MBB: Northwest Conference

[David Collinge]

L&C's Mark Robinowitz and Tyson Papenfuss combined for two points tonight.   

Final score: Whitworth 64, Lewis & Clark 33.  Oh.  My.

[Pat Coleman]

Ouch.

[Pio20]

The Pios played worse in the second half than they did in the first. Didn't think that was possible. Definitely the worst LC performance I have seen or heard EVER. Take your pick: the 26% from the field, the 20% from three, the 15 turnovers, or the 17 offensive rebounds allowed. Tillery and Papenfuss had ZERO points. Has to be the first time that has happened for both players. Rivera and Robinowitz had 2. 33 total points is just sad. I thought the Pios would be hungry coming off their PLU loss, but it was the opposite. They still haven't found their rythm and tonight proved it in a horribly bad, bad way.

[LCPios07]

Well, when you shoot 26%, get outrebounded by 23 and have 15 turnovers you are generally going to lose. Clearly, there is a big difference between being the surprise team (last year) and having the target on your back (this year). Luckily, nothing has been decided after three games, so hopefully the Pios can figure things out soon.
Looks as though Linfield gave the Loggers a scare...NWC is deep this season.

[Pio20]

The Pios are simply not playing up to expectations. As I said a while ago, instead of building on last year they have taken a step back. From an article I wrote in Novemeber:

"[Our #21 ranking] won't change us but will motivate opponents," said Head Coach Bob Gaillard. Junior guard Corey Allen expressed similar sentiments: "Last year, teams didn't have us marked on their calendars. This year we will probably be their most anticipated game in conference."

This has indeed been the case, and the Pios simply are not responding.
Last year they started 4-3 in conference before they reeled off nine straight wins. I don't know if they can do that again this season though. Maybe dropping out of the top 25 and into the bottom pack of the NWC will shake some life into the Pios.

[LogShow]

Wow i couldn't believe what i saw...LC whats going on.  Did they sleep walk through the game?

[LogShow]

Well, when you shoot 26%, get outrebounded by 23 and have 15 turnovers you are generally going to lose. Clearly, there is a big difference between being the surprise team (last year) and having the target on your back (this year). Luckily, nothing has been decided after three games, so hopefully the Pios can figure things out soon.
Looks as though Linfield gave the Loggers a scare...NWC is deep this season.

LC is a tough road infront of them...they still have to come to Tacoma to play UPS and lets not forget PLU.  In addition to playing WW, PLU, and UPS at home.  LC is in a very deep hole.

How does a team full of shooters shot that poorly? and the new post and tillery both had a goose egg?  Amazing...NWC is in for a crazy year!

[LogShow]

Well atleast the world is right in Tacoma...UPS had a tough challenge from Linfield tonight.  I don't really think that UPS had their best effort.  Seemed lazy and disinterested at times.  The press was pretty shakey, resulting in lots of lay-ups.  Not their best effort but good enough for a win.  UPS missed lots of easy lay-ups, and there were a few times that the post players were doubled/tripled teamed and should have kicked it out.  Surprisingly the ft shooting of the Loggers was sub-par too missing key freebies down the stretch.  But I guess I will take wins however UPS gets them!  4-0 feels pretty good!

[nwhoops1903]

Another year, hello to any and all regs and noobies.  Nice to finally see a Pioneer in here.

Great game for the Pirates Friday vs LC.  LC might have been cold or worse game ever or whatever but WW is a VERY good defensive team and winning in Spokane might just have become harder than ever. 

Fact:  The Pirates (8-3 overall, 2-1 NWC), came into the game leading the NWC in scoring defense, shooting percentage defense and rebounding margin.  If Pacific can score over 55 pts Sat.,  I will be surprised.

To win the NWC you got to go thru WW and UPS, no exceptions. 

[pineconefan]

Wow, what a first impression the Pirates were able to give the home fans last night.  This team will be alright.

Some observations: 

1.  My biggest concern about the Bucs heading into this year was point guard.  After eight straight seasons with great point guard play with Williams (Chase) and Williams (Bryan), the Pirates have at least two more with Ross  Nakamura.  When L&C tried to jump start its game last night with a full court press, Nakamura made them pay for it and that was when Whitworth pulled away.  Box score says 10 assists, one turnover.

2.  Nate Montgomery gives the Bucs a different look at post.  While not as physical as Hasenfus, he is far more athletic.  His dunk on the break last night was really impressive.

3.  Ryan Symes, when playing well, is the toughest match up in the league.  He can play big or small and is quicker than most who guard him.  But he is still susceptable to 1 for 11 shooting nights (see Willamette game).

4.  Colin Willemsen is the kind of player every coach loves, willing to do the dirty work of rebounding and defense.  He can pass and dribble, when necessary. 

5.  I want to see more of David Riley, the freshman who has had some big games for Whitworth so far.  He didn't have much impact last night, but he looks like he could be a player.

I would not be surprised if the Bucs have a little bit of a let down tonight against Pacific.  Kind of natural after a game like last night, especially with an early start.

[pineconefan]

Now on the L&C -

I have seen Bob G. bring some great Pioneer teams into the Fieldhouse.  Some of the battles when the teams were NAIA DII powers in the 1990s were amazing (like when Bigfella was playing).  The Scott Davis teams from 7-8 years ago were really good too with Spokane's own Mietus playing inside. 

I thought this year's squad would be right up there with those groups.  Now the Whitworth defensive effort was outstanding.  Every Pioneer shot was contested.  But after a while the frustration clearly settled on on this team and they started throwing up shots that made me shake my head.  Not necessarily long shots, but some really off-balance attempts that didn't seem to have much chance of going down. 

Right now it clearly seems to be a case of the whole being lesser than the sum of its parts.

[LogShow]

Pinecone, would you say that maybe the pressure and expectations are weighing heavy on the Pios?

[LogShow]

Tonights matchups:

Lewis & Clark at Whitman

Pacific (Ore.) at Whitworth

Willamette at Pacific Lutheran

George Fox at Linfield

[pineconefan]

"Pinecone, would you say that maybe the pressure and expectations are weighing heavy on the Pios?"

Logshow - hard to say.  It is a lot easier to try to read what's happening on the floor than figure what's going on inside the heads of the players.  However an observer decides to interpret the current play of the Pioneers, they are not playing up to the level they should be.

[Pio20]

The 33 points scored by the Pioneers was just two points off the lowest offensive totals in Pioneer history, a 40-31 loss to Pacific in 1949. 1-2 in conference hurts. Guess they better go undefeated in the rest of league play now!