MBB: Northwest Conference

nwhoops1903 · January 13, 2008, 08:52:23 PM

Logshow I am glad you want very much to believe (you predicted Pac to win!?..stay away from Vegas) that WW is young and inconsistent and beatable at home, hopefully your team will have the same attitude at game time. A look at Linfield's record and schedule will show that they are much better team than anticipated, so the loss there on opening night can't raise any huge question mark.
Winning at Willamette is no picnic, especially since WW has never lost to WIL in Salem since Hayford arrived at WW. I doubt there is a streak WIL would like to end any more than that, so you know they get up for that game EVERY year.

As is typical, the winner of the first UPS WW matchup will be in the driver's seat. Should WW get by PLU Friday, PLU will drop to 2 loses and setup the big matchup Saturday. I doubt WH will upset UPS Friday, although I wish they somehow manage just that.

LogShow · January 14, 2008, 12:41:45 AM

I was simply thinking the WW might have a let down against Pac after their big win over LC, but the prediction was half-hearted at best. Hopefully you have a lucky hat for this weekend, because WW has the most daunting road for the NWC @PLU then UPS. Maybe you will find a genie in a lamp and get 3 wishes...That way you could wish for a win at PLU & UPS as well as when UPS comes to town for the second round. I really wouldn't overlook PLU, WW might head back to Spokane 3-3

NWCer · January 14, 2008, 12:53:19 AM

Logshow,

2 weeks in and your boys are sitting by themselves.......

PLU and Linfield seems to have taken the league by surprise, making multiple great/important/intriguing matchups every night. That's what makes league fun.

Still early though, my Boxers have two at home this weekend. With LC, UPS, and Whitworth already behind them for this round hopefully they can add a few victories before the turn. Looking forward to seeing Linfield, possibly at 4-1 if they win Tuesday against Willamette, coming in to Forest Grove on Friday.

LogShow · January 14, 2008, 12:54:24 AM

I am not sure how you could believe they are experienced. Symes and Willemson are the only two guy who played major minutes last year. Of the other 6 guys who average double digit mins 3 are freshman, 1 soph. a JC transfer and seldom used Jr. I will maybe give you the JC guy could have some experience, but not in the NWC, and he is definately no B. Willams. WW is tough at home, but I can see them struggling on the road. I am not saying that they are not talented, because they are, and I will give Hayford credit because I think he does a good job there. This road trip will be very telling about WW and what they have in the tank for this season.

LogShow · January 14, 2008, 12:59:51 AM

Quote from: NWCer on January 14, 2008, 12:53:19 AM
Logshow,

2 weeks in and your boys are sitting by themselves.......

PLU and Linfield seems to have taken the league by surprise, making multiple great/important/intriguing matchups every night. That's what makes league fun.

Still early though, my Boxers have two at home this weekend. With LC, UPS, and Whitworth already behind them for this round hopefully they can add a few victories before the turn. Looking forward to seeing Linfield, possibly at 4-1 if they win Tuesday against Willamette, coming in to Forest Grove on Friday.

NWCer, good to hear from you!

Yeah I am happy will UPS and where they are at...but I still think they need to continue to get better! I was hoping maybe your boxers could give WW a little bit of trouble, but maybe they were just saving it for when WW visits Forest Grove. Pac sure did have a tough early schedule, but they do have time to come around. I could see them in a close one against Linfield this weekend, they should match up well against them.

NWCer · January 14, 2008, 01:03:46 AM

I agree with you about this trip will tell you a lot about Whitworth, but looking at their schedule everyone will.......

They split the first one, which included a last possession score to send it to overtime at Willamette which they won

This weekend's looks very tough

Next round, even though they spanked LC and my Boxers this weekend, it will be a tough swing through Palatine Hill and the Grove.

Honestly, are there any easy trips?

Question for any former, or current NWC coaches or players who have been around a while, and of course anyone else who wants to chime in, year in and year out, where is the toughest place in the conference to get a win?

