Brutal loss for the Logs on Friday night.  Second time this season they've blown a sizable lead in the 2nd half to LC.  Lunt played small-ball with Gittens, Yarbro, and Borboa combining for only 16 minutes.  The game plan worked like a charm but the Loggers' inexperience caught up with them a bit in the end and PJ Taylor made some big plays for the Pios. Nothin like an OT loss to toughen the skin of those youngsters though (I'm searching for a bright side!)

Made my way down to Newberg to catch the Logs get a win Saturday...always nice to end the season on a positive note...not to mention spoiling a senior night   

Can't believe LC didn't show up for their game at Willamette...probably cost them a shot at Whitworth. 

     

Quote from: etule on February 18, 2011, 01:44:09 PM
WW does play very good help defense. I think their defense is what makes them exceptional!

I concur. They've always had great help D and a commitment to rebounding.  You rarely get easy buckets vs the Bucs and that's a testament to Hayford as much as I hate saying it 

Quote from: playball on February 18, 2011, 04:25:28 PM
Otherwise, they are looking at a worse season next year than they had this year.

Don't think it can get much worse in the Grove than 3-20.  I think the biggest thing for that program, and more so than personnel right now, is establishing an identity.  They've never struck me as a program with a distinct identity and one that carries itself with a lot of pride.  Certainly another team in search of an identity right now is Willamette...always tough when a helluva coach like Gordie leaves the program.  Not sure what to think of what Ioane has done so far down in Salem...I think he's in a bit over his head IMO.  Hope that doesn't tick Bearcat Press off!   

Quote from: TryMeTeam on February 17, 2011, 04:29:46 PM
Playball is right, the lack of an established post presence will be their undoing. Put Montgomery on this team and I would feel different about their chances.

Agreed.  He was a handful, that's for sure.  Two things about all of those title contenders from the Midwest that I've observed over the years is their rebounding and the ability to defend the 3-ball....which does not bode well for WW in the national tourney.  I think Taylor's ability to attack the rim and make plays will be critical for them.  Another issue will be the front court strength and physicality that WW will face out there assuming they get past whatever SCIAC cupcake they get.  Riley has always been a defensive liability for them and will no doubt be exposed against the UWSP's of the world. You can get away with him playing the 4 in the NWC, but not on the national level. 

Quote from: TryMeTeam on February 17, 2011, 04:29:46 PM
But getting two teams in does no good as they will be matched up early and one would be eliminated as it past years.  That is a real shame.  The big 3's last year at UPS, had the two teams been split up in the bracket, we would have seen how tough the NWC is as both would have gone a couple to more rounds into the tourny.  But it is too much about money. 

Shame indeed.  Also a tough break that the Logs had to face #1 St.Thomas in the Sweet 16...but oh well.  The best team finds a way to the title.  No excuses!

Quote from: playball on February 17, 2011, 02:56:41 PM
And with Whitworth being so guard oriented, more so than last year, the UPS press would be broken which leads to easy baskets.

The Loggers pressed considerably less that year than they had in the past...and while the Gebbers are high IQ guys and good shooters, they're not exactly lightning-quick "press busters." 

Quote from: playball on February 17, 2011, 02:56:41 PM
  The 08-09 UPS team was not as good defensively in the half court which this Whitworth team would exploit.

That is highly inaccurate. They led the conference in scoring defense (65.0ppg), were 2nd in FG defense (40.9%), and 1st in 3FG defense (28.6%). 

Agree to disagree I guess...That Logger squad would be too athletic for this year's Bucs to handle IMO.  Boy I'd love to see that match-up...maybe one day when they're all washed up they'll meet at a park or something 

Quote from: playball on February 17, 2011, 11:28:18 AM
a press doesn't work on good players

So...you're saying Whitworth didn't have good players a couple years ago when UPS ran the table?  Interesting. 

The only reason I bring this up is in response to bbaddict saying this Whitworth team is the best NWC squad in years...I gotta disagree there.  It's not me being a homer, and I DO think this Pirates team is very very good and obviously well-coached.  I just do not see them being able to match up well with 08-09 Loggers. Would Felix really be able to defend Foster on the perimeter for example?  I know they can shoot the hell out of the ball but without a Nakamura/Symes type player that's constantly attacking the teeth of the D, I think that the 08-09 Logs would have the slight edge...not to mention that the conference as a whole is undoubtedly down from where it was a couple years ago.  But hopefully it's back on the rise! 

Good luck to all tomorrow night....I'll be in P-town rooting on my Loggers.  Gotta finish strong! 

   

Quote from: (509)Rat on February 15, 2011, 11:23:01 AM
Love the drive-by by the old logger fans who don't post anymore...

You've been posting on the site for two whole months...us Loggers don't need useless drivel on a chat board to stay engaged in our program.

Quote from: (509)Rat on February 14, 2011, 06:38:06 PM
Don't worry Dre, I'd be pissed too if Bridgeland left and my team was stuck with Lunt.

Not the case in Tacoma at all. 

Quote from: (509)Rat on February 15, 2011, 11:23:01 AM
I've seen plenty of Whitworth vs. Bridgland games and I don't think I've ever seen Whitworth have trouble with the pressure. Even when he had talented players at UPS, B. Williams made it look easy.

Interesting viewpoint considering Whitworth averaged 20.8 turnovers per game vs UPS in '06 and '07 during Williams' junior and senior seasons. B Williams averaged 6.2 TO in those 5 contests.  Not exactly "making it look easy."

Quote from: (509)Rat on January 10, 2011, 05:42:31 PM
I don't have anything against UPS, but I remember seeing Bridgeland coached teams and being more impressed. And don't bring up 08-09 when Lunt had a good season with all of Bridgeland's recruits.

A good season?  They were only the first team in the current NWC to ever run the table...Lunt was the COY of a team that swept your Bucs in the regular season AND knocked you out of the Big Dance.  And by the way, both Antwan Williams and Rob Krauel were originally recruited by Lunt, not Bridgeland.

I don't mean to pick on you Rat, it just seemed that you needed some education. 

As for this weekend, I'm hopeful that the Loggers can snag these last two games and finish at a respectable 8-8.  Not bad for a young squad that was picked in the pre-season to finish 8th. LC presents some match-up problems as they always do but I think if our boys clean up the glass and contest the 3 well they'll be in good shape.  As for Fox, we beat 'em at home so I'm sure they'll be ready...not to mention playing for their seniors.  Tough but exciting weekend ahead.