SelectionSunday
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Tommie Talk and the NET/Torvik Gospel
St. Thomas (12-4, 6-7 ATS)
NET: UST drops 6 spots to #120.
Torvik (T-Rank): UST remains at #112.
Weekly Summit League Power Rankings (record vs. D1)
1. St. Thomas (9-4)
2. Denver (5-9)
3. North Dakota State (9-5)
4. North Dakota (5-10)
5. South Dakota State (5-9)
6. Omaha (3-10)
7. Oral Roberts (2-12)
8. South Dakota (5-8)
9. Kansas City (1-12)
A Few Thoughts from the Cheap Seats of St. Thomas 92-88 Nail-Biter over Denver
(1) First and foremost, Denver is legit. I have a hard time believing there will be a better basketball game at Lee & Penny Arena this season. I came into the season figuring the same suspects as last season (SDSU, NDSU, UST, Omaha) would be at the top of the league, but after seeing the Pioneers in person I'm confident saying they're a Summit title contender. The first thing that stood out to me about the Pioneers was their swagger. They are a very confident bunch, and rightly so. Graduate guard Zane Nelson (24 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 3-of-6 3PFG, 13-of-15 from the FT line) was a thorn in the Tommies' side all night. Nelson is a very confident young man, and he backs it up. Trust me, Nelson is not all the Pioneers have, not by a longshot, but he was a show-stopper last night.
(2) DU now sits at or near the top of my list for teams I’d prefer to see on the other side of the bracket in Sioux Falls. Love their confidence and potential, and with first-year head coach Tim Bergstraser they'll only get better.
(3) Think about this. The Tommies won a game (vs. a good opponent) when leading scorer Nolan Minessale was shut down, out of sync, and clearly started pressing when his shots weren't falling. Minessale finished with four points on 1-of-11 shooting from the floor (1-of-5 from 3), and 1-of-5 from the free-throw line. Sometimes it's just not your night, but still, Minessale managed a team-high six assists.
No problem.
In steps redshirt freshman guard Nick Janowski with a career-high 31 points, seven rebounds, and numerous buckets in a taut second half when the Tommies really needed one. Or if not Janowski, Ben Oosterbaan (16 points, 5 boards, 4-of-10 from 3), Austin Herro (15 points, 3-of-3 on 3s from a guy not known for 3-point shooting), and super subs Isaiah Johnson-Arigu (12 points, 6 boards) and Ryan Dufault (9 points, 2 steals), provider of the clinching free throw with 5.7 seconds left. You get the drift. ... next man up was not a problem for the Tommies.
(4) Last night was the worst officiated game (both ways) I've seen in 4+ seasons attending UST home games. Game was too fast for them, and most of the time on contact plays it felt like they were flipping a coin, usually picking the wrong side. I can't speak for the coaches, but my impression was neither Bergstraser nor UST head coach Johnny Tauer were too thrilled with the stripes!
(5) And now, a friendly public service announcement to St. Thomas fans:
I get that it's J-Term for UST students, but what's everyone else's excuse for not supporting this really good basketball program? For most of the game, Tommie fans got punked in their own arena by a vocal contingent of Denver fans (good for them). At times they were loud enough to make it feel like a road game for the home team. That cannot happen. It's embarrassing, especially in a brand, spanking new arena. There's too much of UST fans sitting on their hands and acting like they're at a movie theater. That's not gonna' cut it now with a 5,300-seat arena, and when later in the season the likes of South Dakota State and North Dakota State and fans come to Saint Paul seeking a Summit League championship.
(6) Oh, not to mention, the nation-best home-court winning streak is now at 26. Imagine how much more it would help that streak continue if local folks who enjoy watching good basketball filled up most or all of those 5,300 seats.
(all rankings are NET)
Other Sunday Summit League Results
none
Monday Summit League Slate
No games
Monday Reach the Summit Selections (5-3, 62.5%)
No games
Summit League Leader (North Dakota State) NCAA Tournament Resume
Record vs. DI Opponents: 9-5, 2-0 Summit
NET: #149
Torvik (T-Rank): #133
Strength of Record: #158
Wins Above Bubble: #183
True Road Record: 3-4
Overall SOS: #356
Non-Conference SOS: #348
Record/Winning% vs. Quad 1: 0-0
Record/Winning% vs. Quads 1 & 2 Combined: 0-1 (0%)
Record/Winning % vs. Quads 1-3 Combined: 3-4 (42.9%)
Quad 4 (Awful) Losses: 1 (@ #294 UTEP)
Record vs. Projected NCAA Qualifiers: 0-1
Dribbles & Scribbles
-- Undefeated Nebraska (14-0) and its nation-best 18-game winning streak hits the road for Columbus tonight. This one smells like a natural letdown for the Huskers after beating Michigan State in what was called by a lot of folks the biggest home game in Nebraska basketball history. More often than not it's tough for a team to come back down to earth after a historical victory. Look for a Buckeyes win tonight.
