MBB: Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[OxyBob]

Oxy @ Whittier
Big game for both teams. For Whittier need the win to stay in contention for the top SCIAC seed. Oxy needs this to continue keeping pressure on the top-4.

Oxy's dimming playoff hopes got even dimmer, as the Tigers lost to Whittier, 78-73. WC: Menez 21, Easterman 19, Johnson 12, Preer 10. OC: Hanley 27 (10-14 FG, 4-5 3FG, 3-4 FT), Montoya 18, McCoy 10.

To make the 4-team conference tournament, the Tigers (5-6 SCIAC) must win their last three games against Pomona, Claremont, and CLU, and either Redlands (6-5) must lose 2 of its last 3 games, or Pomona (8-3) must lose its last three games. Oxy has Pomona next at Rains Center. The Tigers beat the Sagehens 64-56 on Jan. 28.

Other scores from last night:

Claremont 75, Redlands 65
Pomona 74, La Verne 63
Cal Lutheran 54, Caltech 49

Wednesday's schedule:

Claremont (21-1, 10-1) @ Cal Lutheran (9-12, 5-6)
Redlands (11-11, 6-5) @ La Verne (5-17, 2-9)
Oxy (9-12, 5-6) @ Pomona (13-8, 8-3)
Whittier (16-6, 8-3) @ Caltech (5-17, 0-11)

OxyBob

[BBallJunkie81]

Claremont (21-1, 10-1) @ Cal Lutheran (9-12, 5-6)

CLU had a subpar game against Caltech, but probably had their best two games against La Verne and Pomona.  Van Klaveren should be in the running for conference MVP leading the league with 11.5 rpg and 5th in scoring at 16.3 ppg.  Beating CMS will be a tough task, he'll need plenty of help from Nettles and Harris.  CMS is on a roll and I don't see anybody who will stop them.  I would be surprised if Blees, Maceira, Gaffaney, and company don't run the table through the SCIAC playoffs.  CLU will put up a good fight, but CMS is too strong and will prevail.

CMS 73 CLU 59


Redlands (11-11, 6-5) @ La Verne (5-17, 2-9)

IMO, Redlands has been a slight disappointment this year.  At the beginning of the season, I thought they were going to be the strongest challenger to CMS. They are coming off three straight tough losses to Pomona, Whittier and CMS.  They should regroup and win out although I wouldn't take La Verne or CLU lightly; both have what it takes to pull off an upset.  Woodland and Napolitano will have to step up and get some help if they are to pull this one off.  Redlands has to win out and hope Pomona struggles to avoid being the 4th seed who'll play CMS in first playoff game.

Redlands 70 La Verne 64


Oxy (9-12, 5-6) @ Pomona (13-8, 8-3)

Best game of the night.  Oxy has 4 strong players in McCoy, Hanley, Liebowitz and Montoya.  I expected Oxy to be one of the top 4 teams this year.  Pomona has been a surprise.  They were not competitive last year, lost their top scorer, and here they are tied for second in the conference due to strong performances from freshman and sophomores.  Having said that, Pomona has been struggling ever since losing to Oxy in Pasadena.  Oxy dominated them with Hanley and McCoy.  If Pomona loses this one, they will probably lose out but still back into the playoffs due to Oxy and CLU losing to CMS.  Reward...first round loss to CMS.  I am not sure this is an upset given their first game, but I am going with Oxy on this one.

Oxy 66 Pomona 59


Whittier (16-6, 8-3) @ Caltech (5-17, 0-11)

Whittier is playing great basketball right now and licking their chops to get revenge on Pomona on Saturday.  Too much pace for CalTech as Whittier jumps out to a large lead and maintains it.

Whittier 91  CalTech 59

[OxyBob]

Having said that, Pomona has been struggling ever since losing to Oxy in Pasadena Eagle Rock.

Welcome to the board. Nice to see a new SCIAC poster.

OxyBob

[BBallJunkie81]

Thanks OxyBob, it has been an exciting season and I am hoping to see a bit more activity on this board.   I am curious as to how others who have watched these teams play see the last few games.  Does anybody think Oxy or CLU have a chance at the playoffs?  CMS had its problems with Whittier and needed a last second shot to beat Pomona.  Will CMS (or SCIAC winner) make any noise in the tournament?

[WoostAr]

Too much pace for CalTech as Whittier jumps out to a large lead and maintains it.

Whittier 91  CalTech 59

Where were you on this one OxyBob...it's Caltech

...nice having you BBallJunkie81....

I'm with you on your first two calls: CMS is in another class than CLU right now.  La Verne's games are always tight, but I think they'll come up short (again) against Redlands

....I think Pomona nips Oxy though. 

Caltech doesn't matchup well with Whittier....they can play with the slower paced teams (Pomona, Cal Lu, La Verne and Oxy)....they simply can't match Whittier's athleticism and tempo...will be surprised if this is close.

