WBB: Northwest Conference

Handles · January 27, 2010, 04:13:58 PM

So Northernstar.....a co-conference champion is your prediction?? Which means, you are saying the Loggers will beat George Fox this Friday night! How are the Loggers going to stop Munger? She is playing way better and with more confidence. She just dropped in 21 against Pacific shooting a very high percentage. 6'5 is pretty hard to stop.....The Logger starting posts are only 5'10 and 5'11 and even in a zone, Fox is pretty good at just throwing the lob to Munger. Plus, looking at the stats....UPS doesn't rebound very well. If they can't stop Munger from scoring and keep her off the glass....it could be a long night??

northernstar · January 27, 2010, 10:05:37 PM

I would agree that Munger will be a dramatic challenge for Puget Sound. I did feel that Puget Sound met that challenge in the first meeting this year at George Fox. With the extra advantage of being at home, I thought it might be enough to push them over thehump. Height is definitely an advantage to Fox, but height can be defended in a number of ways even by a considerably shorter player. Puget Sound will have to play a nearly flawless game, but I think they have other players that will also be difficult for George Fox to deal with too.

Handles · January 28, 2010, 11:47:34 AM

Any time you are playing a top team in the nation, the opposing team will have to play nearly a flawless game. Which means that Fox must play nearly flawless as well!! Being at home will be an advantage to the Loggers. Cant wait for Friday!!

80sshorts · January 29, 2010, 09:45:30 PM

Bruins and Loggers playing pretty much to a standstill halfway through the game. Sounds like Mohsenian has been the difference. GFU's bench is killing UPS. I think if the Bruins can keep the Loggers shooting below 30% FGs, they'll be in pretty good shape when the game's over. If the Loggers want to win they've got to get some help for Ely. She's been solid but not spectacular, Layland or McKinnis has to step up or at least get some boards somewhere.

swiss · January 29, 2010, 10:44:12 PM

Good job BruOnes! You will be moving up in the national poll (D3Hoops) since both #6 Scranton and #3 Wash U lost this week. If you can guard against an over-confident let down and avoid injuries you will be in great shape heading into the tourney.

Handles · January 30, 2010, 01:52:57 AM

Fox is truly deserving of their #6 ranking! They handled the Loggers on their home floor. Even when the Loggers looked like they were going to make a run, Fox had an answer. The UPS youth did not seem to play up to par tonight and they surly didn't help Ely who tried to do everything.....

With 7 games left in conference the Loggers are going to have to continue to win in order to hold that #2 spot. Whitworth and Whitman both got wins tonight which makes for an interesting weekend in a couple weeks. UPS still needs to travel over there and if they don't play defense and if Ely doesn't get any help they could struggle.

The UPS bench was outplayed dramatically by Foxes bench which was a difference in the game!

We finally here from Swiss.....who has come out of hiding!! Of course swiss only seems to chat when the Bruins win..... God forbid someone bite them in the butt and they actually lose. I think Swiss would go into hiding for years!

BruinFan · January 30, 2010, 08:40:34 PM

I know it is more interesting to consider the possibility that UPS might be challenged for the #2 spot, but I don't think it will happen.

Once again, the Bruins will finish the regular season in first and the Loggers in second.

Handles · January 31, 2010, 01:38:06 AM

BruinFan,

There is no way George Fox is going to lose 3 games out of the remaining 7 regular season games! Fox should finish in the #1 spot. With Wash U and Illinois Wes. both losing this weekend, Fox should also move up again in the polls.....

Here comes Whitworth......They have now moved themselves into a tie for 3rd! The middle of the pack is jammed. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out, especially for that 3rd and 4th place spot.

BruinFan · January 31, 2010, 12:05:31 PM

I agree about George Fox finishing first in the conference. I was referring to UPS being a lock for #2. Whitworth and LC will compete for the #3 spot, but won't make it to #2.

Handles, do you see any other school making a run for the conference play-off? I don't.

Handles · January 31, 2010, 06:59:01 PM

Great Question: Well here is where the Northwest Conference ranks after this weekend.

GFU 10-0 17-2
UPS 8-2 16-3
LC 6-4 12-7
Whitworth 6-4 10-9
PLU 5-5 7-12
Whitman 4-6 9-10
Pacific 3-7 2-8
Linfield 2-8 4-15
Willamette 1-9 3-16

I think both PLU and Whitman could challenge for that 4th place spot?? Whitman almost beat UPS at UPS and has been the only team to hold Ely to single digit points. With so many injuries they may not be able to hold on but they are making a push.UPS still needs to travel to Walla Walla.......PLU plays well at home and really struggles on the road. They are like two completely different teams. They do host UPS on Tuesday.

I would agree the #1 and #2 spots are pretty much sealed. Three and four are completely up in the air.

northernstar · February 01, 2010, 09:59:57 AM

As I said, you are usually proven wrong the 1st weekend after a prediction. That being said, George Fox is most definitely in the driver's seat. I do agree that it will be difficult, if not impossible, for either Lewis & Clark or Whitworth to overtake Puget Sound for second.

Based on the rest, I would not count out Pacific Lutheran or Whitman out of the 3rd/4th Place mix yet. Pacific still has an outside chance, but it is an uphill battle and doesn't look good.

Handles · February 02, 2010, 04:14:35 PM

Well, here we go......Who wins tonight in the game of UPS @ PLU??? Plu is playing well at home and is fighting for a playoff spot. Last year they beat the Loggers at PLU. Can that happen again??

BruinFan · February 04, 2010, 09:35:09 PM

First week of regional rankings have been released. These rankings are a much better indication of what the tournament selection committee will do than the entertainment value of the d3hoops top 25.

West regional rankings have George Fox #1 and UPS #2.

So, best case scenario is ...
IF ... both schools win out in conference (no guarantees)
and IF ... both schools make it to the conference play-off final,
THEN... it seems like the Northwest Conference would get 2 schools in the tournament no matter which team earns the automatic bid.

I can also hold out hope that if the Bruins and Loggers remain #1 and #2 in the regional rankings that money $$$ may somehow be trumped and these teams be given an opportunity to not meet each other again until at least the 3rd round. But, with 3 weekends left of conference play, I am starting to get ahead of myself.

Handles · February 05, 2010, 11:01:49 AM

I think you are definitely getting ahead of yourself and being incredicibly optimistic!! Especially in regards to the NWC getting 2 teams into the tournament. If George Fox and UPS can stay #1 and #2 in the west region I don't think there is any way they can keep them both out. BUT....I really doubt they are going to separate them!! It has never happened and money plays a huge role with the tourney organizers. Looking at whats best for teams and the tournament does not seem to be considered, its all money.

I would love to be proved wrong in this situation but again....I doubt I will be!

Handles · February 07, 2010, 11:31:59 AM

The teams still battling for positions. I think 3 teams have been eliminated this weekend: Linfield, Pacific, and Willamette. That 4th place spot is still up in the air with 4 regular season games left. LC squeaked out 2 victories this weekend to take over sole possession of 3rd. Any predictions for the final 4 games???

George Fox 12-0
UPS 10-2
LC 8-4
Whitworth 7-5
Whitman 5-7
PLU 5-7