WBB: Northwest Conference

[northernstar]

Coaches Poll now out!

2009-10 Women's Basketball Coaches Pre-Season Poll:
 
                                    1st Place Votes       Points
George Fox (Ore.)                (8)                     88   
Puget Sound (Wash.)           (1)                     68   
Whitman (Wash.)                                           61   
Pacific (Ore.)                                                   49   
Whitworth (Wash.)                                         49   
Lewis & Clark (Ore.)                                        38   
Pacific Lutheran (Wash.)                                 31     
Willamette (Ore.)                                            17   
Linfield (Ore.)                                                  13   

[Wydown Blvd.]

lol. Title9Fan, you're very late on a conversation, and I don't know why you are bringing up Amherst (who on paper easily deserves their current ranking.) I wasn't even talking about Amherst, the conversation here was about GFox. Read the conversations prior to your post and then my comment will make more sense to you.

B Hoops, Why do you think the Bruins deserve to be ranked higher?

The teams above them:
WashU - lost 1 starter, didnt have a player average more than 10 points last year anyway, 2 final fours in 3 years
Hope - lost 2 starters, returns all american Snikkers, finished with back to back Elite 8's
Amherst - returns all starters from Final Four young squad (but is in the northeast which is some consider a weaker region...), on paper seems to be ranked properly

The reason I say "on paper" is because I saw Amherst play about 8 games last season and the ranking may be different based on my subjective eyes (IMHO), but I know I'm just one lady.

My argument with Bhoops was that GFox has not been disrespected in this years poll. He started to bring up five year histories (which I dont believe are relevant) and such, but even so I argued that WashU's and Hope's 5 year histories are better. Amherst's five year history is not. But he was referring to GFox and the NWC being disrespected over the years not just this year (similar to the WAC or Pac-10), which may be true but I dont follow the NWC as well as I do other conferences.

[Wydown Blvd.]

really? what was your point? you hopped on this board, and jumped into a pretty interesting conversation about the justification of Gfox's ranking with an issue that wasn't really relevant to the conversation. unless you want to add something to the conversation, Im not going to respond to you again.

When BHoops tried to compare the five year history of Gfox for the sake of his argument that Gfox is underrated, I used a couple of points to counter his argument. This has nothing to do with Amherst's history because it is not relevant. Thats why I asked you to read the previous posts (and not just my posts, but his also because it was a two way conversation). I don't know what your problem is.

[Wydown Blvd.]

sure. there are much more interesting things to talk about anyway.

(and no I'm not west coast, I follow the midwest (st. louis and chicago areas) and northeast)

[swiss]

It would appear to me that George Fox will still be a very good basketball team, but it will be difficult to overcome at the very least, the loss of two of your top three players, if not your top two players.  I haven't seen the tall freshman play, so I cannot comment on how she will fill that void.  Height doesn't always equate to skill in this sport. 

George Fox will still be a strong club, in spite of those losses, but I do agree that I think they have lost more than B Hoops may be aware.

I've seen the Bruins once this year... in an alumni game... and while it's too early to be certain, I'd say any team facing this group is going to have their hands full.  I think quite possibly this could be their strongest team in the last seven years (all of which I've witnessed).  They are tall (let me just say that their 6'5" frosh is not just tall, she's definitely a player, an athlete, a developing talent that may dominate the NWC for the next 4 years).  They are a fast group, and quick (from top to bottom).  They are intense (one scrimmage doesn't make a season but if they stay as hungry as they looked the other night... look out!).  They shot the ball well (inside and out, with multiple players and combinations contributing.)  They played strong defensively... as Coach Rueck's teams always do (there were long stretches in which the alumni struggled to even get a shot to the rim and these alumni are good and competitive players who still play the game).  Their sophomores now look well seasoned (a championship does that for you). The team as a whole clearly looked further along to me at this point than the '09 team did during last year's alumni game.  All in all I saw another championship quality team in the making. 

They have some big tests coming up with a scrimmage against a perennial Div 2 power, Seattle Pacific, and an early game against Lewis and Clark State College, an NAIA Div I team.  We'll see how it all pans out but I believe Bruin fans (and D3 fans everywhere) will be impressed when they get a chance to see this team in action.

[northernstar]

I believe you!  I am going to be able to catch at least one of their games, and I am looking forward to it!

[Laserty]

I'm really interested where Sage Indendi went. just curious after seeing her at the final four last year. She could definitely play D1... anybody know?

[swiss]

I'm really interested where Sage Indendi went. just curious after seeing her at the final four last year. She could definitely play D1... anybody know?

I'm pretty sure she's not playing anywhere.  I could be wrong about that but that's what I heard earlier in the fall.  It's too bad for her fans because she was a gifted player in many respects.  But being good at something doesn't mean you love it or are willing to put up with the whole package.  Maybe a year away will change her mind... or just give her some idea of what she does love.

[Handles]

Where are all the comments on Northwest conference womens basketball?  Where are the fans?  C'mon everyone, get on the board and chat!!

What do you all think about Lewis and Clark?  They seem to be playing well?
What about Fox losing 2 in a row?  Can anyone in conference beat them?

[northernstar]

Some strange things have been happening for sure.  George Fox losing two of thier first six is probably the most surprising.  Lewis & Clark's start is probably the next most surprising.  Could this be the first year in several where there are 3 or 4 teams, or maybe more, capable of making a serious run for the conference title? 

[80sshorts]

It sounds like Lewis and Clark could be tough this year, that new Guard Williams looks like a good find for the Pioneers.  Pacific's going to be tough with Erbe, and the Bruins' success depends on their shooting.  Bigtime shooting problems for the Bruins in their two losses.

[Handles]

What about turnover problems for Fox?  Seems like I saw a boxscore against Chapman with 32 T.O's......Your not going to be able to shoot if you turn it over.  I have not seen LC yet but Williams does look tough on paper!  Has anyone seen the Loggers play?

[swiss]

I don't think TO's are going to be the main problem for Fox.  However, if they are going to live with the 3pt shot, they are also going to die with it.  They were 9 for 47 (19%) from behind the arc in their 2 losses.  Shooters naturally run hot and cold and the farther you play for the rim the more chance you have to let a bad shooting performance lead to a loss.  The good news is they still have Hannah Munger inside (44% in those two losses & 51% overall) and if they will find ways to get her the ball (most importantly, though, it has to be at the right place at the right time) they will be able to score whenever they need to.  Also, the more floor time she gets the better she will get (at this point only 19 min a game).  If it were me, I'd be working very hard to establish that inside game first with a two post offense. When the defense collapses on her (which they will) drop it to the other post or kick it out for a 3.  They have some strong outside shooters but I would keep that weapon in check until it's time to finish 'em off.

[northernstar]

I might agree with the shooting of George Fox being off.  I saw the last half against Lewis-Clark State, and they not only weren't hitting free throws, but shooting from perimeter wasn't strong.  The 6' 5" Freshman looks good close to the basket.  If teams don't keep her away from the basket, she looks like she will make them pay for it.

[Handles]

Good luck to all the Northwest conference teams playing this weekend.  Safe travels and happy holidays. 

I can't wait for the start of the new year.....The conference seems like it will be really exciting once again.  Several teams have performed well so far in non-conference play.