SEWARD, Neb. – The month of February takes on significant meaning for the Concordia University Men’s Basketball team, which finds itself one half-game behind Briar Cliff atop the league standings. The Bulldogs had an opportunity to refresh this past weekend after having defeated Hastings at home, 82-68, on Jan. 26. Head Coach Ben Limback’s squad went 5-2 during the month of January while remaining as a prime contender for the GPAC regular season title. Concordia enters the week at 18-5 overall and at 11-4 in league play.
This Week
Wednesday, Feb. 2 at Midland (14-11, 5-10 GPAC), 7:45 p.m.
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Saturday, Feb. 5 vs. Dordt (16-7, 8-6 GPAC), 3:45 p.m.
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By the numbers
· The Bulldogs got some help over the weekend with Dakota Wesleyan pulling the home upset of No. 25 Briar Cliff, 75-68. That defeat snapped a nine-game win streak for the Chargers, who vaulted into the NAIA top 25 poll last week. As for Concordia, the 92-77 loss at Northwestern on Jan. 22 was enough to knock it out of the top 25. The Bulldogs were listed as the second team in the “others receiving votes” category of last week’s poll. While Briar Cliff and Concordia are the current frontrunners in the GPAC, Morningside (9-5), Jamestown (9-6), Northwestern (9-6) and Dordt (8-6) are hanging close behind. As for Wednesday’s foe, Midland (5-10 GPAC), it needs wins down the stretch in order to have a shot to qualify for the eight-team GPAC tournament.
· In last week’s lone outing, the Bulldogs mounted a 40-14 lead over Hastings in what seemed to be shaping up as a runaway victory. Despite their struggles this season, the Broncos (6-18, 1-13 GPAC) showed fight by clawing all the way back within four (65-61) with more than four-and-a-half minutes still remaining. That surge by Hastings served as a wakeup call for Concordia, which got a big performance from Gage Smith (28 points and 11 rebounds). Smith notched the 13th double-double of his collegiate career. Noah Schutte (16 points and 11 rebounds) also turned in a double-double and AJ Watson added 13 points and six rebounds. With Justin Wiersema sidelined, senior Ryan Holt (five points and four assists) got the start.
· The home win streak has moved to 15 (27-1 in last 28 home games) after the victory over Hastings. Every opposing GPAC men’s basketball program has dropped its most recent trip to Seward. During the 15-game home win streak, the Bulldogs have won 14 of those contests by double-digit margins. Furthermore, Concordia has won each of its last 12 GPAC home games by 10 points or more. In 11 home games this season, the Bulldogs have won by an average score of 83.2 to 69.2 and have shot 51.1 percent from the floor. Also noteworthy, Concordia has made more free throws (154) and its opponents have attempted (131) in games played inside Friedrich Arena.
· To this point in the conference season, Concordia has played a more challenging GPAC slate than Briar Cliff. That means things will flip down the stretch as the Chargers still have to play at Morningside, host Jamestown and visit the Bulldogs. In conference games only, Concordia has been the highest scoring team in league play at 78.9 points per game. The Bulldogs have also allowed the fourth fewest points in GPAC games (71.9), giving them the best scoring differential (+7.0) of any team in the conference. Among GPAC teams, Concordia ranks third in field goal percentage defense (.435) and fifth in field goal percentage offense (.486).
· Carter Kent actually took more of a secondary scoring role in the win over Hastings. He finished with eight points, pushing his career total to 1,549. Kent is beginning to close in on former teammate Tanner Shuck (1,579) for eighth place on the program’s all-time scoring list. Kent graduated from Crete High School as its all-time leading scorer with 1,215 points. Between high school and college, Kent has produced a combined 2,764 points. Among GPAC players, Kent ranks sixth this season in scoring average (17.6). He’s been an efficient scorer, shooting 45.5 percent from the field, 39.2 percent from 3-point range and 87.4 percent from the foul line.
· Due to key players missing games here and there, Kent is the lone Bulldog to have started all 23 contests this season. Kent has been Concordia’s version of an iron man with him having started 113 of 114 Bulldog games over the past four seasons. He’s also logging a team high 35.0 minutes per game. In addition, Wiersema has been counted upon to play 32.4 minutes per game. Concordia very nearly has all five starters averaging in double figures in scoring: Kent (17.6), Gage Smith (13.4), Noah Schutte (13.2), Wiersema (11.8) and AJ Watson (9.8).
The opponents
In early January, Midland sat at 14-4 overall (5-3 GPAC) and appeared to be one of the more improved teams in the GPAC. Since then, the Warriors have suffered seven losses in a row, including three by margins of three points or less. Head Coach Oliver Drake’s squad owns a home win over Northwestern and a road victory over Briar Cliff to its credit. Midland boasts two especially prolific scorers in Laurence Merritt (18.1) and Bo Sandquist (16.1). In conference games only, the Warriors sport GPAC ranks of seventh in scoring offense (72.5) and eighth in scoring defense (74.9). The Bulldogs own a six-game series win streak over Midland.
Dordt could still be a factor in the GPAC title race if it can continue in February where it left off in January – with three-straight GPAC wins. It won’t be an easy road for the Defenders, who still have trips left to Concordia, Northwestern and Jamestown. Head Coach Brian Van Haaften’s squad can light it up offensively. It sports NAIA national rankings of ninth in field goal percentage (.500) and 30th in scoring offense (82.5). The most potent components that fuel the Dordt offensive attack are Bryce Coppock (18.9) and Jacob Vis (15.9). However, Vis has missed the past three games. Back on Nov. 20, the Bulldogs eked out an 84-82, win in Sioux Center, Iowa, that could have easily gone the other way.
Next week
Concordia will play just once next week – Feb. 9 at Doane. The Bulldogs will then have another weekend off before a major showdown with Briar Cliff coming up on Feb. 16.