UMAC Game of the Week: Bethany Lutheran vs. Northwestern - Men's Basketball
The UMAC Game of the Week runs each week during the conference regular season and breaks down one key matchup from one sport.
The Matchup
Thursday, Jan. 31 - University of Northwestern at Bethany Lutheran College, men's basketball, 7:15 p.m. in Mankato, Minnesota
***UPDATE***
Northwestern wins 105-101
What's at Stake
- Championship impact - Both Bethany Lutheran and Northwestern enter Thursday's game with just one loss each. Each team has three games left on the schedule against teams currently sixth or lower in the UMAC standings and losing records. Thursday's game could very well be one that has the most impact on which team will be the regular season champion or at least have impact on any tiebreaker situations.
- Playoff berth - The Vikings can lock up a postseason berth Thursday with either a win or a loss by the University of Minnesota Morris. The Eagles can also clinch with a win and a loss by the Cougars.
- Streaks - The Vikings are riding a 12-game winning streak (10 in a row in conference play), while the Eagles now have seven-straight victories which have all come against UMAC teams. This game will put an end to a very impressive streak for one of the top UMAC men's hoops programs.
Previously in Action
- Bethany Lutheran escaped a tough Northland College team Saturday with a 93-85 win in Mankato.
- Northwestern had a conference bye Saturday and avenged its only UMAC loss this season with a 95-87 win over Crown College Wednesday in St. Paul.
Need to Know
- Recent rivalry - Over the last two seasons, the BLC vs. UNW series has become one of the most anticipated in the UMAC. The two squads have split their season series each of the last two years and they met in the conference championship a year ago which ended with Bethany Lutheran holding off a late game comeback ending the Eagles' postseason championship streak at seven-straight.
- Offensive dominance - Bethany Lutheran and Northwestern are the top two teams in the conference in major offensive categories with nearly identical numbers. Both teams are scoring over 85 points per game (ppg) against UMAC teams and shoot 48 percent from the field topping all UMAC numbers. They are also the only two teams in the UMAC that boast double-digit scoring margins.
- Evenly matched - The two teams are very evenly matched in almost every team statistical category. The only major difference in any aspect of the game is that Northwestern boasts a conference-low 9.8 turnovers per game. The Vikings are fifth with 12.9 per game. Still, that is just a slight difference meaning every aspect of the game should be evenly matched making this upcoming match up one that can't be missed.
Players to Watch - Bethany Lutheran
- Trenton Krueger, Jr., F - All-UMAC last season; UMAC Stats: 11.1 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 1.3 bpg
- Cire Mayfield, Fy., G - UMAC Stats: 19.6 ppg, 51.4 FG%, 81.6 FT%, 4.9 apg (1st)
- Jared Milinkovich, So., G - UMAC Stats: 9.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.0 bpg, 1.4 spg
Players to Watch - Northwestern
- Caleb Hageman, Sr., G - HM Last Season; UMAC Stats: 14.1 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 50.0 FG%
- Michael Moore, Fy., G - UMAC Stats: 12.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 4.4 apg, 2.4 A/TO, 1.1 spg
- Tanner Youngberg, Jr., F - All-UMAC Last Season; UMAC Stats: 14.2 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 54.1 FG%, 3.5 apg, 1.0 bpg
This game will be a "can't miss." Keep up with the
live video and
live stats for the big game. Get in on the action by interacting on social media (#UMACgotw).
2018-19 Game of the Week Archives