MBB: Northwest Conference

fosheezie · January 04, 2006, 11:18:37 PM

Hey just a shout out to Coach Jason Lowery at Pacific. Having already gotten more wins than last year's total, here's to the team getting some wins in a tough conference! Go Frankenberry!

blackhawks4 · January 06, 2006, 11:55:17 PM

halftime with ups-fox 50-45 ups. wow fox guards look good handling the pressure especially #24, and not hesitating on 3s. and their bigs are on the o boards. they look very good. antwon williams had a huge 1st half for ups, I'm guessing 17.. schmick looks really cute putting 3 fingers up after every 3 and flopping all over the court. talk about a player thinking he's better than he is. game could easily go either way.

blackhawks4 · January 07, 2006, 01:14:20 AM

loggers beat a GOOD fox team tonight. mcvey is sooo dominating, and curtiss always seems to come up with the big play. nobody could stay with antwan williams, he got into the paint whenever he wanted. good to see the freshmen step up in the big game, and act like he's made big plays before. It's easy to perform well in first half, no pressure. would have been better game had "superstar" shown up in second half.

Mr. Ypsi · January 07, 2006, 01:16:13 AM

Quote from: David Collinge on January 02, 2006, 09:53:14 PM
Yspi, I just found out today that Lawrence was in Orange County (I guess I should say they were "in the O.C.," if I want to sound like a true Angelino! ) last week. I wish I'd known; Costa Mesa isn't the most convenient place to get to from the Valley (like, y'know), but I'd have made the trip to get a look at a top 10 team. After all, Santa Barbara isn't convenient either, but I made that trip to see #1 play #5!

Sorry to note this post so belatedly.

At the risk of messing you up with your NEW homeboys, you'll always be an Ohio-based Wolverine to me!

I hope you'll vote on the Posters' Poll - you may note that you were ONE of the reasons I didn't go with the regional-based voting.

David Collinge · January 07, 2006, 01:42:06 AM

Quote from: Mr. Ypsi on January 07, 2006, 01:16:13 AM
I hope you'll vote on the Posters' Poll - you may note that you were ONE of the reasons I didn't go with the regional-based voting.

Maybe you should reconsider the regional voting, then, because I'm going to take a pass on the poster's poll. Thanks anyway.

Congrats to UPS on getting off on the right NWC foot tonight.

bearcatsfan3 · January 09, 2006, 02:33:20 PM

UPS handles Fox, and Whitworth it looks like took the woodshed to Willamette in the second half...although Bearcats (from what radio said) were very good in the 2nd half saturday, pulling out a win they had to have...

Whitman sounds much improved, and could be a contender for that 3rd spot...

Another big weekend this week:

Whitworth @ UPS: Don't know if Whitworth has enough ball handlers to beat Loggers in Tacoma, although Pecht, Tucker, and Hasenfus are a formidable frontline that can bang with McVey...Williams probably needs to bring an oxygen tank with him for that game

Whitman @ UPS: A lot will be said for Whitman if they can hold their own in that game

Fox and Willamette both appear to have winnable games (Pacific and Linfield for WU, with LC and Linfield for Fox), so they should (notice the word SHOULD) be 5-1 in league after this weekend...I will say that Lowery has the boxers playing great d, and they are always tough at home, no matter the record

Early POY candidate: Olinger, WU-league's leading scorer, and is ranked, according to the WU site, in a lot of categories statistically. (Calm down BHawk, everyone is keenly aware that McVey and Curtiss are also POY candidates)

Himjay23 · January 14, 2006, 04:37:04 AM

Quick observations:

Whitworth has shown, especially after friday's game, that they are a strong #2 in the league and most games between them and UPS would be a toss-up.

GFU is really struggling and will have to get hot if they want a chance at the third seed.

Most teams (PLU the exception) are all matched somewhat evenly as far as talent goes, giving anyone a chance for an upset on any given night.

