WBB: Northwest Conference

BruinFan · January 22, 2011, 08:16:13 PM

Handles,

Good point on the youthfulness and teams adjusting to new coaches.

Wisconsin-Stevens Point (#8 in d3hoops) came out west and beat both UPS and PLU and Wisconsin-Whitewater (#11 in d3hoops) beat GFU in San Diego. The last 2 years, it would have been GFU and UPS pushing for rankings in the top #15.

For this year, the top teams in the WIAC appear stronger than the NWC. It took so much time and effort for the NWC to get noticed and respected, I hope that we can continue to have representatives that can win against just about anybody in the nation on a given night.

My saying the conference was down was more from a national perspective and having a team (UPS, LC, or GFU) make it to the Elite 8 come tournament time. Our top teams may not have the record to prove it, but I believe teams ranked #15-25 would find the NWC a tough place to play. The excitement and competition within the league is certainly present and there is much basketball left to be enjoyed this season.

Handles · January 25, 2011, 01:24:10 PM

Agreed BruinFan!! It seems that the conference is really up in the air. The top 3 teams are beating each other, the middle teams have wins over everyone, and the bottom teams occassionally pull out wins. Makes it tough to make any kind of predictions that is for sure.

Does anyone have predictions for this weekend???

bballfan05 · January 25, 2011, 06:49:24 PM

the top three teams aren't all beating each other because LC beat both UPS and George Fox

Handles · January 26, 2011, 04:06:08 PM

I guess what I meant was that they have a loss and are not undefeated. There is not one team dominating the conference. LC barely beat fox and had to shoot lights out to get past UPS on the road. I will try to be more clear for you next time bballfan05!

Out_Of_My_Kitchen · January 28, 2011, 09:58:05 PM

Looks like LC is going to be the team to beat so far. Already beating GF and UPS puts them in the drivers seat. Is this conference going to put two teams in the NCAAs or could this conference beat up on each other enough to only get one team in?

Dave 'd-mac' McHugh · February 02, 2011, 03:30:23 PM

First Regional Rankings: http://www.d3blogs.com/d3hoops/category/ncaa-stuff/regional-rankings/

BruinFan · February 05, 2011, 08:09:42 PM

First edition of the Regional rankings out earlier this week. And in the West, Lewis and Clark is #2 and Puget Sound is #6. I would like to see the 2nd place NWC team up to #4 before getting too hopeful about 2 teams into the tournament. Now, if LC stays at #2 and then either Puget Sound or George Fox win the conference tournament - that scenario has a decent chance of 2 teams getting in.

43 conferences and only 20 Pool C bids - I certainly believe that the Northwest Conference is one of the top 20 conferences in the nation. Unfortunately, it just doesn't seem to be that simple.

Big game tonight as the Bruins host the Pios. Both teams can make a big step forward by winning this game. Bruins have UPS left and a trip to the Whit's, but I don't see them doing any worse than 10-6, meaning that Whitworth and Whitman (sorry Linfield) are playing for #4. I think that spot will likely come down to when Whitman hosts Whitworth.

UPS goes to LC and then GFU the final weekend. Thus, the conference play-off seeds are not going to sort themselves out anytime soon. Add to the mix the ability of the teams not in the hunt to impact the final conference standings, so be careful because relaxing could result in a loss.

Lutefisk · February 09, 2011, 11:26:22 AM

UPS rolled over hapless PLU. Lutes need a new coach - one who recognizes the importance of defense. Matador defense... almost comical to watch.

BlueZoneBruin · February 09, 2011, 03:27:43 PM

Quote from: Lutefisk on February 09, 2011, 11:26:22 AM
UPS rolled over hapless PLU. Lutes need a new coach - one who recognizes the importance of defense. Matador defense... almost comical to watch.

You know...there is a great coach available in the Tacoma area with a very successful track record coaching women's college basketball. His name is Gil Rigell. Perhaps Turner should realize her mistake, eat some crow, and come grovelling back to the coach that led the Lutes to national rankings and prominence, conference titles, and a near trip to the Final Four. It's sad to see what has become of the once proud PLU athletic program that only 15 years ago won the Sears Cup (even that is covered with dust and crammed in a trophy case that's too small). Kind of makes you wish that Olson and Hoseth were still running things.

Lutefisk · February 10, 2011, 11:58:31 AM

BlueZoneBruin, you and exactly right. Too bad pride will keep Turner from doing the right thing.

Lutefisk · February 10, 2011, 12:02:23 PM

...are exactly right....

Lutefisk · February 12, 2011, 09:47:20 AM

Congrats to Linfield on their upset of UPS! Amazing to see the positive impact a good coach has already made on that program.

Lutefisk · February 13, 2011, 12:59:02 PM

Lutes Unable to Rebound Against Lewis & Clark
The host Pioneers grabbed 63 total rebounds, and their 35 boards on the offensive end were three more than Pacific Lutheran's total for the game. That led to plenty of second- and third-chance opportunities for the Pioneers (18-5 overall), who remain atop the Northwest Conference standings with a 12-2 record.
http://www.golutes.com/sports/wbkb/2010-11/releases/20110212awyk5f

Sounds like a loud and clear vote of no confidence in the coach when a team quits playing.... again.

BruinFan · February 13, 2011, 06:06:45 PM

Lutefisk,

While the rebounding margin was even greater than normal. In conference only games, LC is the clear leader in rebounding margin and PLU is #8. www.nwcsports.com/sports/wbkb/2010-11/stats/confonly.htm

The margin can just as easily be attributed to a match-up of a strong rebounding team vs. a weak rebounding team. I would not be so quick to attribute it as some kind of vote of no confidence - that is pretty harsh.

Maybe using this board to vent will get more people involved, but it won't keep me interested.

Lutefisk · February 13, 2011, 06:20:47 PM

Bruinfan, with all due respect, you aren't there to see what is happening except for probably two games. You can call it venting - In my opinion, it is the truth. I'm just speaking the truth... harsh or otherwise. My comments are not knee jerk. And my comments are shared by many others who are there to see what is happening. Sorry if that makes you uncomfortable. The PLU players deserve a good coach... there is enough talent on that team to be competitive. And I believe the players are not getting the support and leadership they deserve.