-- #44 Tulsa (11-2, 1-1 American) suffered a damaging loss at #153 North Texas. The Golden Hurricane don't have a lot of wiggle room if they want to be in the conversation for an at-large bid in the event they don't earn the American's automatic bid.
Sunday Bubble Impact Results
@ #30 Indiana 90, #60 Washington 80
@ #40 Seton Hall 56, #51 Creighton 54
@ North Texas 72, #44 Tulsa 67
@ #62 Santa Clara 98, San Diego 70
Daily Bubble Snapshots (#41, #50, #52, #68)
A daily look at the bubble, with the purpose of watching it evolve up to Selection Sunday.
#41 (UCLA) NCAA Tournament Resume (best NET at-large # left out of 2025 field)
Record vs. DI Opponents: 10-4, 2-1 Big Ten
NET: #41
Torvik (T-Rank): #34
Strength of Record: #49
Wins Above Bubble: #43
True Road Record: 1-1
Overall SOS: #50
Non-Conference SOS: #136
Record/Winning% vs. Quad 1: 1-3 (25%)
Record/Winning% vs. Quads 1 & 2 Combined: 1-4 (20%)
Record/Winning% vs. Quads 1-3 Combined: 3-4 (42.9%)
Quad 4 (Awful) Losses: none
Record vs. Projected NCAA Qualifiers: 0-3
#50 (Akron) NCAA Tournament Resume (mythical Bubble cutline)
Record vs. DI Opponents: 8-4, 1-1 MAC
NET: #50
Torvik (T-Rank): #62
Strength of Record: #101
Wins Above Bubble: #85
True Road Record: 1-2
Overall SOS: #140
Non-Conference SOS: #187
Record/Winning% vs. Quad 1: 0-2 (0%)
Record/Winning% vs. Quads 1 & 2 Combined: 0-4 (0%)
Record/Winning% vs. Quads 1-3 Combined: 1-4 (20%)
Quad 4 (Awful) Losses: none
Record vs. Projected NCAA Qualifiers: 0-4
#52 (VCU) NCAA Tournament Resume (worst NET at-large # to make 2025 field)
Record vs. DI Opponents: 11-4, 2-0 Atlantic 10
NET: #52
Torvik (T-Rank): #55
Strength of Record: #64
Wins Above Bubble: #54
True Road Record: 1-1
Overall SOS: #95
Non-Conference SOS: #86
Record/Winning% vs. Quad 1: 0-3 (0%)
Record/Winning% vs. Quads 1 & 2 Combined: 2-4 (33.3%)
Record/Winning% vs. Quads 1-3 Combined: 4-4 (50%)
Quad 4 (Awful) Losses: none
Record vs. Projected NCAA Qualifiers: 1-3
#68 (Notre Dame) NCAA Tournament Resume (if the field was best 68 NET)
Record vs. DI Opponents: 10-5, 1-1 ACC
NET: #68
Torvik (T-Rank): #69
Strength of Record: #65
Wins Above Bubble: #67
True Road Record: 2-2
Overall SOS: #56
Non-Conference SOS: #103
Record/Winning% vs. Quad 1: 2-4 (33.3%)
Record/Winning% vs. Quads 1 & 2 Combined: 2-4 (33.3%)
Record/Winning% vs. Quads 1-3 Combined: 5-4 (55.6%)
Quad 4 (Awful) Losses: 1 (#253 Fort Wayne)
Record vs. Projected NCAA Qualifiers: 2-3
Jan. 5 Games to Eyeball
Nebraska @ Ohio State, 5:30 (FS1)
Milwaukee @ Green Bay, 6 (ESPN+)
William & Mary @ College of Charleston, 6 (CBSSN)
Stephen F. Austin @ McNeese, 6:30 (ESPN+)
USC @ Michigan State, 7:30 (FS1)
Jan. 5 Pick to Click (37-22, 62.7%, W-3 streak)
USC +11.5 @ Michigan State
Jan. 5 Outright +7 or More ‘Dog (9-50, 15.3%, L-19 streak)
Stephen F. Austin (+10.5) outright @ McNeese
Deep Thoughts, by Buzz Studley
The best two coaches in the Summit League reside in Saint Paul and Denver.