Player of the year looks like a battle between Curtiss, McVey, Pecht, and Olinger at this point, with the slight edge going to McVey.

blackhawks4 · January 14, 2006, 11:32:12 PM

"Whitworth has shown, especially after friday's game, that they are a strong #2 in the league and most games between them and UPS would be a toss-up."

"Most teams (PLU the exception) are all matched somewhat evenly as far as talent goes, giving anyone a chance for an upset on any given night."

Hmmmmmm... Spoke too soon.

Whitworth is a decent team and I expect them to join Fox in the playoffs, but a game between them and UPS a tossup? Granted UPS hasn't been playing its best lately, but they're still winning! The Loggers would beat Whitworth 9 times out of 10, and have won the last five matchups. Whitworth does put a solid five or six out there but after that they drop off. Pecht is a good player, but not a conference MVP, I'd take 2 players on his team over him.

Whitman is improved, and Matt Kelly is definitely a 1st teamer.

Chase Curtiss for MVP

Himjay23 · January 15, 2006, 10:19:42 AM

Wow, I'm just stunned at this point. The only thing I can say would be that Whitworth is a team that plays to the level of the competition. Also, I guess I discounted PLU a little bit. This does, however, back up my theory that anyone can beat anyone in this league on any given night. I still have to dissagree with you about how UPS would win 9 or 10 times. They are deeper, as you stated, but Whitworths top five is more talented then UPS' . Talent, however, does not necessarily win you games and UPS just plays better team ball.

blackhawks4 · January 15, 2006, 05:03:06 PM

Himjay you're just diggin yourself a bigger ditch! Nobody on this board will agree with you that Whitworths top five is more talented than UPS!!! As I've said time and time again McVey and Curtiss are far and away the two best players in the league.

McVey or Pecht...McVey

Curtiss or take your pick...Curtiss

Taylor Marsh or Young...both strictly shooters but Marsh has more 3's at about the same percentage. He also plays 15 less minutes per game!! Marsh doesn't even startand he's more effective than Young!

Antwon Williams is a leader in nearly every statistical conference category (11.8 ppg, 55% from the floor, 3.3 assists, 89% ft, 1.8 stls, 54% from 3, 3.3 assists and 1.1 to/ ast ratio) Brian Williams avg's 2 more assists and his ratio is .7 better but where is he in every other statistical category?? Statistically this is a no brainer! And I'm a Brian Williams fan, I think he's a good player. But I'd take Antwon any day, not to mention the fact that he sliced Brian Williams up in Tacoma, getting into the paint at will while Brian played very poorly in the first half.

Pecht (at the 4) would be the only player who has a chance to start at UPS!!

The game in Spokane will be interesting. Always a long tough road trip.

My all conference team right now is
curtiss mvp
mcvey
kelley wmn
olinger will
pecht ww
schmick fox

Watch for Williams and Foster for UPS, both talented freshmen starters.

Any other freshmen contributors to watch for?

Watch out for willamette, 5-1, nobodys really talkin about them. UPS plays there this weekend, could be UPS's toughest game of year in toughest place to play in league.

Who's seen them play (wu) and how are they???

Himjay23 · January 15, 2006, 06:27:55 PM

I'm going to agree to disagree. Other freshman standouts include David Berggren at LC (14 ppg), Josh Dressler at PLU (14 ppg, 18 ppg in league) and Chris Faidley at Whitman (10 ppg). Willamette is a typical bearcat team this year. They have aggressive, fundamentel players that all run james' offense well. They have a few big bodies with Mansfield, Luchterhand, and Garrelts who can crash the boards and finish around the rim. They are not very athletic though, and they don't have a lot of quickness.

bearcatsfan3 · January 17, 2006, 12:48:59 PM

Big game in Salem Friday night, with the #1 Loggers and #2 Bearcats squaring off...

