WBB: American Southwest Conference

[Ralph Turner]

HPU only scored 2 fastbreak points!   That bucket occurred with 4:40 left in the game. 


How many fans would have anticipated that one?

[fanstand]

I was surprised, but I warned ya. Too much final four talk. Gotta get through the brackets first. I still think the ASC has what it takes. We still have some great stuff to look forward to.

[Ralph Turner]

I  just watched the last minute of the HPU loss.  I know I am a hard line HSU fan but the loss brings me no joy.  I thought they would at least win a game.  Experience means something.  


...I hate to say this but I still think HSU would have gone somewhere this year,  but it doesn't matter they didn't earn it.   I am sad for the HPU ladies because they had a great year and have the talent to have gone farther.  But that is why they play it on the court.   The thing I really hate is that the people from UPS think the ASC is nothing.   I'm sure the classless coach from UPS will say something about how HPU didn't deserve their high ranking.  Even I think they did.

I want to be the first  to say this.  Next year should be very interesting,  the teams will all be totally different.

Calhsu, you mention several points.

Experience means something.

HPU had made the last 3 tourneys, losing at home to Trinity in 2005, beating Trinity in 2006, and then moving to the Sweet 16.  They had experience.

HSU has not made the NCAA's 2 of the last 3 years.  The Final Four helped, but you will have lost Sonya West from 2006 plus Walker, Steinberger, Hauk, Dennard, and Contrucci as well.  That is quite a loss of experience.

I hate to say this but I still think HSU would have gone somewhere this year,  but it doesn't matter they didn't earn it.

I wish that HSU had done it only once this year.  A win in Abilene or Brownwood in the regular season, and HSU earns an ASC-West tri-championship.  Defeating HPU in the tourney, and HSU likely earns a Pool A bid.

Any of those wins or a win over Southwestern and HSU makes it to the tourney and we see a different bracket.

The hope for us is that UPS beats Wash StL.  At least they meet ona  neutral floor.

[calhsu]

To set the historical record completely straight.  The year HSU got beat early they were 27-0  until they got beat by Trinity who as you remember went on to win the national championship.   I really don't think UPS is going to even beat Washington.
Washington has won the national championship more than once.  They have been down about four years but my bet is on them to be  in the national championship game.

If you want to find a silver lining for HPU may I suggest one that  may sound critical but actually I  have great respect for what they did this year.  For three years in a row HPU has gone to the big dance.  Granted they have only won one game but when your team has won two conference championships in three years there has to be a great deal of pride.  Out of the ashes of the playoff defeats the program can build with the ideal that we deserve to be here not just glad to be here.  Not just I hope we can win but I know we can win.  That is what HSU had and now has to share with two other schools.  
I know that the intense rivalry between the three schools has be good for the conference.  But most of the rest of the conference has a long way to go.  ( I will say that MHB,  MC, and ETB has had moments  but not one of them beat a top three school this year.)  The rest of the conference is really weak with a capital W.  Now it is better than when it was just HSU and the rest but to be a great conference the bottom can surprise the top on a given night.   Next year could be a year for that.   HSU has some good players returning but it will be a different team.   Right now it may come down to who can recruit the best freshman or  best transfer.

[WLCALUM83]

Washington-ST. Louis ends Puget Sound's run tonight, 57-48.

[calhsu]

I'm telling you don't be shocked if Washington wins it.

[fanstand]

HSU loses four starters next year, but has some experience from the bench returning, I don't know how long it will take for them to gel and fill the shoes of those who are leaving.  HPU loses two starters, their bench should be experienced to fill in. McM loses only one starter, but the shoes will be very hard to fill considering it's the "general" of the team.  Considering HPU will be starting 3 seniors next year, they should be the team to beat again. But, as I said two years ago, recruiting and the return of the players and what condition they come in makes a difference.  Until I see a name on the roster and a butt on the floor, you never know. It's a long spring and summer, I wouldn't put all my eggs in any one basket.

[Ralph Turner]

I'm telling you don't be shocked if Washington wins it.

I agree!  SCAC Champion Depauw is in the Final Four, too.

[Pat Coleman]

We may be headed for another disappointing All-Region season in the ASC. Ten ASC schools have yet to cast ballots.

An e-mail reminder was sent out this morning through the Division III SID e-mail list maintained by one of the member schools. I also sent an e-mail with details to the conference office this afternoon.

Deadline 10 a.m. CDT Tuesday.

[Ralph Turner]

Be sure to check to the front page for the All-Region teams.

Congratulations to all!

[inthepaint]

Be sure to check to the front page for the All-Region teams.

Congratulations to all!

A heartfelt congratulations to Coach K for the well-deserved Coach of the Year honors.  Every year has seen an improvement over the previous.  Next year should be terrific!   

[WLCALUM83]

Washington-ST. Louis ends Puget Sound's run tonight, 57-48.

I'm telling you don't be shocked if Washington wins it.

Calhsu, you may turn out to be right.

Wash ST. Louis just knocked off NYU and gets DePauw in the final tomorrow.

[calhsu]

I know some think I'm a broken record on experience but oh well.   Washington was the team to beat when I started paying attention to DIII women's basketball.  They have the old mojo back.

Ralph.  My comment on HPU experience was and still is,  now they have the experience.   Having been a great regular season team,  getting a high seed,  and then losing in their first game will only make them more dangerous next year.  They will not be happy to be there,  and not impressed with their high rating.   Noting that their all-American still has one more year they will be ready,  I can unfortuanately count on that.

I took a long look at what HSU has returning and for the first time in years I really am concerned.  And I note that for at least two or three years they have not had an all-american.  That would in itself be that big of a deal but when your chief rivals have had major players it is really showing up.
I am not saying they have no chance, they have several underclassmen that have size and I think the point guard will step up fine for her senior year.   What they really need is a big time scorer which is what they have not had since Kendra.

[Ralph Turner]

All-American teams are out!

http://www.d3hoops.com/tow/allamericans.htm

We have two second teamers and 2 fourths for the women.

Only 25 players total are named from the nearly 400 schools.

[mcmfan]

Been away from a computer for the past week, but wanted to offer a few words before the season is totally forgotten.  It seems to me experience is what killed us in the playoffs.  Nearly all the teams we play are in venues we're familiar with, and after a while even the fans like me start getting familiar with the names of the major players of the other teams.  When HPU played some unfamiliar teams in unfamiliar places in the regular season, they were not major level teams, so they weren't really pushed to their limit.  When we at McM played a nationally-ranked team in an unfamiliar venue (Stout), we lost.  So, I think we just weren't ready to face good teams we were unfamiliar with, which is what happened in the post season.  We need to figure out how to adjust faster to teams we're not used to playing two or three times a season.

And as for recruiting, I think HSU, McM, and HPU will all be gradually pushed aside by UMHB, as has already happened in football.  They simply have a wider recruiting area, being located as they are along the I35 corridor.  I'd expect both the men's and women's teams to become regular championship holders in the next few years, the way HSU used to be ten years ago.