3 games in really 48 hours or less is tough on any team.  I agree, dballa, that from what I have seen HPU and HSU have the most depth and that should be very beneficial this weekend.  We will all see shortly!!

Calhsu:

Thank you for being an HPU apologist.  I agree that MCM is not as good as last year despite their record, and their win over HPU. Yes, we lost to them in Abilene but we have led them 70+ of the 80 minutes so far.

Also, I do not think the margin of victory is necesarily the only answer.  That is just as true now as it was earlier when HPU had MUCH larger margins against MANY teams.

As I have said several times earlier, and having seen all 4 top West teams in person 2 to 7 times each, there is no question in my mind that the strength of teams right now is HPU-1, HSU-2, MCM-3 and UMHB-4.

I am much more worried about beating a quality team like HSU 3 times in a few weeks than any worry about margins of victory.  That will definitely be a tough semi game for HPU.  I certainly would not complain if somehow MC could upset HSU in the first round.  Quite unlikely, but you can hope.

Playing at home should certainly help, especially if HPU can get some big crowds out, but in one game anything can happen at least among the top 4-5 teams in Brownwood.

GO LADY JACKETS!!

Dark Knight:

As an HPU fan who has seen our team numerous times in person this year(6 or 7)  and listened to many others on the internet and read everything I can, I think I can answer your question.

1.  We are very very good and I believe are capable of beating anyone.

2. I am not sure Massey automatically equates to the "best " team.

3. The national rep of the ASC still has a ways to go, but the Final Four by Hardin-Simmons last year surely helps. Our HPU team last year was very comparable to that Final Four team of HSU and we are significantly better this year(all 5 starters back, point guard back who was hurt in conf. tourney and did not play in last loss to HSU in 2nd round, 1-2 against HSU last year--all close games).

4.  We have better shooting, better balance, better rebounding, better depth this year, but I think the national reputation takes years to develop and we are still getting there.

5. Believe me, every HPU fan is pretty excited about #3 and we are  looking forward to the playoffs to see what we can do. Of course, we most likely will  have to play our top 25 conference opponents HSU or McMurry to get past the second round.  It would be nice to start off without facing a top 10 or 15 opponent but I doubt if the NCAA wiil cooperate with our outpost in Texas  getting to see anyone else!!

6.  The conference tourney and ncaa tourney should be fun to watch!!

I agree mcmfan.  Being an HPU big fan and alum, and living in salado--near UMHB-- I have seen 3 of the 4 HPU/MCM/HSU games in person.  I did not see either HSU/MCM game. I have also seen ALL  4 UMHB games to date against the big three.  I know HSU is very capable.  In fact, in my humble opinion, if I had to rank the teams  it would be HPU--1, HSU--2 and MCM--3.  I know the head -to-head results say otherwise, but that is my judgment.

I agree that HSU should get in and certainly deserves to get in, but that first regional ranking was not helpful.  I think our big conference can hurt us with the QOWI. Congrats to all 3 ASC teams and their rankings this week--especially our #3 HPU team! The ASC is certainly getting plenty of respect from the pollsters.  I believe we all can thank  HSU and their Final Four run  last year for a lot of that!!

Also congrats to UMHB for cracking into the top 25!! I have not listened to Coach Deweese yet but I am pleased to hear that he talked up our entire conference--especially our HPU Yellow Jackets.  What a tough year for HPU.  I have seen 6-8 men's games this year and they have ALL been 5-8-10 POINT LOSSES.  Hardly any blowouts the whole year. We are not that far behind the top teams, although it certainly does not show in the record.  As an HPU grad with a UMHB daughter, I guess I will yell for the UMHB guys and my HPU girls against you Abilene people these next couple of weeks.  I guess I really look  and sound like a frontrunner!!!

Thanks matalk. Yeah, everyone forgot you still have to play the games.  Of course anybody  with half a brain knows how basketball works. You win on the court not here.  Sorry good sportsmanship gags you.  I am also sorry being excited about success equates  to a "big head."   I do not agree. I am not a big fan of blowhards in real life or  on message boards.

