BUSY SEASON FOR NORTHERN MID-WEST
Marsh Diebold, Carleton College

The section immediately west of the Great Lakes is a
hot-bed of basketball with five strong collegiate conferences
operating in the territory. The Western Conference is represen-
ted by Minnesota; the North Central Conference by North Dakota
University, North Dakota State, South Dakota University, South
Dakota State, and Morningside; the Minnesota State College
Conference by Hamline, Gustavus, Macalester, Augsburg, St. Thomas,
St. Olaf, St.John’s, St. Mary's, and Concordia; the Wisconsin —
State Teachers Conference by Superior, River Falls, La Crosse,
Eau Clair, Stevensport, Platville, Whitewater, Milwaukee and
Stout Institutes; the Mid-West Conference by Beloit, Carleton,
Coe, Cornell, Knox, Lawrence, Monmouth, and Ripon.

Minnesota, with high morale following an exceptional
football season, expects to go places on the court this winter.
Coach Dave McMillan has his fine team from last year practically
intact together with some good sophomores battling for positions.
Gopher followers are certain that the squad will play an important
part in the Big Ten race,

In the North Central Conference the squad at North
Dakota U. coached by Clem Letich appears to be the bell cow, Last
year the team wn 16 and lost 2, and their failure to repeat would
be a considerable upset. North Dakota State, South Dakota U. and
Morningside will be strong contenders and either of the three may
click often enough to stop the long string of titles being built
up by Letich's teams,

Hamline University, ever-victorious for the last two
years in the Minnesota State College Conference, will have nine
lettermen back for the coming season. This record and prospects
have permitted the St. Paul school to arrange an attractive sched-
ule which includes Iowa, Minnesota, and Indiana of the Big Ten.
While favored strongly to repeat in its league race stiff opposition
is anticipated by Concordia, St. Olaf, St. Thomas, and Macalester.

Another spirited campaign is expected in the Wisconsin
State Teachers College Conference with Superior, River Falls, and
La Crosse considered the strongest teams in the eastern sector
while Milwaukee, Stevensport, and Whitewater look good in the
western part. Superior is honored with a place on Minnesota's
schedule with an early season game on Superior's court.

Competition in the Mid-West Conference should be keen
due to the desire of all members to keep Carleton from winning the
championship for the eighth consecutive year. Unusual strength at
Knox, Coe, Lawrence, and Beloit indicates a close race with some
hopes of lowering Carleton's standing. -