SJU's Smith closing in on 700 wins

Here's a story that's easy to rally around for the MIAC faithful. Saint John's basketball coach Jim Smith is three wins away from 700 in his career. That's a feat achieved by just one other Division III basketball coach, putting him in elite company.

For the nice non-UST story I was begging for but two days ago, please see Jim Souhan's article in Sunday's Star Tribune.

Will Smith reach that milestone this year, or will he have to wait until next? The remaining schedule is tough, with all four remaining opponents fighting for playoffs spots. However, only a complete collapse would see them miss the playoffs, meaning he'll get at least five games to win three.

Here's a quick look at the remaining schedule:

2/11 — Home Augsburg

The Auggies pounded SJU 68-51 in the first meeting of the year and Augsburg is still fighting for a first-round bye in the MIAC playoffs. However, SJU has won five straight and appears to be peaking at the right time.

Advantage: Johnnies

2/14 — At Hamline

The Pipers are the only thing that could prevent SJU from reaching the postseason, but the Johnnies' magic number for clinching is 1. Hamline has won five of six after a horrible start.

Advantage: Johnnies

2/18 — At St. Thomas

If the Johnnies and Tommies are able to take care of business heading into this game, it has the potential to be the biggest showdown between these rivals in a decade or more — or maybe even ever. I'm sure Smith would like nothing more than to win his 700th game in one of the last games ever played at Schoenecker Arena, but UST is fighting to become just the second team in league history to ever finish 20-0. The top-ranked Tommies won the first game 86-55 so they've got to be favored in the rematch.

Advantage: Tommies

2/21 — Home Gustavus

This game could mean many different things, depending on how the earlier games play out — it could decide a first-round bye, it could determine the postseason travel schedule or it could even determine which team doesn't make the MIAC tournament. Gustavus won the first meeting 68-62 in Saint Peter, but the teams have gone in opposite directions to end the year. The Gusties have lost five of eight after a strong start to the conference schedule.

Advantage: Johnnies

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Personally, I see a young SJU team slipping up in one of the games I've listed them as the favorite — I'm hoping it's the Gustavus game — and then falling in the first round of the MIAC tournament. That'd push the historic win back until next season, which would be unfortunate given Smith's relatively fragile health Souhan refers to often in his piece.


Minnesota Wrap
• Short piece on the 100th anniversary celebration at Gustavus. Hanson's quoted, but it doesn't seem like he was in a very festive mood. Can't say that I blame him.