WBB: American Southwest Conference

thundercat · February 19, 2007, 11:16:16 AM

Bench Coach, sorry I am going to have to disagree with you. Losing the senior post Engelke and other players (namely Venekamp who was a great outside shooter) are HUGE losses to a team. From what I see their new players haven't contributed much and they are relying heavily on a few players. Engelke was a great rebounder and had a great touch around the basket and there hasn't been anybody that has taken that role and without Venekamp out on the floor, Sawyer isn't going to get as many looks and is having to force shots. There is no way they are at the same level they were last year!

mcmfan · February 19, 2007, 11:44:32 AM

Engleke contributed something else to the team, which I don't think she often got credit for: she was a real stabilizer. When the team got behind, she would come in and just play solidly, rarely turning over the ball and usually hitting the baskets she went after. I think her presence helped focus the other team members when they were cold, since she was so consistent. And, yes, Venekamp was a serious outside threat since she was bigger and taller than the 3-point shooters we have now (like Lewis). They are both missed. The new players have to work harder to grow into their shoes.

thundercat · February 19, 2007, 12:09:10 PM

good point on Engleke, mcmfan. I definatly agree she helped keep that team focused and calm in stressful situations.

fanstand · February 19, 2007, 12:35:49 PM

I disagree, thundercat, though it is hard to replace senior experience like we had in Carli, Allie and Jabri have done very well especially in rebounding and Allie is scoring well. And Sandra Lewis is an excellent 3 pt shooter and can play good defense as well. And I agree with Bench Coach..a 1 point win is as good as a 30 point win, especially this time of the year. Lose and go home. You only have to win by one at this time of the year. I believe in this LIB team, and they are the defending conference champs. I believe Symbri will lead this team to another championship!!!!!!!

calhsu · February 19, 2007, 01:40:46 PM

All of you that go to the games and know the wonderful ladies get all caught up in them personally. The fact that the best I can do is listen to some of the games on line means I have nothing personally involved in what I say. The reason I said MCM is not as good as last year is for one reason only. They have not won like they did last year. All three top teams lost very little from last year to this. It is HPU that stepped up their game, which I only say because they have won. (boy I really hate being a HPU apoligist.)

Remember I said don't get upset because I stated an opinion. Give your own. Ralph has only said that he likes MCM chances. If I was in the shoes of HPU fans I would easily say we are going to win this weekend.

mcmfan · February 19, 2007, 02:00:07 PM

HPU CUA +31 HSU CUA +40 McM CUA +22
HPU UMHB +7 HSU UMHB +28 McM UMHB +8
HPU SU +61 HSU SU +31 McM SU +26
HPU TLU +47 HSU TLU +53 McM TLU +27

calhsu:
By the numbers, I'd say HSU is going to win. I've added McM's point spreads for the four schools I compared earlier. Which team is winning by the highest margin on most of the games? As a McM fan, I don't like the numbers, and obviously it's the job of the coaches and players to figure out how to turn them around at game time. But that's the number count as it stands now.

sethhpu · February 19, 2007, 02:14:16 PM

I have a real hard time looking at the point spread of three teams that aren't even in the conference tournament. UMHB is good to look at, but remember HPU played @ UMHB with the numbers given.The UMHB game were in Abilene for McM and HSU.

watrboy · February 19, 2007, 06:49:03 PM

Quote from: mcmfan on February 19, 2007, 11:44:32 AM
Engleke contributed something else to the team, which I don't think she often got credit for: she was a real stabilizer. When the team got behind, she would come in and just play solidly, rarely turning over the ball and usually hitting the baskets she went after. I think her presence helped focus the other team members when they were cold, since she was so consistent. And, yes, Venekamp was a serious outside threat since she was bigger and taller than the 3-point shooters we have now (like Lewis). They are both missed. The new players have to work harder to grow into their shoes.

HPU75 · February 19, 2007, 08:42:28 PM

Calhsu:

Thank you for being an HPU apologist. I agree that MCM is not as good as last year despite their record, and their win over HPU. Yes, we lost to them in Abilene but we have led them 70+ of the 80 minutes so far.

Also, I do not think the margin of victory is necesarily the only answer. That is just as true now as it was earlier when HPU had MUCH larger margins against MANY teams.

As I have said several times earlier, and having seen all 4 top West teams in person 2 to 7 times each, there is no question in my mind that the strength of teams right now is HPU-1, HSU-2, MCM-3 and UMHB-4.

I am much more worried about beating a quality team like HSU 3 times in a few weeks than any worry about margins of victory. That will definitely be a tough semi game for HPU. I certainly would not complain if somehow MC could upset HSU in the first round. Quite unlikely, but you can hope.

Playing at home should certainly help, especially if HPU can get some big crowds out, but in one game anything can happen at least among the top 4-5 teams in Brownwood.

GO LADY JACKETS!!

fanstand · February 19, 2007, 09:55:05 PM

I believe in my team, and everyone is 0-0 to begin the weekend. I believe everytime they step on the court they will be the winners. That's what makes me a fan. And no matter what happens I will still love them for who they are. Personal? You bet, I don't have to be logical, I am all about the emotion...........so you men out there can be as logical as you want, I don't care. But, I have a comment about having the tournament in Brownwood. The last game we played there, I did manage to find the restrooms, thank you very much...BUT when I went there during the second game, there was NO paper and only one lavatory was working!!! I think it is important to make a very good impression on all the teams and fans, no matter who is hosting. Dballa, I expect you to make sure all the necessary needs are met!!!!

dballa · February 19, 2007, 10:59:35 PM

www.justtoiletpaper.com

fanstand go ahead and go to that link pick out the one you want and i'll make sure it's there for you and nobody else will touch it

dballa · February 19, 2007, 11:13:28 PM

It's going to take a lot of depth for someone to win the conference tournament this year. ETBU has a good team but I don't think they have the depth to win it all. McMurry's starters are good but coming off the bench they just aren't that strong or at least just haven't shown game after game that they can win 3 straight days.

HSU and HPU seem to have the most depth of anybody in the conference. Assuming both of those teams make it to the 2nd round, it will be one of those that wins it all.

HPU75 · February 19, 2007, 11:44:38 PM

3 games in really 48 hours or less is tough on any team. I agree, dballa, that from what I have seen HPU and HSU have the most depth and that should be very beneficial this weekend. We will all see shortly!!

fanstand · February 20, 2007, 01:07:41 AM

I'll take a "two the rescue" so no one runs out. Unless maybe we can customize one? Probably not enough time huh?

Bench Coach · February 20, 2007, 10:34:06 AM

I am going to be honest as to what I think about Mcm and their bench. Honesty is the best policy, right! I think that Coach N. doesn't utilize his bench right. I also believe that without Williams there on the bench you are losing a lot of your outside shot. I believe that LIB has the talent to win the tournament, but the coach has to use it in the right ways. That is just what I think, my opinion and if it offends anyone, sorry!

WBB: American Southwest Conference

watrboy