A CASE FOR THIS WINTER BEING THE BEST-EVER FOR AREA COLLEGE HOOPS

This may be the best overall college basketball season that area fans have enjoyed, and it’s not just because the flagship University of Missouri Tiger teams will both likely be dancing in the NCAA Tournament. Consider this:
-The MACC Lady Greyhounds won a Region 16 championship, are ranked 4th in the country with a record of 31-0, set a program record for victories and advance to an NJCAA District playoff game.
-The MACC Greyhounds, despite a disappointing performance in the Region 16 Tournament, have spent the majority of the season in the NJCAA Top 10 and have a record of 26-5.
-The Truman men’s basketball team has far exceeded expectations with a fifth straight 20-win season, a number two-seed from the regular season in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament, an appearance in the GLVC Championship game, three First Team All-Conference players for only the third time in conference history, and an at-large bid to the NCAA Division II Tournament.
-The Truman women won their final five games of the regular season to finish with 15 victories and had the GLVC Freshman of the Year in Katie Jaseckas
-The Central Methodist women won both the Heart of America regular season and conference tournament championships, have vaulted to number 9 in the NAIA rankings heading into the National Tournament, and have one of the most dynamic scorers in the country in Dajonee Hale, who eclipsed 2,000 points for her Eagle career.
-The Central Methodist men won the Heart of America South Division to earn a trip to the NAIA National Tournament, had the Heart Player of the Year in Brian Egejuru, the Coach of the Year in Jeff Sherman, who won his 600th career game, and rose to number 7 in the NAIA rankings.
-The Columbia College women led by first-year AMC Coach of the Year, Taylor Possail, won both the AMC regular season and conference tournaments twice upending a Freed-Hardeman team that rose to the number one spot in the NAIA rankings. The Cougar will take 28-5 record into the NAIA National Tournament.
-The Columbia College men will also make another appearance in the NAIA National Tournament, after winning another AMC regular season championship. Columbia’s Jackson Dubinski was named the AMC Player of the Year and Bob Burchard was named the AMC Coach of the Year. The Cougars rose to as high as 3rd in the NAIA rankings.
-The CCCB men won their first-ever conference championship.

I can’t remember a better overall winter of college basketball in this area. And, Michael Porter, Junior is returning to the Mizzou lineup in time for the postseason. Lets enjoy the finish!

Brad Boyer