All Things D2 & D3 College Basketball

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Ope3

Ope3

2 bowls of split plea soup to go, eh?
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I don't see a thread yet, so here goes.

MIAC general news, they ditched the Men's/Women's Doubleheaders on non-weekends (except for a long roadie here or there to Concordia/St Mary's/St Scholastica).

Saved on travel, but made for some long days.
 

I took in the all-Northfield game yesterday, as St Olaf crossed the Cannon River to upend Carleton 79-70. That ended a 5 game losing streak in the Goat Series.

Oles jumped to a 10 point lead before the Knights scored and settled down to fight back. A tight game until the last few minutes before the Oles pulled away for good.

St Olaf is much improved. I would expect both to fight for Playoff berths. Knights have to find their way a after losing their go to slasher, Luke Harris (graduated).
 
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Is Owatonna legend and former Gopher asst Dan Kosmoski still at the helm for St. Olaf?
 

LesBolstad said:
Is Owatonna legend and former Gopher asst Dan Kosmoski still at the helm for St. Olaf?
Click to expand...

Indeed he is still "On the Hill" as Ole slogan goes. It's his 31st Season at St Olaf.

I should look it up, but he has to be the most tenured HC in the MIAC. It's crazy because in Year 15, I don't think he was even in the Top 5 yet.
 

Carleton takes down Augsburg today 85-81, in a battle between teams fighting for a Bye and/or Home Court in the MIAC Playoffs.

Knights had a 10+ point lead through most of the 2nd Half. They had to survive a ferocious Auggie press down the stretch and made their FTs to sew up the victory.

Link to standings:

2025-26 Men's Basketball Standings - Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

The official 2025-26 Men's Basketball Standings for Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
miacathletics.com miacathletics.com
 



Ope3 said:
I took in the all-Northfield game yesterday, as St Olaf crossed the Cannon River to upend Carleton 79-70. That ended a 5 game losing streak in the Goat Series.

Oles jumped to a 10 point lead before the Knights scored and settled down to fight back. A tight game until the last few minutes before the Oles pulled away for good.

St Olaf is much improved. I would expect both to fight for Playoff berths. Knights have to find their way a after losing their go to slasher, Luke Harris (graduated).
Click to expand...

Nailed it. Both St Olaf and Carleton have qualified for the 6 Team MIAC Playoff Field.

Carleton's win over Bethel today actually clinched a berth not only for the Knights but also St John's, Concordia & Augburg.

Ole's need a W in either of their last games against the Cobbers or Knights (with the Goat Trophy also on the line) to get the #2 Seed/Bye.

Screenshot_20260214-215128.Chrome.jpg
 

The Saints vs Gusties was ppd until today due to snow, but Gustavus clinched the MIAC Regular Season Title outright with the Oles losing to the Cobbers.

After winning 8 in a row, St Olaf has dropped back-to-back games setting up quagmire for the 2-6 seeds ahead of the Saturday season finale.

1771536474959.png
 

In front of a big crowd at Skogland on Saturday, Carleton retained the Goat trophy by handling St Olaf pretty convincingly 80-68.

It created a 4way Tie for 2nd Place and the Johhnies are the beneficiary of the #2 Seed and the Bye.

Quarterfinals on Tuesday:

#6 Augsburg @ # 3 St Olaf
#5 Carleton @ # 4 Concordia

1771878324633.png
 









Bummer night for the Northfield collegiate teams as both St Olaf and Carleton had their seasons end in the MIAC Quarterfinals.

miacathletics.com

Cobbers, Auggies advance in MIAC Men's Basketball Playoffs

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – The 2026 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Men's Basketball Playoffs got underway with a pair of quarterfinal contests on Tuesday night.
miacathletics.com miacathletics.com

Knights were throttled by the Cobbers.

Oles got off to a blazing start against the Auggies, but the lead was cut to 6 at recess.

2nd half was back and forth. Oles were up 6 under 3 minutes to go but could not close it out. Up 1 with 11 seconds left, the Oles missed the front end of a 1X1.

Auggies drove and were fouled, and went up 69-68 with 4 seconds left. St Olaf was able to get a good look, but missed at the buzzer.
 

Ope3 said:
Bummer night for the Northfield collegiate teams as both St Olaf and Carleton had their seasons end in the MIAC Quarterfinals.

miacathletics.com

Cobbers, Auggies advance in MIAC Men's Basketball Playoffs

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – The 2026 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Men's Basketball Playoffs got underway with a pair of quarterfinal contests on Tuesday night.
miacathletics.com miacathletics.com

Knights were throttled by the Cobbers.

Oles got off to a blazing start against the Auggies, but the lead was cut to 6 at recess.

2nd half was back and forth. Oles were up 6 under 3 minutes to go but could not close it out. Up 1 with 11 seconds left, the Oles missed the front end of a 1X1.

Auggies drove and were fouled, and went up 69-68 with 4 seconds left. St Olaf was able to get a good look, but missed at the buzzer.
Click to expand...
It just goes to show you, the MIAC is mediocre this year. 😏🤔😉
 


Chalk in the MIAC Semis.

St John's vs Gustavus in the Finals.
 


Gustavus wins the MIAC 75-66 over St John's and secures the automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament.
 


Holy Man said:
Any chance for the Johns through the back door?
Click to expand...

Nope. MIAC will be single bid conference. There are only 21 At Large bids in the 64 Team D3 Field, with over 400 programs.

In general MIAC teams with 5 or 6 losses over all are on the bubble.

St John's was 16-11, very pedestrian. No chance. By comparison last year's Gusties were Co-MIAC Regular Champs at 21-5 and were on the outside looking in.

I would expect the Gusties at 25-2 will get to host their pod at least.
 
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Gustavus will host Bethany Lutheran in Rd 1 on Friday.

www.ncaa.com

2026 Division III Men's Basketball Official Bracket | NCAA.com

The official 2026 College Men's Basketball Bracket for Division III. Includes a printable bracket and links to buy NCAA championship tickets.
www.ncaa.com www.ncaa.com

Wis-Stevens Point vs Mary Hardin-Baylor is the other game in their Pod.
 


Gustavus rolled through Bethany Lutheran & then Mary Hardin-Baylor over the weekend.

They travel to the University of Chicago for the Sweet 16 on Saturday at 4pm.
 

UMD Bulldogs advanced to NCAA II dance w/NSIC conf. championship. Selection show jinxed UMD with an 8 seed in central bracket vs 31-1 top seed Washburn in Topeka, KS on March 14. If Bulldogs win, they could face St. Cloud St. in a rematch of NSIC final last week w/UMD winning 76-65.
 

Interesting transfer for the Mankato East star. Started all 30 games and was leading scorer for Sioux Falls as a freshmen. I'm guessing Minnesota State or possibly one of the local mid-majors.

 


UMD beats top seed 33-1 Washburn, then wins last night against St. Cloud St! Winning two games in NCAA's is terrific. OK Baptist (#2) tomorrow night. Duluth doesn't really pass the eye test, shoots too many 3's, and loses guys on defense but they keep winning rock fights.
 

Sat was a great day for UMD, as hockey also downed top seed UND 5-1
 

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