2021 GPAC Tournament Bracket
Quarterfinals
February 23rd
#5 Concordia @ #4 Dakota Wesleyan 7pm CTย Live Video
#6 Dordt @ #3 Jamestown 7pm CTย Live Video
#8 Mount Marty @ #1 Morningside 8pm CTย Live Video
#7 Briar Cliff @ #2 Northwestern 8pm CTย Live Video
Semifinals
February 27th
Finals
March 2ndย
League Notes:
The top seed:ย Morningside
NAIA Locks:ย Morningside, Northwestern
NAIA Bubble Teams:ย ย Jamestown, Dakota Wesleyan
Best chances to win this tournament:ย Morningside, Northwestern, Jamestown
Possible sleeper:ย ย Concordia
KEY PLAYERS:
Trey Brown – Morningside:ย 17.1ppg, 11.3rpg
Trey has been nearly unstoppable in the paint this year for the Mustangs. He is a walking double-double and is going to be a force in the NAIA National Tournament.
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Alex Van Kalsbeek – Northwestern:ย 19.92ppg, 7.2rpg, 3.1apg
The Freshman is special. The 2nd leading scorer in the league right now and has been very good against some of the best bigs in the NAIA. He is mature above his years and is skilled.
Mason Walters – Jamestownย 21.4ppg, 12.12rpg
Hard to fathom that Mason won’t be your GPAC Player of the Year this year. The Sophomore leads the GPAC in both Points Per Game and Rebounds Per Game. Despite two AWFUL games, he has been as dominant as any player in the GPAC this season.
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KEY TEAMS:
#1 Morningside – They have been a GPAC powerhouse for quite some time now. This is Hall of Famer Jim Sykes last season at the helm of the Mustangs. You can bet that they will give everything they have to help him go out the best way they can!
#2 Northwestern – It’s crazy to think that a Freshman can help lead a team to the GPAC Tournament Title, but Alex Van Kalsbeek doesn’t seem to have much that throws him off his game, including the coaches in the GPAC that have thrown the kitchen sink at him. Kid’s a STUD!
#3 Jamestown – They have the talent to beat anyone and have shown they can. They are the only team to sweep Morningside this season. Mason Walters and Allante Pickens will need to both have good tournaments.ย
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UPSET SPECIAL:ย
#5 Concordia – They won the GPAC Tournament a year ago and the Bulldogs are a team that if they get hot, they could cause some real trouble in this tournament.ย
Quarterfinal Game Notes:
#5 Concordia @ #4 Dakota Wesleyan 7pm CTย Live Video
Season series tied 1-1. Both games under 12pt margins.
Concordia is the defending GPAC Tournament Champions. If they are knocking down 3’s they can go on the road and get this win. These two programs met in last years GPAC Tournament Championship game and meet in the 1st round this year. Should be a fun one in the Corn Palace!
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#6 Dordt @ #3 Jamestown 7pm CTย Live Video
Season series tied 1-1
It’s one of those scenario’s where Jamestown beat Dordt by 17 at home, then lost to them by 19 on the road and you just laugh because it doesn’t make sense.ย
#8 Mount Marty @ #1 Morningside 8pm CTย Live Video
Morningside 2-0. Both games by 10pts.
This Mount Marty team is scrappy and can be a real thorn in teams sides. They just don’t ever seem to go away and play hard. They have a tough task to go on the road to beat Morningside.
#7 Briar Cliff @ #2 Northwestern 8pm CTย Live Video
Northwestern 2-0. Both games under 10pt margins.
Briar Cliff is one of those teams that if they get hot they can knock off anyone! They will need to be hot tonight as Northwestern comes in as winners of 10 straight games. They are playing great basketball and will be a tough matchup for Briar Cliff.
OTHER NOTES:
– The GPAC is a (2) bid league. The Regular Season Champions: Morningside and the Tournament Champions or Northwestern if Morningside wins the GPAC Tournament.
Best Opening Round Matchup: #6 Dordt @ #3 Jamestown.
Our Pick To Win It: Northwestern – Winners of 10 straight, we will ride the hot hand coming into the GPAC Tournament. A lot of talent and can hurt you both inside and out.
