Brandon Schneider’s theory was that if he set up a difficult schedule in the early season, his team would be well-prepared in the postseason.
The Emporia State coach is about to find out if he was right.
“I sure hope it does (help),” Schneider said. “Otherwise I look pretty foolish.”
The move has looked wise so far, as ESU has played its best basketball as of late, winning its last four games by an average of 20 points.
The first postseason test will come Friday, though, as the No. 3-seeded ESU women take on No. 6-seeded Central Missouri in the opening round of the MIAA Tournament.
Tipoff is set for 8:15 p.m. at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.
“If being battle-tested is something that’s good for you in March, then obviously we think it will pay dividends,” Schneider said.
In December, ESU went on the road to face both Metro State and Regis, then followed that by playing No. 3 Grand Valley State in Highland Heights, Ky.
Though the Lady Hornets had four losses by the end of January, they now believe they have come out of it stronger because of the challenging slate.
“I think that’s why you schedule games in the preseason and work so hard in the preseason,” ESU junior Michelle Stueve said, “so when the postseason gets here you can really shine and be confident.”
ESU will face a familiar foe in Central, as the two teams will play for the third time in the last 19 days.
The Lady Hornets lost the first matchup, 65-59, before redeeming themselves nine days later in a 106-62 rout at White Auditorium on Feb. 19.
“We really put it on them here (in Emporia), but at their place it was a different story,” Stueve said. “We by no means can look at it like it’s going to be a blowout just because we beat them. They’re going to be hyped up and be ready to beat us for the way we put them away last time.”
Central presents some problems for ESU with its guard-oriented roster. The Jennies oftentimes play four guards, which forces the Lady Hornets to have one or two forwards defend smaller and quicker players.
“They are kind of scary, just because when they click on all cylinders, they’re tough to beat,” Stueve said. “Obviously, they’re lineup’s a little different for us.”
Central has struggled as of late away from its home arena. The Jennies have lost their last nine games outside of the UCM Multipurpose Building.
ESU also might catch a break this time around, as UCM’s leading scorer, Lindsey Maple, was held out of her team’s last game against Washburn with a foot injury.
Maple scored 18 points in Central’s first game against ESU.
The Lady Hornets are 3-1 against the Jennies in the MIAA Tournament, with the one loss a 63-60 setback in last year’s semifinals.
Schneider is 16-5 overall in the conference tournament.
The winner of Friday’s game will take on either Washburn or Southwest Baptist at 8:15 p.m. Saturday in the league semifinals.
ESU has advanced to the MIAA semifinals in each of the last 10 years.
Other games on Friday are: Missouri Western (1 seed) vs. Pittsburg State (8), noon; Northwest Missouri State (4) vs. Missouri Southern, 2:15 p.m.; and Washburn (2) vs. Southwest Baptist, 6:15 p.m.
ESU men set for
1st round tonight
Don’t forget the ESU men open up MIAA Tournament play at 8:15 tonight when the third-seeded Hornets take on the sixth seed, Truman, at Municipal Auditorium.
The Hornets are looking for just their second win ever in MIAA Tournament play.
Other games scheduled for today are: Northwest Missouri State (1 seed) vs. Missouri Southern (8), noon; Southwest Baptist (4) vs. Pittsburg State (5), 2:15 p.m.; and Central Missouri (2) vs. Fort Hays State (7), 6:15 p.m.