..and by the way, as long as we're criticizing....that's "don't hold your breath," not "don't hold your breathe." 

Yes, I meant non-conference period.  Thanks for the correction.  There was no complaint about an east coast bias in my comment. Still, I think that the record will show that the NWC is pretty darn good. George Fox was one devastating leg injury to a key post from winning two titles.  There were several Loggers teams in the late Barcomb years that might not have been as good as Fox, but they were very close. In a different seeding system that would have been evident.  Old complaint.  No complaint. Economic realities. I ask without knowing--do things work the same in the east, where travel distances are often a big shorter?

Thanks, mkt--at least I'm not talking to myself!  I have seen the Loggers a number of times and have been wathicn them for many years.  They're good.  Coach Payne's attitude seems exactly right for DIII, and it shows. At one point during the tight game at Walla Walla, Noren threw up an airball on a free throw.  The frosh point guard Malvar approached her, put her arm around her, and pointed...the basket is over there.  Laughs all around.  Watch the huddles.  Tight game, no problem.  They are enjoying the ride, perfect for the DIII experience.

I am interested to see Puget Sound and Whitman this weekend.  The game in Walla Walla was terrific, and I don't see any reason to think that this one won't be as tight.  As things go in the NCAAs, Puget Sound will likely have to beat either GFU or Whitman what, four times to move on and up in the tournament?  Tough duty from a strong league.  Given the recent history of the NWC (GFU to the finals twice, Whitman once) it would be a blast to see them line up against the northeast teams that seem to dominate the d3hoops ratings.  I wonder if some d3 entrepreneur could arrange for a meeting in the preseason period?

I guess I'm chirping to myself here, but the top 3 in the NWC this year are very good, and Puget Sound is terrific. 

The future is incredibly bright.  The point guard #3 Malvar is a frosh and carries herself like a senior. Jackson is a sophomore, and she's a menace at 5' 4".  She just put 37 on Linfield this weekend. Prewitt is also sophomore and she, too, is a top player in the conference.  The post Lange is leading the NWC in points and rebounds per minute, basically all-league performance (in 20 minutes a game) as a frosh. There's a 6'3" frosh post on the bench who looks to have athleticism and skills, and the junior Fitzgerald is a solid NWC frontcourt player.  I thought that the Puget Sound team was just physically stronger than Fox in the frontcourt.  The only senior on the Logger roster playing significant time is Noren.  She's an excellent defender, a thief in the night and a high-level athlete and the heart of the team. But it looks like Puget Sound is going to be a power for a few years.  It's fun to watch a great coach find a recipe for success in a really strong league. 

Well, not an issue in 2016-17.   

I have lurked on this list for a long time and it looks like it's dying, so I thought I'd contribute.  I have been watching Puget Sound basketball and the NWC for years.  This year's Puget Sound team looks ok.  They are strong in the backcourt, and I suspect that they will hang with Whitman better than they have in several years.  They have a fine three (really four) guard attack, with skilled handlers and shooters on the floor all the time.  I watched a good portion of the game against St. Thomas, and they held up well until their front line was depleted by foul trouble/fouling out. By the numbers UPS has been ok up front, with an all hands on deck approach to rebounding.  But I think the Loggers lack the strength and size in the front line to compete with the top teams in the league unless those guards are shooting out of their minds. That means Whitworth.  I would be surprised if this UPS team doesn't make the league tournament.  The guards are good players and the front line guys are game. But the lack of size and strength up front will limit what they can achieve.