Bethel University Athletics

2/24/2018 3:01:00 PM /

Men's Basketball

Championship Preview: Bethel Hosts Augsburg in Playoff Finale

ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—Bethel University's men's basketball team is hosting Augsburg University in the championship game of the 2018 MIAC Playoffs on Sunday, Feb. 25 at 2 p.m. The title game slated between the No. 3-seeded Royals and No. 4-seeded Auggies marks the second consecutive season that BU will play host to the championship event and the third time in the last four seasons that Bethel has played in the MIAC Playoff finale.
 
Links: Live video | Live stats | Campus Map |

Event info: Tickets for Sunday's 2 p.m. game will begin being sold at 12:30 p.m. However, fans are encouraged to come earlier, as it is a first-come, first-serve event until the arena is sold out. Once it is sold out, there will be overflow rooms airing the live stream available for both Augsburg and Bethel fans. Fans must be present and in line to purchase tickets, as those purchasing tickets will not be able to buy more for guests coming later. The price for admission is $7 for adults, $3 for students, and free for kids five and under. MIAC passes are accepted, however, those with a pass will need to stand in the ticket line. There will be a will call station for select guests right across the hall from the gymnasium.
 
What's at stake: The winner of Sunday's game will not only be crowned Playoff champion, but will also receive the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament scheduled to begin next Friday, March 2. [MIAC Playoff Website]
 
How'd they get here: Bethel and Augsburg have taken a similar path to championship Sunday, as both teams have played two games in the MIAC Playoffs thus far. Bethel mounted a 18-4 run in the final 4:50 of Wednesday's quarterfinal to defeat Carleton 71-65. The Royals then used a 29-9 second-half run to take down St. Olaf in Northfield by a score of 79-57. Augsburg topped St. Thomas for the third time this season in the quarterfinal round by a final score of 67-55, marking the first time in program history that the Auggies had defeated UST three times in one season. They then slayed Saint John's, who is ranked No. 3 nationwide, in Collegeville Friday evening by a final score of 80-68.

Season series: Sunday's game between Bethel and Augsburg is the third and final meeting of the 2017-18 campaign. The contest will prove to be the ultimate rubber match, as each team recorded a win on the road. The Auggies recorded the first blow when defeating the Royals in Arden Hills 87-74 on November 29, but BU responded with a 78-67 victory at Si Melby Hall on January 10.
 
The matchup: Tonight's matchup between the Royals and Auggies marks the 91st meeting between these two teams, dating back to 1967. Augsburg holds a 56-34 advantage over Bethel, which includes a 27-17 record in Arden Hills. BU is 6-3 in the last nine games and 3-0 in postseason play.
 
No man's land: The Royals have reached the postseason in seven consecutive seasons and 17 times in the last 19 years, which is the second most of any conference team during that stretch. Bethel has advanced to the MIAC semifinals or better in 13 of those 17 Playoff runs, including the last five under the direction of head coach Doug Novak. No other team has accomplished this feat across the conference. They've now also reached the MIAC Championship game three times in the last four years, something no other team can boast.

Regionally ranked: Augsburg was ranked No. 6 in the most recent West Region rankings, which came out before the Auggies' wins over St. Thomas and Saint John's. A significant boost to their strength of schedule and two more victories—one over a ranked opponent—could have Augsburg dancing regardless of Sunday's outcome.