Johnnies set sights on MIAC playoffs as regular season winds down

After Wednesday night’s 89-69 win over St. Olaf, the SJU basketball team currently sits 18-5 overall, 16-2 in the MIAC.

With two regular season games remaining, both against teams in the MIAC, the Johnnies have clinched the No. 1 seed in the MIAC playoffs.

The team’s winning record and successful season have helped get them to where they are now.

Senior Connor Schwob believes the team has a good strategy going into the postseason and getting to the MIAC championship.

“We have to put some good practices together and win these last couple of games so we feel good going into the playoffs,” Schwob said.

By starting the season 8-2, Schwob said, the Johnnies were able to set themselves up for success.

“The way we played in the beginning of the season gave us some cushion here at the end, which gives us time to get back on track so we can peak at the right time during playoffs,” Schwob said.

Being his senior season, Schwob is excited to continue competing with his friends each day at practice and soaking up every last moment of the season.

Junior captain Kooper Vaughn is also excited for what the rest of the season has in store. Vaughn recently tied the SJU single-game record for three-pointers in a game with 11. He attributes his success during this game to his teammates because throughout the game they were able to find him open or make a play that would get him open.

Additionally, achieving this feat was quite memorable for Vaughn.

“It hasn’t been broken for quite a while, so even being able to tie it really means a lot,” Vaughn said via email.

The team’s selfless nature is another factor Vaughn attributed to their success.

“Every game, you see guys passing up a good shot for a great shot,” Vaughn said.

Senior captain Blake Berg said the team is taking it one day at a time in preparation for the post-season and trying to get back to the MIAC Championship.

“We have to keep doing what we’re doing, take it day after day. That way, we can make sure we’re prepared for every game and can come in and do what we do,” Berg said.

Although the season has gone well, Berg said the team still has high expectations for the rest of the season.

“You never want to lose a game, so as of right now, we’re happy with where we’re at but definitely not satisfied. There are bigger goals that we have, so we have to keep coming in every day and working for that so we can be where we want to be,” Berg said.

For the remainder of his senior season, Berg is excited to keep having fun with his teammates and getting to see everyone at practice.

With 11 players averaging at least 10 minutes per game, head coach Pat McKenzie credits the team’s depth to their success this season.

“We have a lot of guys that can help, so we’re able to absorb injuries and illness. We can get different guys to step up on different nights,” McKenzie said.

Additionally, McKenzie said, this kind of depth offers the team an advantage when playing because they are able to showcase lots of different lineups.

“It’s natural that some guys will have a really good night and some will have a bad night. Being able to offset a tough night and play the guys with the hot hand is very useful,” McKenzie said.

The team’s camaraderie has also played a role in the team’s success. McKenzie highlighted the very tight-knit group of players he has and how close they are both on and off the court.

With only two games left in the regular season, the team’s strategy is to go one day at a time.

“We have to take care of today, focus on that and let the results fall into place. Worry about our next game and then go from there. But, most importantly, we’re making sure we take care of St. John’s first and doing what we need to do for ourselves to set us up for success,” McKenzie said.