Big Time Inter-region Showdown, #6 Warrios vs. #10 Trojans

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My vacation destination for tonight, watching great DI Juco Basketball from one of all time great home court advantage facilities in the country, the Hellyer Center at IHCC in Ottumwa, IA.

#10 Triton College (24-3), winners of eleven straight, will challenge that distinction against #6 Indian Hills (24-5), carrying their own ten game win streak.

What will give? Who will give? Who will give What?

Triton, under first year Head Coach John Clancy, will get their first taste of this new rivalry at, seriously, one of the toughest places to get a road W in basketball. Coach Hank Plona, in his seventh season guiding the Warriors, has been winning at a clip of about 88% since taking over at IHCC. Well over 90% at home.

But Indian Hills has uncharacteristically struggled at home this year, posting a 12-4 mark. At the same time, Triton is 10-0 in true road games. I’m having an anxiety attack just talking about this.

Both teams are proven fighters (duh, look at their nicknames). Look for another knock-down drag out national tourney type game. Although both teams are capable of lighting it up.

IHCC has scored at a pace of 83 ppg during Plona’s tenure. However, this season, the Warriors mentor has added a slightly new wrinkle to The Hills arsenal. Yes, it’s true, IHCC is finding different ways to beat you this year…..guarding you hard. And for what its worth, it’s paid off several times this year.

Triton is finding their way the hoop for an average of 90 points a game this year. But they are more than capable of getting in your grill and making life tough on their opponents as well.

And furthermore, the part I like best. Both teams have outstanding young coaches, who I selfishly hope stay in Juco for a long, long, time.

Watch the game live on GoHillsTV, or catch my live updates court side @JucoHoopScoop on Twitter.

Game time is 7:00 CST. I can’t think of a better place I’d rather be!! ❤️ Well except at Hutch, but I’ve got a few weeks to wait before that. ❤️😎 “Let’s get this party star-ar-ar-ted!!” Whoop whoop, hoop hoop!!

Who knows, maybe I will get to see these two at the Sports Arena in mid March. It certainly wouldn’t surprise me. They both have strong teams with strong resumes. That’s a good combination. But this year more than ever, many teams have that going for them.

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