WBB: American Southwest Conference

[Ralph Turner]

McMurry played a close game with Christopher Newport, yes.
Averett actually beat Christopher Newport.
That doesn't mean either is a national-level team. Things happen.

Thanks for the comment, Pat.

I was actually trying to figure how much farther the ASC must improve to get back to the quality that we saw in mid-decade, with HPU winning in 2008, and the strong HSU teams before that.

[JACKET84]

     In 2008, it was unfortunate that HPU and McMurry had to play so early in the playoffs.  McMurry had the team to go deep in the playoffs.  McMurry had an excellent team, but the stars aligned that year for HPU with some really solid, talented young women, and some home games during the playoffs. 

[Ralph Turner]

I think that the progress and success of ASC teams in the NCAA post-season has been due to the improvement of several teams in the conference.

HSU went to the Final Four as possibly the last Pool C selected in 2006.  ETBU, McM and HPU all had quality squads.  Prior to that, I wonder if the Cowgirls of earlier years were tested often enough in conference play to develop to their full potential.

Quality programs at LaCollege, UT-D, UMHB and the improving programs elsewhere too numeous to mention have made the conference stronger.

[lewis]

Howard Payne Signs Exclusive Deal With Adidas
http://www.hpusports.com/news/2011/4/21/Gen_0421112217.aspx

[JACKET84]

Mike Cloud.  Former Mathematics major at HPU, and my student teacher in 10th grade Geometry at Brownwood HS.

[lewis]

HPU women's basketball to be honored at San Antonio Silver Stars game
http://www.hpusports.com/news/2011/5/5/WBB_0505112323.aspx

[Ralph Turner]

After a 52-41 loss to D1 Southland Conference UT-Arlington, McMurry comes back to beat LeTU 60-53 and UT-Tyler 81-55.

They are 2-0 in conference play.

[Kelly Boggs]

LC defeated HPU 104-76 in Pineville. The Lady 'Cats are 5-1 on the season, 3-0 in conference play.
http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20111202/SPORTS/112020312/Criswell-leads-LC-s-surprising-rout-HPU

[mcmfan]

LA 104 HPU 76
UTD 67 HSU 56
Does this mean that the East is finally pulling ahead of the West?

[Ralph Turner]

If HSU and HPU are down this year, and we are not certain about UMHB, then we have a good chance to win the West.

[mcmfan]

McM 53 UTD 49
Well, maybe not...

[Ralph Turner]

McM 53 UTD 49
Well, maybe not...

I think that this was an excellent win.  UTD beat HSU on Thursday. HSU lost at Ozarks today.

UMHB lost today at Tyler to go 0-3.  HPU edged Mississippi College in Clinton 68-63 to go 2-2 on the season.  We are tied with CTX at 4-0 and a 2 game lead on the rest of the division.

[JACKET84]

HPU started 0-4 in conference last year, got things turned around, then won the conference championship.  They have more depth this year than last.  I believe it's a matter of time that they'll get cranked up and headed for another title.  Looking forward to the games this weekend.

[CUAfan]

It's been a long, long time since I've been around. Below are the current per-possession standings for both divisions. Hopefully I'll be able to update them every week. They can also be found here, my blog (such as it is). I also posted the men's numbers over on that thread as well.

PPP - points per possession
Opp. PPP - opponents points per possession
Diff. - differential
Pace - possessions per game

ASC West
Team (W-L) - PPP/Opp. PPP/Diff./Pace
Concordia-Texas (4-0) - 1.00/0.71/+0.29/75.3
McMurry (5-0) - 0.96/0.77/+0.19/67.1
Howard Payne (3-2) - 1.00/0.96/+0.05/75.2
Hardin-Simmons (2-3) - 0.96/0.92/+0.04/72.1
Texas Lutheran (2-3) - 0.87/0.93/-0.07/71.2
Schreiner (1-4) - 0.80/0.93/-0.13/69.0
Mary Hardin-Baylor (0-4) - 0.71/0.88/-0.17/68.0
Sul Ross State (1-5) - 0.72/1.05/-0.34/75.0

Average - 0.88/0.91/-0.03/71.7

ASC East
Team (W-L) - PPP/Opp. PPP/Diff./Pace
Louisiana College (5-0) - 1.09/0.78/+0.31/83.8
Texas-Dallas (3-1) - 0.97/0.81/+0.17/67.3
Mississippi College (3-2) - 0.88/0.77/+0.10/70.7
Ozarks (3-3) - 0.88/0.90/-0.02/69.4
LeTourneau (2-3) - 0.81/0.88/-0.07/72.0
Texas-Tyler (2-4) - 0.88/0.96/-0.09/74.1
East Texas Baptist (2-4) - 0.85/0.97/-0.12/73.0

Average - 0.91/0.87/+0.03/73.0

[Ralph Turner]

McMurry 72, HSU 64. Nice to get that win before Christmas.