St. Thomas (12-4, 6-7 ATS)
NET: UST drops 6 spots to #120.
Torvik (T-Rank): UST remains at #112.
Weekly Summit League Power Rankings (record vs. D1)
1. St. Thomas (9-4)
2. Denver (5-9)
3. North Dakota State (9-5)
4. North Dakota (5-10)
5. South Dakota State (5-9)
6. Omaha (3-10)
7. Oral Roberts (2-12)
8. South Dakota (5-8)
9. Kansas City (1-12)
A Few Thoughts from the Cheap Seats of St. Thomas 92-88 Nail-Biter over Denver
(1) First and foremost, Denver is legit. I have a hard time believing there will be a better basketball game at Lee & Penny Arena this season. I came into the season figuring the same suspects as last season (SDSU, NDSU, UST, Omaha) would be at the top of the league, but after seeing the Pioneers in person I'm confident saying they're a Summit title contender. The first thing that stood out to me about the Pioneers was their swagger. They are a very confident bunch, and rightly so. Graduate guard Zane Nelson (24 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 3-of-6 3PFG, 13-of-15 from the FT line) was a thorn in the Tommies' side all night. Nelson is a very confident young man, and he backs it up. Trust me, Nelson is not all the Pioneers have, not by a longshot, but he was a show-stopper last night.
(2) DU now sits at or near the top of my list for teams I’d prefer to see on the other side of the bracket in Sioux Falls. Love their confidence and potential, and with first-year head coach Tim Bergstraser they'll only get better.
(3) Think about this. The Tommies won a game (vs. a good opponent) when leading scorer Nolan Minessale was shut down, out of sync, and clearly started pressing when his shots weren't falling. Minessale finished with four points on 1-of-11 shooting from the floor (1-of-5 from 3), and 1-of-5 from the free-throw line. Sometimes it's just not your night, but still, Minessale managed a team-high six assists.
No problem.
In steps redshirt freshman guard Nick Janowski with a career-high 31 points, seven rebounds, and numerous buckets in a taut second half when the Tommies really needed one. Or if not Janowski, Ben Oosterbaan (16 points, 5 boards, 4-of-10 from 3), Austin Herro (15 points, 3-of-3 on 3s from a guy not known for 3-point shooting), and super subs Isaiah Johnson-Arigu (12 points, 6 boards) and Ryan Dufault (9 points, 2 steals), provider of the clinching free throw with 5.7 seconds left. You get the drift. ... next man up was not a problem for the Tommies.
(4) Last night was the worst officiated game (both ways) I've seen in 4+ seasons attending UST home games. Game was too fast for them, and most of the time on contact plays it felt like they were flipping a coin, usually picking the wrong side. I can't speak for the coaches, but my impression was neither Bergstraser nor UST head coach Johnny Tauer were too thrilled with the stripes!
(5) And now, a friendly public service announcement to St. Thomas fans:
I get that it's J-Term for UST students, but what's everyone else's excuse for not supporting this really good basketball program? For most of the game, Tommie fans got punked in their own arena by a vocal contingent of Denver fans (good for them). At times they were loud enough to make it feel like a road game for the home team. That cannot happen. It's embarrassing, especially in a brand, spanking new arena. There's too much of UST fans sitting on their hands and acting like they're at a movie theater. That's not gonna' cut it now with a 5,300-seat arena, and when later in the season the likes of South Dakota State and North Dakota State and fans come to Saint Paul seeking a Summit League championship.
(6) Oh, not to mention, the nation-best home-court winning streak is now at 26. Imagine how much more it would help that streak continue if local folks who enjoy watching good basketball filled up most or all of those 5,300 seats.
(all rankings are NET)
Other Sunday Summit League Results
none
Monday Summit League Slate
No games
Monday Reach the Summit Selections (5-3, 62.5%)
No games
Summit League Leader (North Dakota State) NCAA Tournament Resume
Record vs. DI Opponents: 9-5, 2-0 Summit
NET: #149
Torvik (T-Rank): #133
Strength of Record: #158
Wins Above Bubble: #183
True Road Record: 3-4
Overall SOS: #356
Non-Conference SOS: #348
Record/Winning% vs. Quad 1: 0-0
Record/Winning% vs. Quads 1 & 2 Combined: 0-1 (0%)
Record/Winning % vs. Quads 1-3 Combined: 3-4 (42.9%)
Quad 4 (Awful) Losses: 1 (@ #294 UTEP)
Record vs. Projected NCAA Qualifiers: 0-1
Dribbles & Scribbles
-- Undefeated Nebraska (14-0) and its nation-best 18-game winning streak hits the road for Columbus tonight. This one smells like a natural letdown for the Huskers after beating Michigan State in what was called by a lot of folks the biggest home game in Nebraska basketball history. More often than not it's tough for a team to come back down to earth after a historical victory. Look for a Buckeyes win tonight.
