MBB: Northwest Conference

[UPS4Life]

As for this weekend, I was thinking Scenario 4 mostly because it's the only that allows the Bearcats to split and still make it.  Of course, I'd like for nothing more than for UPS to come in overconfident . . .

Unfortunately for WU, I don't think that will happen.  Not saying WU can't win, but if they do, I don't think it will be because UPS is overconfident.  The Loggers have looked extremely mature and focused this season, never underestimating any of their opponents and not looking surprised or shocked when down.  For example, this past weekend when Whitman had a 9-19 lead and a 2 point lead at half time, the Loggers didn't look frustrated, they just went to the locker room and made the half time adjustment.  This has been the case this entire impressive season.

[bbaddict]

Oh, I don't think you're overconfident, Logs, you have a solid basis for your confidence in your team.  I'm just stubborn & refuse to give up unless I have to!  Besides, we play the game to see who will win--otherwise, we'd just vote or take a poll, right?

And UPS4Life, I want  "the real UPS" to show up.   I just want the Bearcat team that knows how to win to also show up -- then we'll have a game worth watching and the outcome may surprise you.  They're fierce rodent type creatures when they work together.

[bbaddict]

So, who's going to win tonight?  Here's what I say:

UPS @ Pacific -- UPS but it will be a good game
WU @ Fox -- Willamette by 5, because God still loves them
PLU @ Linfield -- probably Linfield but I'd like to see PLU win it!
L&C @ Whitman -- Very close game, if Whitman plays like they did against Whitworth, they'll win it

So, what does everybody else think?

[Bearcat Press]

Willamette played really well tonight, IMO.  If they play that well tomorrow, they've got a shot.  Not a great shot, but a shot.  McClary was on fire the whole game - 23 points on 10-15 shooting - and Mitchell had 24 points with 21 rebounds.  Quote of the night from Assistant Coach Kip Ioane on Mike Allegre's postgame show:

"You can't have 14 turnovers against George Fox and expect to compete with Puget Sound."

The Bearcats clinched their first winning season since 2005-06, but if we do fall short tomorrow night, I think everyone's going to be wondering what the season might have been like had this team turned on the jets two or three weeks ago.

[LogShow]

I liked Kip's unintentional jab at GFU, lol.

[LogShow]

Chalk up another win for the Logs...15-0.  Almost there!

[Pio20]

Wow this could get complicated. I was going through the scenarios tomorrow and realized that much of the seeding will depend on what the lower half of the league does because if there are any ties that can't be determined by head-to-head competition then seeding depends on results against conference teams from last place up.

[bbaddict]

The Bearcats clinched their first winning season since 2005-06, but if we do fall short tomorrow night, I think everyone's going to be wondering what the season might have been like had this team turned on the jets two or three weeks ago.

So, BearcatPress, you need to do some research.  Where were you last year 2007-08 when WU finished 9-7 and won all the tie-breakers to be in third place and the NWC playoffs?   In fact, the only seasons in the last 10 years that they haven't had "winning seasons" has been 2000-01 and 2006-07, both rebuilding years.

There were quite a few turnovers tonight, but it was a great game!  I think they'll give UPS a run for their money tomorrow night and then we all have to hope that the Boxers get it done in McMinnville.  Go Boxers!

(Of course, the prize is another game at UPS . . . hmmm.)

So, who thinks L&C will beat Whitworth on Sunday?  

Pio20 -- Descending order means you start at the top.  Starting at the bottom would be ascending rank order.  If WU beats UPS -- that breaks any ties with Linfield cuz no one else has beaten UPS this year.  Then it's all about who's in 2nd, 3rd & 4th because UPS is obviously in 1st.

[bbaddict]

BTW I didn't hear any "God still loves you" chants at Fox tonight.   Did I miss something?

[Pio20]

Pio20 -- Descending order means you start at the top.  Starting at the bottom would be ascending rank order.  If WU beats UPS -- that breaks any ties with Linfield cuz no one else has beaten UPS this year.  Then it's all about who's in 2nd, 3rd & 4th because UPS is obviously in 1st.

Oh yeah! Now I remember. I always think it is from the bottom up because of what happened to LC a couple of years ago when they lost the tiebreaker to WW for first place. But that was because the tie was for first place so there were no teams ahead of them.

[bbaddict]

Pio20 -- Descending order means you start at the top.  Starting at the bottom would be ascending rank order.  If WU beats UPS -- that breaks any ties with Linfield cuz no one else has beaten UPS this year.  Then it's all about who's in 2nd, 3rd & 4th because UPS is obviously in 1st.

Oh yeah! Now I remember. I always think it is from the bottom up because of what happened to LC a couple of years ago when they lost the tiebreaker to WW for first place. But that was because the tie was for first place so there were no teams ahead of them.

Yeah, I remember that, too.   And, actually I think it used to be the other way around -- ascending order and they changed it.   Someone like Steve Flegel will know the answer to that one.  My brain doesn't keep stuff like that!

If Linfield wins against Pacific, Willamette is out no matter what.  So, once again -- GO Boxers!

[nwhoops1903]

I am going to go out on a limb here and say that I think LC will NOT win Sunday.  WW can get the magic 20 wins and earn a home game.  That's plenty of incentive.  I understand the game is Sunday because LC had the option of Sat night or Sunday and chose an extra day of rest.  Didn't know the option existed but this what I have discovered.  Can't blame LC for not wanting to travel and play sames day, get an extra day of rest, more prep time, smaller crowd potential.....

[Bearcat Press]

The Bearcats clinched their first winning season since 2005-06, but if we do fall short tomorrow night, I think everyone's going to be wondering what the season might have been like had this team turned on the jets two or three weeks ago.

So, BearcatPress, you need to do some research.  Where were you last year 2007-08 when WU finished 9-7 and won all the tie-breakers to be in third place and the NWC playoffs?   In fact, the only seasons in the last 10 years that they haven't had "winning seasons" has been 2000-01 and 2006-07, both rebuilding years.

There were quite a few turnovers tonight, but it was a great game!  I think they'll give UPS a run for their money tomorrow night and then we all have to hope that the Boxers get it done in McMinnville.  Go Boxers!

(Of course, the prize is another game at UPS . . . hmmm.)

So, who thinks L&C will beat Whitworth on Sunday?  

Pio20 -- Descending order means you start at the top.  Starting at the bottom would be ascending rank order.  If WU beats UPS -- that breaks any ties with Linfield cuz no one else has beaten UPS this year.  Then it's all about who's in 2nd, 3rd & 4th because UPS is obviously in 1st.

My research is fine - Willamette finished 9-7 in conference last year, but were 2-7 in the non-conference schedule.  From the conference website:

2006-07: 10-15, 6-10 NWC
2007-08: 11-15, 9-7 NWC
2008-09: 12-10, 8-7 NWC

I'm glad to know that we quieted down the Bruins faithful.  Their broadcasters (I was watching their video stream) mentioned that it was their homecoming weekend - all the better!

[Pugetsoundfan]

I saw WW and LC in Tacoma this year, admittedly LC early in the conference season.  Both teams are well-coached.  I thought that WW's starting 5 looked better than LC's by quite a bit.  Tough game for LC in Spokane, I think--it'd be fun to see.   

[LogShow]

(Of course, the prize is another game at UPS . . . hmmm.)

You wouldn't want that reward?