WBB: Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference

[WLCALUM83]

This poster seconds that!

Win today, and at least take the trophy home! Bid or no bid, regardless of today's result, your record is nothing to sneeze at!

[WLCALUM83]

Falcons win!

Falcons win!

Falcons win!

Final was 65-50. (Second half neither team was able to generate that much offensively. Eagles cut it down to 11, but had several more turnovers. Both teams had a lot of 2nd half turnovers. Again, Concordia was able to draw fouls and hit their free-throws.)

They did what they had to do. Now it's time to play the waiting game.

[WLCALUM83]

Concordia-WI gets in as a Pool B!!!

[cuw10]

Concordia should be set with a match-up against Carrol College

[WLCALUM83]

Biggest thing in your favor was all 3 Falcon losses occurred relatively early in the season. To this point, the Falcons have been the most consistent team in the NAthCon and their bench players have been giving them good production. As long as they continue to crash the boards (and especially if they hit their 3's) they've got a chance to make some noise.

[Northern_Explorer]

Maybe the NAC should try to stay as "independent" - darn near got two teams in Pool B, while there would have been NO chance for a 2nd spot in Pool C.  Concordia gets a tough draw at Luther.  Carroll also has it all to do against a very good Illinois Wesleyan team. 

[WLCALUM83]

At first glance, Luther's A TeKippe may give the Falcons fits with her height advantage:

The link to Luther's stats is:

http://sports.luther.edu/stats/women/basketball/2006-07/TEAMCUME.HTM

[Illinihoops4]

I saw Luther play twice this season and the Falcons may have their hands full. Luther is solid in the post and Guaard(sp?) is as good as they come. They've gotten good play from their bench and it should be a great game. It's nice to see Coach H back in the NCAA's.

The other match-up will be interesting as well. IWU has been without leading scorer Heydorn who has a broken thumb. Carroll has tournament experience and a 6'2 post. 6'2 is nothing new in the CCIW, but they have the guard to go with it in Hoewisch. Gotta pull for IWU in this one.

[cuw10]

height doesnt mean anything. the falcons have 7 players that can score in the double digits on any given night. Plus they have that smothering defense that causes lots of problems for opponents. It will be a very good game, keep in mind that neither team really has any game experience at the NCAA tournament level. Luther has not been there in a while, only once since 1999. I am definetly excited for it.

By the way, I don't think that the NAC was clost to getting two teams into the National Tournament. Maybe if someone was able to give the Falcons a run for their money.

[WLCALUM83]

Took a closer look at Luther's and CUW's statistics. In terms of rebounding and points scored/given up, the teams appear to be evenly matched. (BTW, last Women's ranking poll I saw had Luther at #25 nationally--the feather in Concordia's cap would be a bit larger should the Falcons get the win.)

BTW, both teams are going in there with a big winning run. Luther's last loss per their own schedule was during the first week of January against Loras. Somethin's gotta give.

[Illinihoops4]

While both teams are coming into the tournament on a winning streak- a major confidence builder- look at the schedules. I would have to think that Luther's schedule has preprared them for this match-up more so than the NAC conference schedule.  Perhaps one of the downfalls of a "super conference" without divisions. While all wins are in-region wins- they aren't against top calibur teams. As far as stats go, it's different when you aren't playing against the Simpson's, and BV's.

While CUW may have 7 players that can score in double figures on any given night- so does Luther. Height does play a factor, especially on the defensive side of things. CUW has a slew of physical players in the post, so hopefully they'll use that to their advantage. I still think it's going to be a great game. I'm making the drive- weather permitting.

[cuw10]

I would totally agree on the strength of schedule. Luther has been playing teams that will prepare them for tournament play, whereas Concordia lacked that kind of opposition in the NAC, and they certainly didn't line up sizeable non-conference foes.

As for match-ups, Concordia needs to pound the ball inside and get Luther in foul trouble. But I still agree with the scoring depth that Luther can put up, I haven't gotten to watch Luther tape, but on paper, they really only have 3 maybe four stand-out scorers. They also don't shoot the three ball all that well. So I don't know what you know.

All I know is that Luther has the experience against tough opponents, something the Falcons may lack, but there will be a lot of good match-ups.

Anyways. tune in to the broadcast if you cannot be there

http://www.cuw.edu/Athletics/broadcasts/scoreboards.html

and then click on basketball.

[WLCALUM83]

Congratulations to all players who received NAthCon All-Conference Awards!

http://northernathleticsconf.com/sports/basketball_women/all-conference:

Can't argue with the selections.

The way WLC's Lauren Lanza was playing and shooting before she got hurt, I wonder how close she would have come to "Honorable Mention" had she not gotten hurt and missed the last several weeks of the season.

Will give Edgewood Coach Neils another shout-out. Given the lack of depth her squad (when compared to CUW and Lakeland, for example), she did a good job. 

Kami Ten Pas, you will be missed.

[WLCALUM83]

Final in first game:  Carroll 86, IL Wesleyan 59.

[WLCALUM83]

Concordia-WI vs. Luther, IA on deck: