WBB: American Southwest Conference

[Pat Coleman]

Hey Pat different times than back in 99-2000 it is alot harder to finish a season undefeated now than back then.

According to whom? We had three teams enter the tournament unbeaten this year. How hard exactly?

[Pat Coleman]

I think it would be hard to argue against the group that won four consecutive championships.  That is greatness.

Exactly. Maybe golfniz didn't know that it was part of a four-year stretch.

Those who don't know history are doomed to make outlandish statements.

[JACKET84]

Being a HPU fan and still on cloud nine about HPU's national championship, I just can't comprehend a team going undefeated 2 years in a row, and winning 4 straight national championships.  I think golfniz is speaking out of emotion at this time.  You can't compare 1 year vs 4 years.  It's apples to oranges.

[golfniz1]

Did they finish that way?  Alls I can say nice 4 year stretch for Washington  As stated before its my opinion and I'm entitled to that just as you are to make some of your outlandish remarks.  So peace!

[Pat Coleman]

That's fine. I'm just trying to lend an unbiased reality check to the statements, as someone who's seen a little bit more of Division III history than I believe you have.

And I haven't seen all of Division III history, either, which is why I was cautious not to state anything as an absolute. No team HAS to be rated as the best Division III team of all time. Some have to be considered, but nobody HAS to be crowned automatically since it's hard to tell who is head and shoulders above the rest.

Except, possibly, for the one that won 80-plus consecutive games. HPU is off to a good start, at 33 and counting.

[golfniz1]

Thats fine Pat like I said its my opinion and being a n HPU fan can you blame me?

[golfniz1]

Why did you dock me 2 karma points?

[Pat Coleman]

Each user can only do one per 24 hours, so must've been someone else.

[Sand Man]

Hey golfniz1, I can certainly appreciate your enthusiasm.
 
Best ever?  We'll have to leave that to the historians. 

However, there are few things that can't be argued.  Such as, forever this team will be remembered as the ASC's first National Champion in any team sport!  Others may come, very soon I hope, but this year's team will forever be the first.  To go undefeated, also puts this team in a very elite group, for sure, in any sport.

A great team, leaving behind a great legacy, and great memories, and outstanding individuals carrying forward a bright future!  Does it get any better than that, and really does it need to?

[Sand Man]

Was it just me, or did anyone else at the ceremony want to laugh when our mayor got up and spoke and gave the proclamation?  Unless my mind is completely gone, I never remember him attending any HPU basketball games.  I find him to be quiet humorous.  At this last years HPU Homecoming parade, he wore his UT cap.

As a matter of fact I did laugh, but I normally do whenever I here him give a speech. 

I'm so focused, even before the game begins,   I don't notice many folks, other than the regulars that I sit near.  The mayor isn't one of these.

If he didn't come to any of the games  , or for anyone else that didn't, it was their loss.

[Ralph Turner]

One other perspective on the players that play in the UAA (Washington St Louis' conference)...

Somewhat facetiously but with a very large grain of truth, the players in the UAA are the ones who turned down a full athletic ride at a mid-major/majors for the chance to go to an outstanding academic institution for an education.

We all talk the same game about student-athletes in D-III, and I am proud that Tarra Richardson's 3.9 GPA Finance Major at McMurry can be mentioned in the same breath as Washington-St Louis' Troy Ruths' 4.0 Computer Science Major as Jostens Winners, but those UAA players are truly outstanding student-athletes.

[Sand Man]

...(I will post my thoughts on the Best ASC teams later on this season.)... 

Mr. Turner,

Did you ever post your thoughts on the Best ASC teams, or did I miss it somewhere along the way?   

[Ralph Turner]

Here's a place to start the discussion.

1)   2008 HPU  National champs
2)   2006 HSU  Final Four, called Cinderella; first ASC appearance in the Final Four
3)   2003 HSU  Lost in Sweet 16 to National Champs
4)   2004 HSU  Lost to UW-SP in the Elite 8
5)   2000 HSU  Lost in Elite 8 after losing one of the great games in the McM-HSU rivalry.
6)   2008 McM  Best of the McMurry playoff teams.
7)   2007 HPU  Learned the lessons that made 2008 effective
8 )  2000 McM  Beat #10 Simpson; beat Hendrix before losing at #6 HSU in the Sweet 16.
9)   2006 McM  Woulda, shoulda, coulda...Lost to Cinderella in the first round.
10) 2001 HSU  Lost in the Sweet 16.

I also think that the ASC has gotten tougher draws in the first rounds than HSU got thru 2004.

[dballa]

Dr. Don Newbury's Article "NCAA Abandon's Hope"

This is a great article as is pretty much everything he writes.

[golfniz1]

OK let me get something started here it is getting boring.  Guys and gals who is going to to be the pre-season pick for ASC player of the year for 2008-2009?