas men defeated St. Mary's 94-81 to clinch the #1 seed. The St. Thomas women had already clinched the #1 seed and also beat St. Mary's 76-55 to finish the regular season undefeated in the MIAC and 24-1 overall.

Men's Playoffs

Gustavus (8-12, 11-14) at Bethel (15-5, 18-7), 7 p.m. The Gusties defeated Concordia 81-68 today while Hamline lost to Bethel 89-63, enabling the Gusties to sneak past the Pipers for the 6th playoff spot. Both teams come into Tuesday night's game with some mo, but Bethel has more firepower and the home court.

St. Olaf (12-8, 13-12) at Augsburg (13-7, 17-8), 7 p.m. The Olies defeated the Auggies 86-80 at Augsburg today to get a rematch on Tuesday. The Auggies have probable MIAC Player of the Year Booker Coplin (27 ppg, 9 reb, 4 assists, 2 steals).

The winners go to St. Thomas (18-2, 22-3) and St. John's (17-3, 21-4) and both will be heavy favorites. The real intrigue is the possible final between the Tommies and Johnnies. The Johnnies clobbered the Tommies 94-75 on Wednesday but that was at Collegeville. They'll be at St. Thomas this time. Still I think St. John's will win the playoff championship, but both teams will advance to the NCAA D3 tournament.

Women's Playoffs

St. Mary's (9-9, 13-12) at Bethel (13-5, 19-6). This will be the last game for at least one great senior ballplayer--maybe Brandi Blattner of St. Mary's, or Taite Anderson and Hannah Johnson of Bethel.

Gustavus (11-7, 14-11) at St. Ben's (11-7, 15-11). Kendall Thompson leads the Gusties, but St. Ben's won 5 of 6 games down the stretch to get into the playoffs.

The winners go to St. Thomas (18-0, 24-1) and Augsburg (16-2, 21-4). As we reported way back in November, this is the best Augsburg women's team EVER while the Tommie women are national championship contenders led by probable Player of the Year Hannah Spaulding (17 ppg-9 reb-71% FG-2 blocks). I don't see St. Thomas losing for several weeks yet, if at all.

Players of the Day--Booker Coplin and Hannah Spaulding

Team of the Day--St. Thomas women

Coach of the Day--Ruth Sinn, St. Thomas women