WBB: Northwest Conference

[arforbes]

Congratulations to PLU, UPS, and Whitman.  Whitman did what it needed to do at the end of the season to remain alive for the tournament, while my Bruins failed to win on the East side and failed to win a game against the top two.  Although I hate to see the Bruins finish the season, it is somewhat of a nice vindication for the Whitman seniors, who lost the infamous coin flip 2 years ago.  They finally get to play UPS with the potential tournament bid on the line.  UPS and PLU probably have a fair chance to get invited despite a loss this week, given the enlarged field.  Whitman certainly has to win 2.  Which team might the committee consider if Whitman accomplished that unlikely task?

[Pat Coleman]

I think if Whitman beats both UPS and PLU, then the NWC could very well get all three teams in.

[Pat Coleman]

Oh, and if that happens, the teams might just get split up into separate regionals. Chapman seems likely to qualify for the tournament as a Pool B team and the SCIAC champ will get in as well. Both of those teams could come up to NWC country for a regional and Whitman, as the lowest seeded team of the three, might get shipped out to Minnesota or even to Texas, depending on who qualifies there.

[parklandpride]

Does anyone know why Kelsey Krumdieck (Whitman) didn't play against Pacific in their final game? She played on Tuesday against Whitworth but not on Friday. Injury, rested, etc?

[rimshot]

parkland-
no kelsey and no laird---but i doubt whitman will tell you why---it is the play-offs.

pat-
seriously---now way will 3 go if whitman wins it.  UPS better hope they can take care of whitman---tough match-up

al---
how long do you think whitman can hang on to the coin flip to fire them up?

[Pat Coleman]

Why not? There are 21 Pool C bids this year, not seven or eight.

[rimshot]

Pat-

Why not? 
Well history has proven that 'many' do not think that the NWC is a strong conference.  Although NWC in my opinion has proven that they are strong---afterall playing in the Elite 8 game for 4 years running.  I guess you are correct about the extra bids---it just seems the NCAA has not given NWC 2 bids and now that the bracket is of acceptable size would they finally be willing to send 3?

I sure don't think anyone would turn down an invite to DANCE.

[okobojicat]

The NWC is not a good conference. There are two good teams (UPS and PLU) and the rest of the conference is marginal at best. George Fox proved that in conference they can't play against "tough" teams and Whitman went 3-5 on the road in conference. Its not a tough match-up for a rested and excited UPS team. If anything, PLU should be worried about UPS beating Whitman so bad that they are on a high. Remember, UPS dismantled PLU in Parkland. I think this one will be close.

PLU and UPS should both get in the tourny, but not George Fox or Whitman.

[swiss]

The NWC is not a good conference. There are two good teams (UPS and PLU) and the rest of the conference is marginal at best.

Okobojicat:  So you're the expert on the NWC? Where have you been all the season?  You think the Steelers might win the Super Bowl?

As for the Tourney:  I'd love to see all three get in.  They have played well this year and won when they had to win.  I think they each would represent the conference well and if they are sent to different regions might all end up in the final four.  As for the strength of the conference, Scranton (the current #2) had difficulty early in the year with both Lewis and Clark (W by 10) and Willamette (W by 12).  The more opportunities we have to play teams out east the greater the likelihood the NWC improves upon its well-deserved respect.

If the NCAA starts taking 2 from the NWC on a regular basis we could go to a conference tournament in which the top eight teams get one more shot in a neutral site the final weekend of the year.  The conference champion and the tournament champion (if different) could both qualify every year.  Probably won't happen because of cost and time, but it would be fun and great for the fans to see eight of the teams in one weekend.

[chemguy]

Well said, Swiss!

When two teams that finish well back in a conference give good games to nationally ranked teams, I think it saya something about the quality of the conference.

Looking forward to the games this week in Tacoma & Parkland - I believe the first game will go to UPS by at least 15 points.  The loggers finish the season strong against Linfield, and I just can't see Whitman causing them any problems defensively.

The Saturday game will definately be one to watch. I anticipate a tough, high scoring game, but the Loggers will win this one as well.  I hope that PLU gets a Pool C invitation, because both these teams could do very well, if given the chance.

Congratulations to all three teams. You've done very well to get to this point!

[Kibitzer]

I haven't been very succesful in making predictions to this point. I agreed with chemguy 2 weeks ago that the Lutes would stumble with the thinking that Mann was lost for the season. But now that she appears to be healthy, I gotta go with the Lutes this Saturday. They have out rebounded and out shot people like crazy the last half of the season. Their seniors don't seem to want to let them lose (leadership matters - just ask GF) and playing at home should give them the edge they need.

Assuming UPS beats Whitman which is not a given, the match-ups should change this time. If PLU puts Johnson on Carnahan she shouldn't be hauling in 10 rebounds from her PG position like she did in their last meeting which proved to be a big difference.

I hope the NWC gets two teams in this year. And I hope they don't place them in the same regional just to save money. Contrary to what okobob said, the league is no weaker than the next Div III league. Our teams have historically faired well against outside opponents and I think we'll prove that again. When the number 4 team in the nation doesn't even make the post season is the league weak?

And don't count the Missionaries out just yet. They have determined seniors and a tremendous coach. They'll be ready.