Pat and Ralph:

Thanks for your answer  to my question about the ncaa top 25  "poll" on their website.  That is still funny and sad at the same time to me.  How can you goof that up?

Could someone please explain to me why the d3hoops poll  is listed  on the ncaa website as the wbca/usatoday poll?  I was looking for the regional rankings on WED. when they came out and was upset when I saw the top 25 poll there  showed that our HPU team was #5 rather than #4 as we are on the wbca this week.  I quickly realized, however, they used the wrong(but usually right!!) poll.  I agree that d3hoops is normally much more accurate--but I will take #4!!  WHY DOES THE NCAA USE YOUR POLL, PAT, BUT MISLABEL IT?

Wow, as an HPU grad and fan, I am absolutely overwhelmed by all this positive press.  Thanks also for the kind words from our ASC brethren!!  I also was at the HPU game last night, thundercat, and I concur with your analysis of that game and especially of the play of Molly Buker.  Obviously we have a very talented team this year but I am just thrilled with the attention to our team and our school!!

As an HPU fan, I am obviously thrilled for our team to be ranked #4 in the wbca poll and #5 in the "real" poll.  I do agree, Pat, that 10 voters is not nearly enough, especially with the regional concentration it has; HOWEVER, I am still surprised but pleased with that #4!!

The week 10 top 25 poll is now out. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE HPU LADY JACKETS!!  #5 this week--up 1 slot.   HSU remained at #16 and MCM only dropped 1 slot to#13.  I am really pleased to see our ASC teams continue to get plenty of respect nationally.  MCMURRY is the highest ranked 3 loss team, and HSU is the second highest ranked 4 loss team--only UW-Stout is higher.


What a great win for HPU on Saturday!  I tend to agree with an earlier post--it may be that HPU has stepped it up a notch or two rather than HSU or MCM falling back.  Of course, there is still much basketball to be played.  I certainly never thought I would see a day where Meia D. would go scoreless against a top opponent and HPU would still win in as convincing a fashion.  The top 9 players at HPU in my opinion all bring a lot to the table--none of them are just  burning minutes until a starter can come back. I certainly hope we can continue this incredible momentum--no letdowns!!  It would be natural and even understandable after 2 emotional weeks against top teams, but this week brings 2 capable teams--so we need to stay after CUA and UMHB!!

I will put in my 2 cents worth  also--I was at Kimbrell on saturday.  As an HPU fan, that was a tough loss.  I don't mind losing, but when you are up 15 in the first half and still double digits or close to it  for much of the second--that hurts. As an admittedly biased observer, the charging call on Meia which I believe was either right before or right after the 3 free throws by Nelson really hurt.  I told my wife--that's the game--and unfortunately I was right.  Of course. both our offense and defense in the last 4-5 minutes was the difference.  We did not get it done in that crunch time.  Nelson's shooting was also huge. Also, for HPU to be as great as all of us HPU fans think, we still need Meia to score 15-20 in all these big games.  She certainly never got  untracked to any great degree. I am sure  the MCM defense had something to do with that, but I am not sure all. With the improvement and additions with our other players--we will be tough to handle if she can produce her standard 20 or so.

Oh well, we were the last undefeated team of 400, but it lasted less than one day!!  If we can  regroup, and survive this week, Saturday will be(mainly) forgotten.

cuafan: I believe every team in the west has now played its 2 games against its "partner"--HSU/MCM, HPU/Sul Ross,etc., except CUA and UMHB  who still have both games to play on the next 2 Tuesday nights.  Beat UMHB twice and you help yourself and almost everyone else except UMHB!!

MCMFAN:  With last year's success in the tournament by HSU,  if all 3 continue to win the games they should, I would expect HPU, HSU and MCM would all get in, regardless of the conference tourney result( unless someone else--ETBU??won it)  I am not an expert on the NCAA crititeria as others are, but surely  that would happen.  By the way. GREAT  win last night by the Lady Jackets!! I still do not necessarily expect them to win all 4 of  these games, but what a great start.  Having seen all 3 teams play, I believe if HPU plays its best they  are very tough to beat for a lot of reasons.  Another big game Saturday at Kimbrell!! I hope to be there.