WBB: Northwest Conference

[Lutefisk]

Prediction for final standings....

GF         16-0
UPS       14-2
LC         10-6
Whitw     9-7
Whitm    8-8
PLU        6-10

[Handles]

Lutefisk......you don't have any belief in your lutes in getting that 4th place spot???  They actually played well against LC last night until about the last 5 minutes.  They are shooting 3's pretty well and that seemed to be what kept in the game with the Loggers as well.  They may surprise someone if they can continue to shoot well from behind the arc??

[Lutefisk]

Let's just say it has been frustrating...  Live by the three die by the three....

[Handles]

WOW!  Losing is definitely frustrating and add in inconsistancy and it makes for a long year.  Here is the question of the week.......Can Whitman upset UPS and go 4-0 in the next two weeks and possible grab that #4 spot??  Whitman has played both Fox and UPS to close games and almost upset both.

Thoughts?

[BruinFan]

No, I don't think Whitman will go 4-0. They were impressive against George Fox last Friday, but I just don't see them maintaining that level of play every game out. I don't know where they will stumble, but between hosting UPS and Whitworth and then traveling to Linfield (who should have defeated both UPS and Lewis and Clark at their place), they will drop at least one.

Updated final standing predictions with change in wins in parenthesis from my predictions 2 weeks ago. (after the first half of conference play)

GFox  16-0  (+1)
UPS    13-3  (-1)
LC       10-6  (-1)
WW    10-6   (-1)
Whitm  7-9   (+3)
PLU      6-10  (+1)
Pac     5-11   (-2)
Lin      4-12   (0)
Will     1-15   (0)

I know a close race creates more excitement and interest in each game. Sorry, but I think the only question that will be left before tip-off on Saturday, Feb. 20 will be if the Pirates or the Pioneers finish 3rd.

[Handles]

I think your right BruinFan about the Pios or Pirates taking 3rd??  That is a tough one to predict.  Is it too early to make our predictions for NWC all-conference teams and Coach of the year??  Who wants to start?  I will start with Claire Ely as MVP!!

[Lutefisk]

Ely definitely deserves MVP.  She's got a great combination of basketball savvy, skill and leadership.

[BruinFan]

2nd to last weekend here we go.

George Fox has a reason to stay focused both nights, especially in the first half.
The Bruins can clinch the conference crown with two wins and a loss by UPS to either of the Whit's.

1) I have a vague recollection that in recent years, they have started slowly in games at Willamette, but I could be wrong about that. I'm sure they want a solid 40 minute effort and to not have any let downs.

2) Linfield may feel they are due after losing 1-point games at home this year to both Lewis and Clark and UPS.  I think it will be important for the Bruins to have a double digit lead at halftime to keep the Wildcats from believing that this is the game they will take from a top team.

[Handles]

BruinFan,

Now that the Loggers got through the big weekend over the mountains....Do you still think they are going to drop another NWC game?  They only have Pacific and LC left.

Lets name one player from each team who should or could make the all tournament team:

Fox:  Gordon
UPS:  Ely
LC:  Spence or Herring
Whitworth: Pilkinton
Whitman: White
PLU: Pixler or Backstrom
Pacific:  Reeves
Linfield:  Owens
Willamette:  Zennan

Coach of the Year:  Barcomb

What does everyone else think??

[80sshorts]

COTY: Rueck

You forgot Munger, Williams for L&C, Erbe from Pacific

[Lutefisk]

Though Backstrom had a very good game vs Whitworth this weekend, Pixler definitely has been consistent and deserves the nod for plu.

[Handles]

80shorts

Actually, I didn't forget anyone because the game was.....you only get to pick ONE player from each team.  Now if you want to pick someone else from those teams then you get to choose someone else.  Munger over Gordon could be your very own pick.  Not a surprise that you pick Rouek for COY!!  Let me remind  you that they won everything last year with almost the same exact team.  They are supposed to win.  Just winning conference does not automatically mean someone is deserving of COY.  They may be, but there may be others more deserving!!  Barcomb has gotten her team to a place that was probably never expected.  They are 19-3 with 2 of those losses to Fox and the other early in the season by 1 point.  She has Ely scoring more than she ever has and several freshman contributing in their first year.  Plus, they were ranked #17 last week. 

Lutefisk....good point.  I agree, my one choice for PLU is not Pixler.  LC is the only team that I'm having trouble picking one. 

[Pat Coleman]

Let me remind  you that they won everything last year with almost the same exact team. 

Uhh ... not quite. That's stretching the definition of "almost."

[NWCSportsFan]

George Fox is not "almost the same exact team."  They lost the NWC Player of the Year, Kristen Sheilee and First Team All-Conference Selection, Sage Indendi.  They are 14-0 in the conference, #5 in the latest D3 poll.

The COTY is Scott Rueck.  Also, the POY is Hannah Munger.  She is getting better and better every game.

[Handles]

Kristen Sheilee was replaced by Munger who is much better than Sheilee....thats a wash or even a plus for Munger.  Sage was a great player for sure!  It takes 3 players to replace her, and the bench has given them what they need to replace Sage.  Again.....practically the same team!!  Mungers numbers do not come close to Ely's number.....No way is she POY.

Yes, you are right Fox is 14-0 and #5 in the nation and with all the returning players, going 39-0 last year, and winning the national title.....they are right where they are supposed to be.  Coach Rouek has done his job, but has he gone above and beyond to deserve coach of the year??

What does coach of the year mean anyway??  Are there certain things that coaches must do or is it just about winning their conference?  Thoughts on COY?