Weekend picks: Jan. 26

At one point last weekend, I thought Matthew and I might finish perfect, but Saturday was cruel to those hopes. Instead, we finished a middling 4-3. On the year, I am 75-44-17 while Matthew is 74-45-17.

Friday-Saturday, Jan. 26-27

Miami at Colorado College
Candace: Both of these teams have been struggling of late and could use some positive results. Of course, that means a split is likely. Miami 3-2, Colorado College 3-2
Matthew: With a brutal remaining schedule, Miami needs to get results this weekend. I don’t think a road sweep is likely, though. Miami 5-2, Colorado College 4-3

No. 5 St. Cloud State at No. 9 Minnesota Duluth
Candace: Duluth has been the hottest team in the country of late. St. Cloud has been struggling to find its first-half form. I’m not sure of this, but I think I’ll pick Duluth to sweep and hope I get one win right. Minnesota Duluth 4-2, 3-2
Matthew: SCSU has lost two of its last three, but I’m not particularly worried about the Huskies and I think they’ll get something here. St. Cloud State 3-1, Minnesota Duluth 3-2

No. 4 Denver at No. 11 North Dakota
Candace: These two split in Denver back in November, and that result seems likely again. Denver 3-2, North Dakota 2-1
Matthew: UND will look to bounce back after getting swept last weekend at UMD, but I think Denver will end up salvaging a 2-2 split for the teams’ season series. Denver 3-2, North Dakota 3-2

No. 12 Western Michigan at No. 19 Omaha
Candace: Omaha looked porous last weekend, but Western wasn’t much better. Western swept this series at home back in November. However, Western is not a good road team; the Broncos are 3-6 on the year, though admittedly 2-1 on the road in the second half. Still, it’s likely a split, but who knows which night. Omaha 5-4, Western Michigan 4-3
Matthew: Omaha’s team defense has been an issue all year, but I look at this series slightly different now with the news that Western’s top scorer, Wade Allison, is out for the season. Split. Omaha 4-3, Western Michigan 3-2