Frontier Notebook: MSU-N's Hovde earns Frontier honor

With just two weeks left in the regular season, it would seem reasonable that the Frontier Conference standings are starting to clear up.

In some ways, that's what is happening, but in others, it's not even close.

The Montana Western women, despite a loss to Carroll College last week, are still in the driver's seat for the Frontier regular season title, homecourt advantage in the Frontier playoffs, and a high seed at next month's NAIA national tournament. However, Western has work to do with a two-game lead on Carroll, and, while the Frontier is still likely to get five of its seven teams to March Madness in Billings, the standings are still up for grabs.

While Carroll trails Western by just two games, the Fighting Saints lead Lewis-Clark State by two games for second, and Rocky Mountain College and Providence are just one, and two games out of third, respectively. So, as far as seeding for the conference playoffs go, a lot can change in two weeks.

Things are even closer on the men's side, and for the second straight season, a minimum of four losses is going to win the Frontier regular season title, and it could end up being a team with five, perhaps six losses that takes home the crown.

Carroll's loss to LC State last Saturday night, was the Saint's fourth loss in league play, yet, they are still clinging to first place in the Frontier standings, one game ahead of the Warriors, and just two games ahead of MSU-Northern and Providence, who are both 8-6 in league play. Rocky, which has lost three straight, is now in fifth place, and Montana Tech is in sixth, but is also falling off the pace.

Yes, to say the least, the men's side is a mess right now, largely due to injury issues at Carroll, because two weeks ago, it looked like the Saints were going to blow the rest of the field away.

Now however, the Frontier men's title is firmly up for grabs, while the women's side has plenty left to be decided as well. And, it's down the stretch they come.

Moving Up

The Lights have certainly wound up making the most noise since January got here. Northern was sitting at 0-3 in the Frontier back on Jan. 8, and now, the Lights are battling for a Frontier title, and home playoff games.

Yes, Northern is certainly in the thick of things heading into road games at Carroll Thursday and Rocky Saturday. If the Lights were to sweep the road trip, they could be in a tie for first by the end of the trip, with a final two home games remaining.

It's been a remarkable turnaround for head coach Shawn Huse' club, and the Lights have done it with defense, and good shooting. Northern is on a three-game winning streak, and has won five of its last six. In that stretch, the Lights are allowing a Frontier best 66 ppg, while on the offensive end, they're shooting at a 52 percent clip during those last six games. Those numbers bode well for a Northern team that is once again a major factor in the Frontier standings.

National Tourney Watch

There are just two NAIA Coaches Polls left before the field of 32 will be announced for the NAIA women's tourney in Billings, and the men's big dance in Kansas City, Missouri.

As mentioned above, the Frontier is still in good shape to send five teams to Billings, with Western, Carroll, Rocky and LC State locks right now, and Providence' overall record keeping the Argos in good shape as well. However, the Argos can't afford too many more slip ups, because they need to stay at or near the Top 25 in the next two polls, the first of which will be released later today.

The Frontier men aren't in as good a shape though. Carroll, despite its reason struggles, will get to Kansas City, and LC State isn't too far behind as a lock as well. But, with the way the league is beating up on each other, if someone else doesn't gain a lot of ground in the next two weeks, that could be it. Northern is making a push, but Rocky and Providence, which have been ranked for much of the season, are trending in the wrong direction right now, and, the final regular season coaches poll will tell the tale, because teams need to be at or near the Top 25 to get into at-large bid territory.

So, with the way things are going on the men's side, it could be two, or it still could be as many as four bids for the Frontier, and the Lights are definitely moving into that discussion.

Frontier Honors

MSU-N's Sydney Hovde was named Frontier Conference Women's Player of the Week. Hovde is a 5-10 sophomore from Columbia Falls.

In Northern's two wins last week, Hovde 10 points, seven rebounds and two assists, while also scoring the game-winning three-point play against Montana Tech last Friday night.

LC State's Dana Abe was named the Frontier Men's Player of the Week. Abe is a 6-4 senior from Seattle.

Abe averaged 24 ppg in the Warrior's sweep of RMC and Carroll last weekend. Northern's Mascio McCadney was also nominated.