-- #44 Tulsa (11-2, 1-1 American) suffered a damaging loss at #153 North Texas. The Golden Hurricane don't have a lot of wiggle room if they want to be in the conversation for an at-large bid in the event they don't earn the American's automatic bid.
Sunday Bubble Impact Results
@ #30 Indiana 90, #60 Washington 80
@ #40 Seton Hall 56, #51 Creighton 54
@ North Texas 72, #44 Tulsa 67
@ #62 Santa Clara 98, San Diego 70
Daily Bubble Snapshots (#41, #50, #52, #68)
A daily look at the bubble, with the purpose of watching it evolve up to Selection Sunday.
#41 (UCLA) NCAA Tournament Resume (best NET at-large # left out of 2025 field)
Record vs. DI Opponents: 10-4, 2-1 Big Ten
NET: #41
Torvik (T-Rank): #34
Strength of Record: #49
Wins Above Bubble: #43
True Road Record: 1-1
Overall SOS: #50
Non-Conference SOS: #136
Record/Winning% vs. Quad 1: 1-3 (25%)
Record/Winning% vs. Quads 1 & 2 Combined: 1-4 (20%)
Record/Winning% vs. Quads 1-3 Combined: 3-4 (42.9%)
Quad 4 (Awful) Losses: none
Record vs. Projected NCAA Qualifiers: 0-3
#50 (Akron) NCAA Tournament Resume (mythical Bubble cutline)
Record vs. DI Opponents: 8-4, 1-1 MAC
NET: #50
Torvik (T-Rank): #62
Strength of Record: #101
Wins Above Bubble: #85
True Road Record: 1-2
Overall SOS: #140
Non-Conference SOS: #187
Record/Winning% vs. Quad 1: 0-2 (0%)
Record/Winning% vs. Quads 1 & 2 Combined: 0-4 (0%)
Record/Winning% vs. Quads 1-3 Combined: 1-4 (20%)
Quad 4 (Awful) Losses: none
Record vs. Projected NCAA Qualifiers: 0-4
#52 (VCU) NCAA Tournament Resume (worst NET at-large # to make 2025 field)
Record vs. DI Opponents: 11-4, 2-0 Atlantic 10
NET: #52
Torvik (T-Rank): #55
Strength of Record: #64
Wins Above Bubble: #54
True Road Record: 1-1
Overall SOS: #95
Non-Conference SOS: #86
Record/Winning% vs. Quad 1: 0-3 (0%)
Record/Winning% vs. Quads 1 & 2 Combined: 2-4 (33.3%)
Record/Winning% vs. Quads 1-3 Combined: 4-4 (50%)
Quad 4 (Awful) Losses: none
Record vs. Projected NCAA Qualifiers: 1-3
#68 (Notre Dame) NCAA Tournament Resume (if the field was best 68 NET)
Record vs. DI Opponents: 10-5, 1-1 ACC
NET: #68
Torvik (T-Rank): #69
Strength of Record: #65
Wins Above Bubble: #67
True Road Record: 2-2
Overall SOS: #56
Non-Conference SOS: #103
Record/Winning% vs. Quad 1: 2-4 (33.3%)
Record/Winning% vs. Quads 1 & 2 Combined: 2-4 (33.3%)
Record/Winning% vs. Quads 1-3 Combined: 5-4 (55.6%)
Quad 4 (Awful) Losses: 1 (#253 Fort Wayne)
Record vs. Projected NCAA Qualifiers: 2-3
Jan. 5 Games to Eyeball
Nebraska @ Ohio State, 5:30 (FS1)
Milwaukee @ Green Bay, 6 (ESPN+)
William & Mary @ College of Charleston, 6 (CBSSN)
Stephen F. Austin @ McNeese, 6:30 (ESPN+)
USC @ Michigan State, 7:30 (FS1)
Jan. 5 Pick to Click (37-22, 62.7%, W-3 streak)
USC +11.5 @ Michigan State
Jan. 5 Outright +7 or More ‘Dog (9-50, 15.3%, L-19 streak)
Stephen F. Austin (+10.5) outright @ McNeese
Deep Thoughts, by Buzz Studley
The best two coaches in the Summit League reside in Saint Paul and Denver.
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