[parklandpride]

I do this ever year, whether people like it or not, but it makes for good conversation...so here goes. I am going to just post the picks and the stats, lets the conversations roll and then support my picks a day later. The Pride Picks 2006:

NWC Player of the Year: Nikki Johnson (PLU 14-2) 15 PPG, 10.5 RBG, 43% FG, 16 Games

1st Team All NWC:
DeeDee Arnall (Pacific 3-13) 21.8 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 50% FG, 94 FT Made
Sarah Carnahan (UPS 13-3) 12.4 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 45% FG, 3.25 APG
Kelly Turner (PLU 14-2) 15.8 PPG, 45% FG, 2.5 APG, 89% FT, 47% 3pt (43 made)
Crystal Castle (L&C 8-8) 15.5 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 49% FG, 79% FT, 2.5 Steals
Lizzy Washburn (Whitman 10-6) 13.5 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 51% FG, 70% FT.

2nd Team All NWC:
Kilty Keaton: (UPS 13-3) 13.1 PPG, 48% FG, 41 3Pt Made, 46% 3Pt
Kezia Long: (PLU 14-2) 11.6 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 46% FG, 79% FT, 26 Blocks
Robyn Taylor: (GFU 10-6) 12.4 PPG, 50% FG, 2.3 APG, 77% FT, 1.7 SPG, 42% 3pt.
Allison Farr: (L&C 8-8) 13.1 PPG, 5 RPG, 48% FG, 25 blocks
Emily Hendrickson: (Whitworth 7-9) 14 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 44% FG, 82% FT

NWC Coach of the Year:
Suzy Barcomb (UPS) and Gil Rigell (PLU) - Co COY -

Tell me I am wrong/right and why.

[Kibitzer]

PP-

While the voting may very well go exactly as you suggest (do you know something we don't know?), my feelings are:

1. I'm not going to comment on your individual player selections because I don't want to come across as being negative. I will only say that stats don't mean everything. Besides, the coaches votes are the only ones that matters;

2. In my opinion, COY honors should go to Juli Fulks of Lewis & Clark for taking a team nobody thought would win to keeping them in the play-off hunt through the final weekend of the season. If I knew someone with a daughter coming out of high school who was interested in playing small college basketball, I would encourage her to take a long and hard look at Lewis & Clark knowing that she would have a great experience, receive a quality education,  and learn basketball inside and out;

3. There is not really a clear cut POY candidate as there has been in previous years. All things being equal the honor should go to Arnall. But players on 3-13 teams don't usually win these awards. My strong hunch is that the POY votes will be distributed among 2 or 3 or 4 players not including last year's winner;

4. I think you are over looking Laura Hirsch from UPS;

5. I like Coblentz as my center on the second team based on attitude, consistency, and effort if nothing else;

6. Mann deserves some recognition. She played hurt all season and without her the Lutes don't win. She missed two games and still managed to lead the conference in assists by a landslide. Besides, it looked to me like she did as much coaching over there as anyone;

7. I like all of the Whitman players – Patneaude, Higgins, Krumdieck, and Vertatschitsch – too bad there aren't enough spots for all;

8. Ditto for the quick Ridings sisters who rarely came off the floor;

9. Hats off to Laura Payne (and her teammates) for enduring a long season and playing hard the whole way;

10. Rookies: Do Schmidt and Johnson count? Of the new freshmen I like Craven and Chase from UPS, Hanato from Linfield, Richardson from PLU, and Kittell from Lewis & Clark. I' sure there are others.

Out of curiosity Parkland, how many of your all conference players have you seen play this year? How many games have you watched? Are you just gleaning stats?

[ghr]

I am going to agree with Kibitzer here when he says stats don't mean everything. One question why leave Leith out?

Parkland you have watched the League for years so what are your thoughts on multiple bids with the enlarged field?

[parklandpride]

All of this is my own personal opinion...i know nothing more than what i either saw, read or talked to people about. I will admit that I have several relationships with coaches, players and SID's in this league and do get a chance to talk with several of them on a regular basis. Bottom line is, this is purely my own opinion.

To answer what I have seen...There is only 1 player on my list and 1 team that i havent seen this season and that is Whitman. As for the others. I have seen UPS 3 times, PLU 5, GFU 3, L&C 2, Willamette 4, Whitworth 1, Pacifc 2, Linfield 3, and Whitman 0.

I do agree that not all decisions are made on a statistical basis, if I did, Arnall would be POY hands down. My reasoning for Nikki Johnson as POY has more to do with stats you can't see, than those you can.

Coach Fulks did an amazing job at L&C, but i also have a reason i didn't pick her. I also didn't pick someone like Coblentz for a team because the "Team" awards do not consider position. You could have all posts and/or all guards on 1st team if it is voted that way.

I agree, there are not enough awards to go around, but that is what makes recognition like this so special. There is also a prime example from Tacoma of a player that has the talent to be a 1st team player (even a POY candidate), but might have just played her way out of it because her team was better when she wasnt putting up the biggest numbers.

Disagree with me, you have been doing it all season, why stop now? You can do it in a way that doesnt bash anyone or look negative. I didn't vote Liz Clark first team last year and i still hear about it. Instead just about everyone on this board talked about how amazing a player she was to try and prove me wrong. Might have been the best discussion we had last year.

That is the point of this board...isnt it?