LogShow · January 14, 2008, 01:06:59 AM

Quote from: NWCer on January 14, 2008, 01:03:46 AM

Honestly, are there any easy trips?

hmmmm....nope!

NWCer · January 14, 2008, 01:08:56 AM

I agree Logshow

LogShow · January 14, 2008, 01:22:42 AM

I always like to chime in...As far as toughest place to play:

Over the past few years UPS has had a good run. Going back and looking at their results since 2003-04. That year they lost @Wilamette.
04-05 lost @G. Fox
05-06 lost @Wilamette and @WW
And I will conviently leave out last year (Pac, Wil, G. Fox, and LC)

So I think that I would have to go with
1) UPS--Had a streak of 32 straight. only lost one conference game @ home in the past 3.5 years.
2) Wilamette--I don't know what it is but UPS has tough games there. won 3 out of last 4 years
3) WW--even though UPS has had lots of success there
4) Tough to decide Linfield, LC, Pac, and G. Fox--all pretty equal
5) PLU--crosstown rival, and a program that is improving
5) Whitman--they are no push over

LogShow · January 14, 2008, 01:23:29 AM

anyone else?

NWCer · January 14, 2008, 01:26:30 AM

Thanks for the breakdown. Yeah, they all sound tough. I need to get to more games outside of the Grove, only other places I've been to is Lewis and Clark and Linfield.

pineconefan · January 14, 2008, 01:35:33 AM

"WW is tough at home, but I can see them struggling on the road."

Logshow - Certainly the advantage of playing the first ten games away from home this season means the Pirates are road tested.

But you are correct, the fact that the team has four new starters this season has lead to inconsistent play. Losses against Chapman and Linfield bear that out. BUT as the season goes on, that inconsistency will diminish as these players gain more and more experience.

pineconefan · January 14, 2008, 01:42:37 AM

As far as toughest places to play, that can be answered two ways.

First - historically over the last 12 years (since the current make up of the league)
1. Whitworth - consistently biggest crowds and toughest teams
2. Willamette - Gordie gets em ready to play
3. George Fox - Especially on homecoming weekend
4. Linfield - students could be rowdy when team is playing well

Second - currently
1. UPS - tough style, good crowd
2. Whitworth - see above
3. Willamette - see above
4. Lewis & Clark - students actually starting to show interest

Pio20 · January 14, 2008, 02:14:07 AM

I can only speak for the places I have been, which include Linfield, Whitworth, and obviously LC. Linfield crowd was small when I went there for their game against LC last season, but they were definitely into it. Whitworth obviously had a huge turnout since it was the conference championship, but I will say that the six of us Pio fans that made the trip certaintly equaled the Whitworth noise. As for LC, with increased winning come increased fan turnout and I can certaintly say that last season and this one have seen a bigger, more intense student section.

LCPios07 · January 14, 2008, 03:12:00 AM

Quote from: Pio20 on January 14, 2008, 02:14:07 AM
I can only speak for the places I have been, which include Linfield, Whitworth, and obviously LC. Linfield crowd was small when I went there for their game against LC last season, but they were definitely into it. Whitworth obviously had a huge turnout since it was the conference championship, but I will say that the six of us Pio fans that made the trip certaintly equaled the Whitworth noise. As for LC, with increased winning come increased fan turnout and I can certaintly say that last season and this one have seen a bigger, more intense student section.

Coincidentally, the only three places I have been are Linfield, WW and LC. I was actually impressed w/ Linfield, considering they were having a bad year the student section was really into it, much better crowd than LC had 3-4 years ago. Honestly, considering it was the conference championship I thought WW was fairly weak...the gym is pretty small and it wasn't full by any means. The LC crowds for the two UPS games at the end of last season were definitely louder and had more energy. But to be fair, if LC isn't winning and contending for a championship then we probably have the deadest gym in the NWC.