Great Plains Athletic Conference Tournament – Semifinal 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 (10-16, 9-11 GPAC at #4 Dakota Wesleyan (19-7, 14-6 GPAC), 3pm Live Video

#3 Jamestown (19-7, 14-6 GPAC) at #2 Northwestern (21-5, 15-5 GPAC), 3pm Live Video

Finals

March 2nd

League Notes:

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

KEY PLAYERS:

Alex Van Kalsbeek – Northwestern: 19.92ppg, 7.2rpg, 3.1apg

– 32pts, 6rebs, 5assts in quarterfinal win against Briar Clff.

Mason Walters – Jamestown 21.4ppg, 12.12rpg

– 23pts, 11rebs in quarterfinal win against Dordt.

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!

#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.

UPSET SPECIAL:

#5 Concordia – Eliminated

Semifinal Game Notes:

#8 Mount Marty (10-16, 9-11 GPAC at #4 Dakota Wesleyan (19-7, 14-6 GPAC), 3pm Live Video

DWU 2-0

This Mount Marty team is coming off of maybe the biggest upset of any Conference Tournament yet. Going to Morningside and walking away winners. This team has been a real thorn in the sides of teams in the GPAC Tournament the past two seasons. They will look for another upset tonight as they travel to the Corn Palace and face a tough Dakota Wesleyan team.

#3 Jamestown (19-7, 14-6 GPAC) at #2 Northwestern (21-5, 15-5 GPAC), 3pm Live Video

Northwestern 2-0

This Northwestern team is red hot, winning 11 straight games. They have beaten Jamestown twice this season already. The two best big men in the GPAC go head to head in this one with Sophomore Mason Walters and Freshman Alex Van Kalsbeek. This is going to be one of the best games of the day!

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.

Best Opening Round Matchup: #3 Jamestown @ #2 Northwestern.

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.