Couple of questions entering game:

1. Willamette's system vs. UPS' system...half court execution vs. up tempo...James vs. Bridgeland...exciting to see which team can force the other to play at their speed...no one has been able to slow UPS down all year (with the exception of maybe IWU)
2. Olinger vs. Curtiss...two POY candidates, who are the keys to both their teams
3. With UPS style of play, which team will be able to capitalize at the FT line?

4. How can Willamette compete, what with a UPS team that apparently should just scrimmage itself...maybe the only hope for the 'Cats lies in their "drawbridge style hoops"...perhaps Blackhawks can enlighten us on these particular points...

(Williams vs. Williams debate was interesting...must remember BW is the SOLE ball handler for his team, and is asked to play a distributor's role...AW shares duties in the Loggers system, and has much more freedom to score...AW has only 3 fewer turnovers than BW, despite the fact BW leads the league in minutes and is charge of their offense) Marsh vs. Young is interesting in that in UPS system, Marsh gets quite a few more OPEN looks than Young (hence the higher percentage) but Young, despite being the obvious shooter on that squad, still has made 47 to 42 threes, and hitting 42%...much harder to get off and make three's in a half court set than in transition when you're open...All these players are very good, and the argument itself seems a bit silly, as each fanbase SHOULD take their own player...)

Willamette seems to be playing well right now, and if they have any title hopes, have to beat the Loggers in Salem...looking forward to a week of talk on the board...

piofan · January 17, 2006, 01:52:32 PM

Big game on Saturday in Salem...and I miss the game by one crappy day coming home from overseas....anyone that sees the game, would love to know your thoughts. My first game will be LC vs Willamette on Tuesday....which should be no contest for the bearcats (really kills me considering they didnt have a chance 7 years ago....hahahaha). Jon O is a hella of player...cant wait to see him in action personally..........

blackhawks4 · January 18, 2006, 12:22:34 AM

Gladly Bearcats,

First of all, good post on ww vs. ups players, and I didn't even mention Delong at pg for UPS averaging 4 assists per game.

On to Salem, Willamette is not going to try to slow UPS down. They'll play at UPS's speed and try to capitalize on easy layups after breaking the press. In the half court they'll spread the court and try take advantage of UPS overcommiting. You're not going to see a slow paced game.

And Bearcats you are EXACTLY right. You're only hope lies in your drawbridge style hoops!!! And Coach James seeming to have the officials wrapped around his finger over there (not that he shouldn't, i agree, he's a good coach who gets the most out of his teams). But I mean honestly, you've only lost by a combined 54 points in 2 years in Tacoma!

Would have been nice to see Curtiss, with a combined 61 points get the Player of the Week last week. But I guess it just sets the stage for Olinger vs. Curtiss right??? I've never seen Olinger play so I'm interested to see if he'll live up to this POTY hype.

UPS scrimmaging itself...not a bad idea. Really? 30-2 past two years. What 46-2, 45-3, at the worst 44-4 in 3 years Including this one, 3 straight conference titles.

I hope this board fires some of your guys up, I'm thinking of making the trip and wanna see WU bring their best shot. Let's see what UPS has got huh?

bearcatsfan3 · January 18, 2006, 11:08:15 AM

If you're referring to this season, combined with the last two, then UPS IS an amazing 36-2...however, if you're "past three years" comment includes the two titles and the year prior, then you're back down to 37-11, because I'd imagine that 7-9 campaign was nothing to write home about...

The Bearcats have been blown out in Tacoma (looking at the archives, they were ugly losses)...but the Loggers lost in Salem to the Bearcats in '04 didn't they? One of those "2" losses was to the Drawbridgers...

Olinger has been snubbed himself in the POTW this season, his time was past due when he got the award this week...

I do agree, however, when you say the tempo will not be slow...from their scores, it seems the Loggers are too good a team to give up their pace to opponents...

It'd be nice if there were some other posters from the two schools on here, aside from Bhawks and myself, who are just a couple of old (well, in my case, old) players stuck in the stands...Hope you can get down BHawks, it will hopefully be a good crowd and atmosphere (my experience at the WU-PLU game in Salem was okay, not great)...