RMAC Shootout Semi-finals: Mavs Preview

The Colorado Mesa University women's basketball team has defeated Fort Lewis twice this season -by 15 last December in Durango - and last weekend by 8 in the regular season finale. Does that make it more likely, or less likely the Mavericks will win tonight against the Skyhawks in the semi-finals of the RMAC Shootout at Brownson Arena?

When it comes to playing a high-caliber opponent, most sports enthusiasts would probably agree it's tough to beat a team three times in a row - in the same season. Fort Lewis(18-9 overall) has to think that the third time will be a charm. They led the Mavericks for nearly 30 minutes in the game Saturday night before the Mavs finally gained the lead and pulled away. The  4th seeded Skyhawks are an excellent team. They play tough defense, and they shoot the ball extremely well. In back-to-back games they have had five players reach double figures and four of their starters were named to the all-RMAC teams.

But the Mavericks(26-1 overall) are also an excellent team. They play tough defense, and are a good shooting team. Three Maverick starters were named to the all RMAC First Team. They haven't lost at home this season and are trying to secure the top seed in next week's South Central Regional Tournament. The Skyhawks, currently ranked 8th in the region,  are just  simply trying to get there.

Honestly, this is a ball game that could go either way. In fact, every game the Mavericks play from here on out will be that way. Every team they face will be a good team. Which team is shooting the ball well? Which team is in foul trouble? Which team is committing unforced errors?

The Mavericks hope the home court advantage will be the difference, and are hoping that the stands will be  packed to the rafters with screaming fans. The Mavericks deserve the support: a 26-1 record, the RMAC Coach of the Year in Taylor Wagner, and the RMAC Player of the Year in Kelsey Sigl. The winner of tonight's game will play in the       RMAC Shootout Championship Saturday night at Brownson Arena. Win or lose, though, the Mavericks are headed for the Regional.

Meanwhile, the 5th seeded Maverick men's basketball team is coming off a road victory on Tuesday against CSU-Pueblo in the quarterfinals. The Mavs sort of limped into the Shootout, losing four of their last 5 games, and dropping from second place to  5th place. But, in the shootout, nothing matters but today's game. Not the records, not the regular season, not even last week.

Last year the  Mavericks(18-9 overall) upset the Metro State Roadrunners and advanced to the championship game, before losing to Colorado Mines. Tonight's game is a bit of a rematch, as the Mavericks take on the #1 seed and regular season champion Roadrunners. These teams met in late January with Metro winning it 64-52. In that game, the Mavericks managed to grab a one point lead in the final 10 minutes before the Roadrunners pulled away.

Metro State (25-2) is a good team. Real good. They were ranked #1 in the nation for a good part of the season. But,  last Friday night they lost to CSU-Pueblo, the team that the Mavericks beat on Tuesday to advance in the shootout.  In other words, anything can happen. Anything is possible.The winner will advance to tomorrow's championship against the Fort Lewis Adams State winner.

RMAC SHOOTOUT SEMI-FINALS

MBB at Auraria Event Center in Denver
#2 Adams State vs #3 Fort Lewis    5pm
#5 Colorado Mesa vs #1 Metro State   7pm
 (Radio coverage on AM 1230 KEXO and on line at www.kexo1230.com) 

WBB at Brownson Arena in Grand Junction
#6 Colorado Christian vs #2 Metro State        5:30
#4 Fort Lewis  vs #1 Colorado Mesa                7:30
(Radio coverage on 95 ROCK   95.1 FM and on-line at www.95rockfm.com)