It was an excellent Saturday for D3 hoops fans as we saw so many incredible finishes and matchups play out across the country. Those in WIAC had an especially good day, going 6-1 in a some competitive matchups. It will be a pretty light schedule today, at least in comparison to yesterday, but here’s a look at what I think will be the Game of the Day…

Game of the Day: Rowan @ #9 Amherst, 1 p.m. EST

Rowan kept the score close against #16 Springfield yesterday, falling by five. Meanwhile Amherst only beat Springfield by four, when the two played Friday. Not big on the comparative results thing, but this could create an interesting matchup. Both teams rebound it well and plays tenacious defense, so I’m expecting to see a low-scoring duel and possibly Rowan make a charge at a Top 10 upset.

Thoughts from around the division…

• I got to see UC-Santa Cruz in action for the first time in a 78-60 win over Cal Tech. They have one of the better one-two punches in the country in my opinion, with Kaylee Murphy and Ashley Kowack. But it’s the players around those two that will make UCSC a Top 25 team this season, because as teams are forced to pay attention to the other three players on the floor from a scoring threat standpoint, it will also open up more opportunities for Kowack and Murphy.
• Also saw #4 UW-Whitewater come away with its 79-69 win over #14 Millikin. Elyce Knudsen had 25 for Millikin and was a challenge for UWW to guard all evening, but UWW was stronger inside. The Warhawks continued working the ball into the paint and more often than not, found a good shot at close range. Aleah Grundahl was a huge contributor on plays like those, with 25 points. And as I mentioned yesterday, after Millikin’s loss to UWSP, nobody should be freaking out…Bailey Coffman is a huge part of Millikin’s post play, and did not play in either of these games.
• It was a banner day for the WIAC, as UW-Eau Claire edged out Bethel, UW-Oshkosh took down Wartburg by 13, UW-River Falls dominated against Crown, UW-La Crosse won by 30 over Lawrence, and UW-Stevens Point edged out a Carroll team that gave UWW a scare on Friday. The WIAC might be the place to be for women’s hoops this season, we’ll see…
• Hope is showing no signs of weakness here in the early goings of this season. Illinois Wesleyan, as a more perimeter-based team, struggled to find shots early on, as the Flying Dutch went up 33-7 at the end of the first quarter. And IWU will contend for the CCIW title this season. Once again, Hope is making the voters’ jobs easy, because Brian Morehouse’s team has laid claim to that No. 1 spot. Hope won 99-73 with four of the five starters finishing with double figures in scoring. Hope’s next real test is likely not going to come until that Dec. 17 showdown against Trine.

Kept it short on this Sunday morning. For a more comprehensive recap of yesterday’s action, head over to D3hoops.com. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!