Men's Basketball | 2/23/2017 12:18:00 PM
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Carleton: Schedule |
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ARDEN HILLS, Minn. — Bethel University's men's basketball team plays host to No. 3-seed Carleton College in the semifinal round of the 2017 MIAC Playoffs Thursday evening. Tipoff between the Royals (19-6) and Knights (18-8) is scheduled for 7 p.m. All fans are reminded that tickets are $7 for adults and $3 for students, however, students with a Bethel ID can get in for $1. Fans are encouraged to take part in a "WHITEOUT" tonight, by wearing white to the game.
Prior to this evening's semifinal matchup between BU and Carleton, bethelroyals.com gives fans 10 things to know heading into the postseason rubber match. If fans are unable to make it to the game they can follow along via
live webcast,
live stats, and
twitter.
The Bethel file
The Royals enter tonight's contest with a 19-6 record on the season and a 15-5 mark in MIAC play. Bethel has won their last five games and eight of their last 10 with their only two losses during that stretch coming against St. Thomas and Carleton. As a result, BU earned a share of the regular-season MIAC Championship for the first time in program history.
The Carleton file
The Knights come into tonight's matchup as perhaps the hottest team in the country, let alone the MIAC. Carleton has won 14 straight after starting the conference schedule 3-8. Prior to their string of wins, Carleton suffered five consecutive losses, including a 61-62 setback against St. Thomas, an overtime loss to Bethel, and a 64-69 loss to No. 6-ranked UW-River Falls.
Rubber match
Tonight's matchup between Carleton and Bethel is the third meeting of the season. The Royals and Knights split the season series with both teams winning on the road. BU overcame a 24-40 second half deficit in Northfield on January 2 and won 70-63 in overtime. Carleton scored 13 first-half points in Arden Hills on February 1, but cruised to a 69-51 victory.
Tourney time
Bethel secured their 17th trip to the MIAC Playoffs in the last 19 years. Only one other team has accomplished this feat during that stretch. The Royals' No. 2 seed ties a program record and marks just the third time since 1986 that BU has earned a first-round bye.
Doug Novak has helped Bethel reach the postseason in all four years as head coach.
A rare feat
Bethel's 19 wins overall and 15 against MIAC opponents marks the first time since 2000-01 that BU has reached the two win totals in the same season. The Royals have posted 19 or more wins seven times in program history and 15 conference wins just three times. Bethel is averaging 17.5 wins per year under head coach
Doug Novak, with three seasons of 18 wins or more.
Shooting stars
Bethel is shooting 49.3 percent on the season, which ranks No. 14 among all NCAA Division III basketball programs in field goal percentage. Four of BU's players are shooting .500 or better, including
Derek Magnuson, who is 130-of-205 (.634) during the 2016-17 campaign. The Royals have shot .500 or better during 13 of their 25 games.
Bethel's balance
Bethel has five players among the MIAC's Top 19 scorers, which is the most by any team. In terms of balance, Carleton is second-best as their top five are among the Top 34 scorers.
Bridgeport Tusler is ranked No. 8 with 14.9 points per game, while
Brycen Wojta,
Trevor Hall, and
Derek Magnuson are No. 15, 16, and 17.
Granger Kingland sits at No. 19 with 12.8 points per game.
Best offense is a good defense
One of Carleton's greatest attributes is their ability to defend. The Knights are ranked No. 5 among all NCAA Division III basketball programs in scoring defense, allowing opponents 61.8 points per game. One reason for this is their talent inside the paint. Carleton is No. 6 nationwide and No. 1 among the MIAC in total blocks, recording 137 swats this season.
Total turnaround
Carleton's Kent Hanson has had a total turnaround over the course of the 2016-17 campaign, as the first-year forward has become a key cog in the Knights' lineup. Hanson averaged 7.0 points and 3.9 rebounds per game in his first 10 contests of the season, but since then he's averaged 16.2 points and 6.2 rebounds over the last 13 games with nine 15-plus point performances during that stretch.
Receiving votes
Carleton is one of three conference teams (Bethel, St. Thomas) receiving votes in the latest D3hoops.com Top 25 poll. Not only are the Knights revered as one of the Top 35 Division III teams nationwide, but they're also ranked No. 7 in the most-recent West region rankings. Region rankings play a huge role in determining at-large bids to the NCAA Tournament.
