I’m BACK! Thank you for your patience as I stepped back a bit for the birth of our little girl! Then for a couple days after, as we had to monitor mom to make sure she was alright. We seem to be on the way up now! Truly appreciate all of the messages and texts of people praying for us! God is GOOD!
Top Games
6PM CT | No. 14 Grace (IN) @ RV Saint Francis (IN)
Another big Crossroads League game tonight as No. 14 Grace heads to RV Saint Francis (IN) for a battle between two teams tied for 2nd place in the league at 5-2! USF is 4-1 at home this season with that only loss coming at the hands of a hot shooting MVNU team who hit 19-3’s in the win. USF needs this win as they have five of their next seven games on the road. Grace is 6-2 on the road and are coming off a tough 1-pt home loss to No. 10 Bethel (IN). They have 4 of their next 5 games at home, so a win tonight doesn’t just keep them 2-games back of Bethel, but if they defend home court, they could be sitting in great shape headed into the final two weeks of the season! Luke Almodovar leads the way for USF, as he comes into this one averaging 19.9ppg in league play. Isiah Malone has really stepped up his game in league play as well, as he averages 17.1ppg. For the Lancers, as we have discussed, they are super balanced, as they share the ball well and lead the NAIA in Assists. The Ian’s (Scott and Raasch) lead the balanced attack. Should be a fun one in Fort Wayne, Indiana tonight!
6:30pm CT | No. 15 Keiser (FL) @ No. 24 Ave Maria (FL)
A Top 25 showdown in the Sun Conference tonight featuring the No. 1 Offense (Ave Maria) vs the No. 1 Defense (Keiser)! This game features the Top two teams in the Sun as Keiser sits at 5-0 in league play and Ave Maria is 4-1. For Keiser, Vincent Miszkiewicz is the favorite for Sun Conference Player of the Year, once again. He leads the league in RPG (12.9) is 2nd in FG% (59.4). Bobo Sirmans has also been great for Keiser. He currently leads the Seahawks in PPG (14.6) and leads the league in Assists. Keiser also added Malik Kabia to the lineup at the break. He has come in with 11.7ppg in his first three games. The Seahawks also are one of the best defensive teams in the country. Only giving up 63.9ppg and holding teams to 37.1% from the field. They are also one of the best in the country in gurding the 3pt line, holding opponents to just 30.7% from behind the arc. Ave Maria, on the other hand, leads the country in PPG (96.8) and is one of the best 3pt shooting teams at 39%. It’s a balanced lineup with seven guys averaging in double figures in Sun Conf play. They are led by Jack Watkins, Miles Monchecourt and Michael Klekas. The Gyrenes are 6-1 at home this season!
7PM CT | Saint Xavier (IL) @ RV Saint Francis (IL)
Saint Francis Fighting Saints YouTube
Saint Francis comes into this one holding a two-game lead in the CCAC Standings over both Saint Xavier and IU Northwest. They come into this game as winners of 5-straight games. This is a veteran group who battled a lot of injuries last season. This year they have really been clicking! A lot of that has been the return of Aitor Anabitarte, who is a serious contender for CCAC Player of the Year! The 5th year player, who had a season long injury last year, has come back better than ever averaging 14.1ppg and 8.9rpg. Rahmel Davis has also been good for the Fightin’ Saints. This game is going to come down to who can control the pace of play. Saint Francis averages just 74ppg while SXU averages 96.3ppg. SXU is led by Jordan Jackson, but can hurt you in so many different ways. Winner sits alone in 1st place in the CCAC!
7:45PM CT | No. 12 Dordt (IA) @ No. 3 Northwestern (IA)
The night cap is going to be a doozey! Northwestern is one of just two undefeated teams left, with the other one (No. 1 Georgetown) facing off against No. 2 Freed-Hardeman on Saturday. Both of these two teams are two of the most high powered and efficient offensive teams in the NAIA. This game should have a really good pace to it and will come down to who can get enough stops. I won’t be shocked to see both teams in the 90’s in this one. Although NWC has shown the ability to slow other good offensive teams down a bit. This game features some GREAT player matchups as we get the Lucas Lorenzen, Bryce Coppock and Luke Rankin squaring off against Alex Van Kalsbeek, Jesse Van Kalsbeek and Jalen Langsey! Don’t be shocked though if it’s someone outside the BIG 3 from each team who comes up big in this one. Connor Millikan and Jake Hargens out of Dordt have had their moments as has Kaleb Booth and Zach LaFave! Another game that features the Top Two teams in the league and another one that should be a “Tournament” type game with this one having a BIG time atmosphere!
Top 25 Games
No. 8 Baker (KS) @ Missouri Valley | 7:30pm CT | Heart Network
No. 10 Bethel (IN) vs Spring Arbor | 6:30pm CT | Bethel Pilots Sports Network
No. 16 Pikeville (KY) @ Milligan (TN) | 6:30pm CT | MilliganBuffs Live
No. 18 Huntington (IN) vs Taylor (IN) | 6:30pm CT | Huntington University YouTube
No. 22 Florida Memorial @ St. Thomas (FL) | 6:30pm CT | Sun Digital Network
Other Games of Note
6:30pm CT | Rochester Christian @ RV Indiana Tech | Indiana Tech Warriors YouTube
7:45pm CT | Dakota Wesleyan (SD)@ RV Morningside (IA) || GPAC Network
8:00pm CT | RV OKWU @ Ottawa (KS) | KCAC Network
8:00pm CT | Southwestern (KS) @ Friends (KS) | KCAC Network
