WBB: American Southwest Conference

[Rob Don]

This seems to be the common "we don't get no respect" refrain from some HPU fans.

You are currently ranked #11!

That is based on an improvement from #22 at the end of the 2006 season,

WOW!  I am going to agree with Ralph Turner for once!  Everyone knows that I am hardcore HPU, but i think that rankings are appropriate.  The teams that are presently in the Top ten are not only quality and deserving but they are proven as well.  When HPU takes down McM and HSU then the rankings will most definatly be shaken up.  Until then HPU will likely float around its present location.  Which as Ralph pointed out...is nothing to be ashamed of.  To be ranked the 11th best team in the nation, I'll take it! 

Lets all remember that You and I tend to worry more about rankings than do the players!  All of our girls have one focus...to play hard, win as many games as they can, and get to that tourney...where anything can happen!

I do look forward to the next semester of games, trashtalk, and arguing over rankings! 

O and i can't wait to see HPU in the Final Four!!!  8)

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

[Ralph Turner]

Rob Don, I am glad that you and I agree about that set of facts.

I also think that any close games that we play in the West among the three ranked teams will not measureably impact that #9 to #18 range.

For an ASC team to break any higher, I think that we need a National Title or finals appearance, or a major collapse by one of the higher ranked teams.  (I don't think that we will see that now, 8-10 games into the season.)  I think that the quality of talent in Women's D3 is not as homogenous as in Men's D1 (with which we are more familiar, and where a Missouri Valley #3 can play with a Big Ten #3).

Those programs that have been at the top (and in HSU's case near the top and currently at the edge) seem to stay in that range.

I want our standard bearer to go to the Final Four again, and win it this time.  We can debate the color of the jersey for now, but we get some great basketball in the next 2 months!

[calhsu]

HPU needs to give it a rest.  When they win 3 or 4 of their back to back with HSU and MCM then they can rightfully expect more respect and the higher rating.   

During the next eight weeks there will be plenty of chances going higher in the polls.   I've already gone on record to say that HPU would be in the top ten and undefeated when the come to Abliene.   Relax,  2007 will be interesting.  I predict the top three will exchange wins and loses.   Anyone who can tell me that their team  will run the table in conference is dreaming.

[CUAfan]

Who cares about the rankings. So long as they make the Dance, that's all that matters. Once you get there, anything can happen (witness George Mason). Since HPU is ranked #11 (or whatever) now, I'd say that the ASC has a pretty good shot at getting three squads in the Dance, which carries a certain prestige all its own.

How abnormal is it for a single conference (much less one division within a conference) to have three top 15 teams anyway? That can't be a normal occurence.

[Ralph Turner]

CUAfan, I reviewed the Top 25's of the last 3 seasons in week 4.  We can see a pattern of the strong conferences emerging.

2005:

Three in Top 16:
UAA: Brandeis, Wash StL, NYU
Two in Top 10:
Ohio AC:  BWC and Capital
Two in Top 15:
CCIW:  Wheaton IL amd Millikin
Two in Top17: 
Mich IAA:  Calvin and Hope
Two in Top 18:
MAC Commonwealth:  Messiah and Moravian

2004: 

Four in Top 14:
UAA:  NYU, Rochester, Brandeis, Wash StL
Two in Top 9:
SCAC:  DePauw and Trinity
Two in the Top 13:
OAC:  Capital and Wilmington
Two in the Top 16:
NESCAC:  Bases and Bowdoin (a real rivalry among the women).

2003:

Three in the Top 15:
WIAC:  UW_ Eau Claire, Stevens Point and Oshkosh
Two in the Top 8:
Little East Conference: Southern Maine and E Conn St
Two in the Top 9:
UAA:   Rochester and Wash StL
Two in the Top 19:
Minn IAC: Gustavus Adolphus and St Benedict

As an ASC West fan, I think that we need McMurry or HPU to win a Final four game to help the conference's image.  HSU has done a good job.  They are a known commodity, but a Championship by McM or HPU (IMHO) would establish the ASC as an elite conference.

Merry Christmas, CUA fan and to all!

[gccfan]

Dballa and everyone else.  I'm down at the South Padre women's tournament.  Both LeTourneau and Howard Payne are here.  I don't think the games will be available to listen to as LETU uses Chitsports and they only cover conference games so I think we'll have to wait until afterwards.  I will post scores for both schools.  Messiah is also here, unfortunately they will not play HPU... it would have been nice to see #10 play #11.  Oh well

[Ralph Turner]

#9 McM and #20 UW-Stout.  The game should be on Southwestern's "Game tracker".

I will try to post updates and encourage anyone who can!

[dballa]

gccfan, that definitely would have been a much better matchup with Messiah and HPU.  We'll definitely be looking forward to your reports from the games.  How's the weather down there by the way?

[gccfan]

Weather is nice, but pretty windy... I'm still hoping to squeeze a round of golf in though

[Sarranman84]

Im with GCCfan here down in Padre. Our ladies were called midgets when they walked in the building today for practice. It was kinda funny and true since they are very tiny but i think they will play well down here.  Im expecting their season to turn around after New Years bc I hear they may be getting a post player transfer who sounds like she  is pretty good.  Should help the LU rebounding problems.

[WLCALUM83]

Halftime:  UW-Stout 38, McMurry 32. (The stats say the Texas squad's been out-played all around, but they''re still hanging around. At one point, Stout was shooting 67% from the floor. Still plenty of time.

[Ralph Turner]

I just logged on.

Let's look at the stats.

[Ralph Turner]

For UW-Stout, Duoss is guarding Richardson, but the problem that we seem to be having is with McDermid.  The 2 tall posts are giving us problems.

McMurry point guard Symbri Tuttle has 4 assists and no turnovers against the Stout defense.

McMurry needs outside production to counteract the inside game.

We also need to hit the free throws.  We will have our conditioning tested with Stout using 11 players in the first half.

[Ralph Turner]

UWS 41, McM 32 17:01.

[Ralph Turner]

McM Tarra Richardson has blocked 2 UWS shots and added a lay-up.  UWS 41-38. 15:15.

UWS calls time out.