I also agree that Van Klaveren should be in the running for POY (he'd probably be my choice)...I think Woodland should receive some consideration as well (how does he hit so many contested fade-aways and make it look easy??...ridiculous!!).  My guess: neither will win the award though.  The SCIAC coaches seem to vote the best player from the team that wins the conference for POY.  Just look at last year...Mills won POY when Greg Grimm bested him in most statistical categories.

[WoostAr]

Does anybody think Oxy or CLU have a chance at the playoffs?  CMS had its problems with Whittier and needed a last second shot to beat Pomona.  Will CMS (or SCIAC winner) make any noise in the tournament?

Redlands is certainly doing their best to make the playoff race interesting.  Problem for CLU is they have some tough games left:  CMS, Redlands at home will also be tough, and beating Oxy at home is no sure thing (but this could be an interesting matchup if both teams win the next two and Redlands loses a couple).  Redlands has an easier schedule: they should be able to beat both La Verne and Caltech which will probably be enough to get into the playoffs over CLU.

For Oxy -- See OxyBob's past analysis for detail -- tough schedule coming in...PP and CMS tough games and if they win both, they gotta beat CLU and hope for Redlands losses.

I'd love to see a third Whittier/Claremont matchup...If Whittier wins a third matchup it might be the best possible outcome for the SCIAC assuming that CMS gets a bid to the tourney also....unfortunately, that might mean a 4th Claremont/Whittier matchup since (as I understand it -- correct me if I'm wrong) their proximity would dictate they play each other in the first round of the tourney?

[OxyBob]

Too much pace for CalTech as Whittier jumps out to a large lead and maintains it.

Whittier 91  CalTech 59

Where were you on this one OxyBob...it's Caltech

Geez, the guy's new. Cut the man some slack.

OxyBob

[etule]

Relands is a good team I think Oxy and Cal Lu are not making the playoffs. A Whittier CMS game would be awesome. It may happen!

I think CMS and a WW match up would be a great game. I think WW can be beat this year! They depend on the 3 ball a little to much and CMS has the muscle to handle them inside. I would take CMS in that game even in Spokane!

Oxy a little disappointing to me this year. I thought they would at least make the playoffs!

[WoostAr]

Oxy a little disappointing to me this year. I thought they would at least make the playoffs!

Agreed...after that Pepperdine game I had high expectations.

[OxyBob]

Oxy a little disappointing to me this year. I thought they would at least make the playoffs!

I agree that Oxy has not played to potential. Unfortunately, Oxy lost 3 players to attrition -- forwards Drew Dockweiler and JC transfer Jeremiah Slowik, and guard Eric Lieder -- all of whom would have played substantial minutes. Without Lieder, Oxy's guard play has been (how can I put this diplomatically?) not enough. A nagging injury to forward Ty Cobb hasn't helped either. Brian Newhall's had to work with a very short bench, and he's done about as well as can be expected. Not an excuse for Oxy's play, just an explanation.

That said, Oxy's not out of it yet!

OxyBob

[dahlby]

Geez, the guy's new. Cut the man some slack.

OxyBob
[/quote]

OxyBob, plus K to you. I am glad to see your other side!
Also, I don't count Oxy out. They have good coaching that is adjusting to what they have to work with.
It is good to see 3 teams fightiing for a playoff spot. It has been a crazy year in the SCIAC, but I still don't think there is enough respect from back east to get a Pool C bid. Unfortunately.

[WoostAr]

It has been a crazy year in the SCIAC, but I still don't think there is enough respect from back east to get a Pool C bid. Unfortunately.

I think CMS being included in the regional rankings and d3hoops top 25 demonstrates that there is some respect around the country...if CMS wins out the regular season but loses in the tourney it would be hard to exclude them.  But, unfortunately, I think that's the only way a SCIAC team gets a pool C bid.

Not an excuse for Oxy's play, just an explanation.

That said, Oxy's not out of it yet!

While we're explaining things...La Verne is REALLY missing Wolpe this season.

[(509)Rat]

So...Caltech...Massey has them at 323. Last time I checked that isn't where most "solid" teams land on that list. But I've never seen them play. Could breakfromcoaching please enlighten me?

[OxyBob]

While we're explaining things...La Verne is REALLY missing Wolpe this season.

Redlands is who really missed him.

So...Caltech...Massey has them at 323. Last time I checked that isn't where most "solid" teams land on that list. But I've never seen them play. Could breakfromcoaching please enlighten me?

Water can be solid. It can be liquid. It can also be just a bunch of hot air.

OxyBob

[breakfromcoaching]

Caltech is obviously not the same team they were earlier in the season.  They peaked early and just don't seem to have enough chemistry right now.  They do have some young talent in Bryan Joel and Andrew Houge, and if they can get a little depth with next year's recruiting class, they could surprise.