I had a great first round picking games, getting the correct outcome in seven of the eight first round games (2-1 men’s and 5-0 women’s). My only incorrect pick was the very last game of the night when the Hastings men were able to upset Cardinal Stritch. Hopefully I can keep this hot streak going all the way through my Vegas vacation in two weeks. That being said handicapping matchups becomes much more difficult in the second round, but here is my best shot.
Men’s Second Round Predictions
#1 seed Walsh vs. Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls beat a tough opponent, and proved that they can win a low scoring game when the shots aren’t falling. Walsh on the other hand comes in having just gorged on Sunrise Conference cream puff Main-Fort Kent. Walsh is 29-2 with a 30 point average margin of victory, which suggests that they are either an unstoppable juggernaut, or have played a very weak schedule. When you examine Walsh’s schedule a bit more closely you see that Walsh played only three games against national tourney teams in the regular season; which resulted in a loss to #15 Saint Francis, and splitting a two game series against #13 seed Cedarville. Ricky Jackson and Lamar Skeeter are explosive scorers for Walsh who should be cause for concern for fans of the Coo. However, Sioux Falls will not shoot 2-12 from three point range again this year, and if they play defense like they did against Grand View then Sioux Falls should advance to the round of eight.
Prediction: USF 80- Walsh 70
#7 seed Dakota Wesleyan vs. #10 seed Cornerstone
This could be a very interesting matchup. Cornerstone will try to go strength vs. strength by pounding the ball inside to their triple towers Kalen Devries (6’6”), Caleb Simons (6’5”), and Matt Kingshot (6’5”). That group averages 33 points and nearly 15 rebounds per game. Devries is also an excellent three point shooter making 96 of 211 three pointers in the regular season. I expect Cornerstone to play very physical and rotate bodies on Broughton and Wiebe, which likely won’t stop either of them, but could bait them into foul trouble. I think the keys to this game are Darrin Dorsey and Mitch Bain, who should have their way against the Cornerstone backcourt.
Prediction: Dakota Wesleyan 75- Cornerstone 62
#6 Oklahoma Wesleyan vs. Hastings
Due to the lateness of Hastings victory, I haven’t had time to do much research on Oklahoma Wesleyan. I know that they both like to shoot a lot of threes, and Hastings was able to win despite a poor shooting night against cardinal Stritch. Oklahoma Wesleyan seems similar to Cardinal Stritch, and if Hastings shoots better, than they have a definite chance to win this one. I picked against Hastings in their first game, but I think they take the momentum from their last victory and beat Oklahoma Wesleyan.
Prediction: Hastings 80- Oklahoma Wesleyan 77
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Women’s Second Round Predictions
#1 seed Hastings vs. #4 Seed Grand View
Grand View played seven games against GPAC competition, beating Morningside, Dordt, Dana, and Midland twice; and losing to Morningside and Briar Cliff. Grand View can play against good GPAC competition and wont be intimidated playing Hastings in a national tourney setting. To bad Hastings is playing at a higher level than pretty much everyone else in the country, and will still win this game. Grand View hangs around in the first half, but Hastings pulls away to win by 20 in the second half.
Prediction: Hastings 70-Grand View 60
#1 Seed Northwestern vs. #4 seed Sterling
Sterling is 1-3 vs. GPAC competition with that lone win coming against Dordt, while losing to Midland Lutheran, Doane, and Hastings. This was early in the season, but all indications point to Sterling not being good enough to beat a Northwestern team that is on a serious roll.
Prediction: Northwestern 80- Sterling 66
#1 seed College of the Ozarks vs. #4 seed Morningside
C of O has made the final four each of the last three seasons, and despite losing two all Americans are in a good position to make a similar run. Morningside is erratic and can look like a national championship contender some nights, and well…not as good other nights. I expect a very competitive game, with the home crowd boosting Morningside to a narrow win over the #1 seed.
Prediction: Morningside 69- C of O 67
#2 seed Cedarville vs. #3 seed Briar Cliff
Both of these teams appear to be very evenly matched. Cedarville has more balance than Briar Cliff with Alison Lemon averaging 17 points per game, Aubrey Seimon averaging 14.5, and Lydia Miller averaging 11. However, Briar Cliff has the best player on the floor with Liz Grider, and in past NCAA tourneys Cedarville has struggled against full court pressure defenses applied by GPAC teams. I think this is another close game, but if Briar Cliff can shake off the bruises from the 56 fouls and 70 turnovers combined by both teams in the first round, then they should win a close game.
Prediction: Briar Cliff 76-Cedarville 70