16-game long winning streak ends in close game at Gustavus

The St. John’s (21-3, 14-1) basketball team lost last Saturday at Gustavus (21-3, 15-0). This loss broke a 16-game winning streak for the Johnnies and dropped their ranking from No. 6 in the nation to No. 12. After their win, Gustavus moved into the top 25 rankings at the No. 21 ranking spot.

St. John’s loss also means that they will not host the MIAC Championship if they make it. Both St. John’s and Gustavus will have a bye in the first round of the MIAC playoffs.

St. John’s will play the higher seed of the winner of the No. 6 vs No. 3 seed or No. 5 vs No. 4 seed. As of Feb. 19, Hamline (15-9, 11-4) is the No. 3 seed, Carleton (15-8, 8-6) is the #4 seed, Augsburg (11-12, 7-7) is the No. 5 seed and Concordia (11-12, 7-7) is the No. 6 seed.

There are 64 teams in the NCAA Tournament with 43 teams having an automatic bid for winning their conference and 21 teams with an at-large bid.

If St. John’s wins the MIAC Championship, they will have an automatic bid. Otherwise, they will have to earn one of the 21 at-large bids.

The at-large bids are determined by their NCAA Power Index (NPI) which considers wins and quality of competition among other things.

Currently, St. John’s is No. 29 in the NPI rankings and are placed at the No. 15 at-large spot. Gustavus is ranked No. 21 in the NPI rankings. Unless drastic circumstances occur, none of the other MIAC teams are likely to earn an at-large bid.

If St. John’s loses any of their next games, there may be a chance that they drop from the top 21 at-large spots and do not make the national tournament.

St. John’s has 11 MIAC regular season titles, eight MIAC playoff titles and 21 NCAA Tournament appearances.