Great Plains Athletic Conference Tournament – Championship Preview

2021 GPAC Tournament Bracket

Quarterfinals

February 23rd

#8 Mount Marty 76, #1 Morningside 73

#4 Dakota Wesleyan 70, #5 Concordia 58

#3 Jamestown 89, #6 Dordt 68

#2 Northwestern 83, #7 Briar Cliff 77

Semifinals

February 27th

#8 Mount Marty 64,
#4 Dakota Wesleyan 58 (2 OT)
#2 Northwestern 74, #3
Jamestown 69

Finals

March 2nd

#8 Mount Marty (11-16, 9-11 GPAC) at #2 Northwestern (22-5, 15-5 GPAC), 7 pm Live Video

League Notes:

The top seed: Morningside
NAIA Locks: Morningside, Northwestern
NAIA Bubble Teams: Jamestown, Dakota Wesleyan
Best chances to win this tournament: Northwestern, Mount Marty
Possible sleeper: Concordia – Eliminated

KEY PLAYERS:

Jailen Billings – Mount Marty: (2x all-conf) – 15.9ppg, 68 3pters (4th), 42 assists
Elijah Pappas – Mount Marty: 13.8ppg, 6.5rpg (10th), 97 assists (7th)

Tyrell Harper – Mount Marty: 16ppg, 57% FG, 9.6rpg

Alex Van Kalsbeek – Northwestern: 20.9ppg (2nd), 74% (1st /1st), 7.3rpg (6th), 83 assists

Trent Hilbrands – Northwestern: 15.7ppg (10th), 75 3pters (1st), 43% 3pt (4th), 69 assists

KEY TEAMS:

#1 Morningside – Upset in 1st round by 8-seed Mount Marty.

#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!

UPSET SPECIAL:

#5 Concordia – Eliminated

Championship Game Notes:

#8 Mount Marty (11-16, 9-11 GPAC) at #2 Northwestern (22-5, 15-5 GPAC), 7 pm Live Video

Northwestern 2-0

While it may seem like Mount Marty being in the GPAC Title game is the surprise of the Conference Tournament season, I think it’s import to note that Todd Lorensen has had this Mount Marty squad as a thorn in the side of GPAC members for the past two seasons. They paly hard and despite their record, they have battled for most of the 2nd part of the season. They finally got hot at the right time of the year. Tonight though, they face Stud Freshman Alex Van Kalsbeek and his Northwestern squad who have won 12 straight contests and are playing the best basketball in the GPAC right now. What Mount Marty has done thus far has been fun and a bit crazy, but they are going to have to slow down Van Kalsbeek and Hillbrands to give themselves a chance at a 3rd straight upset, and the GPAC Tournament Title. Bubble teams from all across the NAIA will be HUGE Northwestern fans tonight.

OTHER NOTES:

GPAC Tournament Page

– The GPAC is a (2) bid league. The Regular Season Champions: Morningside and the Tournament Champions or Northwestern if Morningside wins the GPAC Tournament.

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.