MBB: Northwest Conference

Pugetsoundfan · February 24, 2009, 06:59:17 PM

I have to disagree with bbaddict....I do think that on a good night Whitworth can beat Puget Sound. They're stronger under the basket and if they make some 3s it's a great game. L&C? I think the Loggers defend the 3 so well that the Pios are going to have trouble there, and that LC is outquicked just about everywhere. Next year, maybe. This year, I think not.

Bearcat Press · February 24, 2009, 08:37:32 PM

By the way, official word is now out: Gordie James is stepping down as head coach at Willamette. Hopefully, I'll be doing an in-depth article for next week's paper - the news came out too late to make it into this week's edition. What a loss not only for the team, but for the entire Willamette community. Gordie James Court at Cone Field House, anyone?

http://www.willamette.edu/athletics/news/article/2009/02/head_coach_gordie_james_announces_his_retirement.xml

logshock101 · February 24, 2009, 10:30:26 PM

Gordie sure was a great coach, he always got the most out of his players, although i didnt know him, i certainly respect him. congrats on a great career Gordie!

UPS4Life · February 25, 2009, 03:00:12 AM

Quote from: Pugetsoundfan on February 24, 2009, 06:59:17 PM
I have to disagree with bbaddict....I do think that on a good night Whitworth can beat Puget Sound. They're stronger under the basket and if they make some 3s it's a great game. L&C? I think the Loggers defend the 3 so well that the Pios are going to have trouble there, and that LC is outquicked just about everywhere. Next year, maybe. This year, I think not.

Agreed, Whitworth is definitely capable of beating the Loggers. That said, I don't think they will, if the matchup happens of course, as the Loggers are just too strong at home with their crowd.

bbaddict · February 25, 2009, 12:00:42 PM

So, BearCatPress, what's the buzz about who will take over as coach of the Bearcats? Will it be one of the current assistants? Wing has been there as long as Gordie but it looked to me like he might be helping with the Women's program down the road. So, do tell, do you know something?

And, how does everyone see this shaking out?

Whitworth v Linfield
UPS v L&C

What's your picks?

LogShow · February 25, 2009, 12:16:46 PM

This is the best time of the year! Some big games tomorrow! 8)

89Pirate · February 25, 2009, 12:39:23 PM

Quote from: bbaddict on February 25, 2009, 12:00:42 PM
So, BearCatPress, what's the buzz about who will take over as coach of the Bearcats? Will it be one of the current assistants? Wing has been there as long as Gordie but it looked to me like he might be helping with the Women's program down the road. So, do tell, do you know something?

And, how does everyone see this shaking out?

Whitworth v Linfield
UPS v L&C

What's your picks?

I think we all know how these will turn out:

Whitworth over Linfield by 12
UPS over L&C by 17

After that - NO CLUE ! My Utopia would be Whitworth over UPS in the finale...

pineconefan · February 25, 2009, 01:03:51 PM

I think Coach James deserves a ton of praise for what he accomplished at Willamette and as one of the fixtures in the NWC, he will be greatly missed. I hope his retirement is all he hopes for.

As for potential internal candidates within the Bearcats' program, I think Ione is the strongest candidate. He's coached with James for several years, after playing in the program. More important, he is youthful and energetic enough to recruit and compete against the accomplished young coaches in our league (Hayford, Brideland, Lunt - to name three).

pineconefan · February 25, 2009, 01:06:45 PM

As for tomorrow's games -

Linfield still scares me as a Whitworth fan. The Wildcats are playing really well and the last meeting in the Fieldhouse was dead-even for 38 minutes. Other than a two-minute meltdown by Linfield in which Whitworth went on a 16-0 run.

I agree with other posters that L&C just doesn't match up well with UPS this year. The Pioneers would have to shoot the ball like they did during the first ten minutes at Whitworth throughout the whole game to have a chance.

Predictions:
Whitworth 84, Linfield 78
UPS 80, L&C 65

bbaddict · February 25, 2009, 03:06:32 PM

OK,someone has to be champion of the underdog & cheering section for the potential dark horse.

I'm taking L&C over UPS in an ugly OT game. It'll be full of action but the Pios will prevail.

Whitworth should win over Linfield, but again, it will be close. For some reason, the Wildcats seem to know how to play against the Pirates.

So, the Championship game will be L&C travelling back to Spokane to face Whitworth. But, UPS will still get into the tourney because they're ranked very high.

I agree with you, pineconefan, about Ione. However, don't we all just wonder how happy Bridgeland is in Walla Walla? Hmmm.....

Pio20 · February 25, 2009, 04:16:38 PM

I agree with others that if LC is going to beat UPS tomorrow they have to shoot like they did against WW. That was undoubtedly the best game they have played in conference. I don't know if they can do it two games in a row. But we will have to wait and see. I plan on making the trip up to Tacoma to see it live!

bbaddict · February 25, 2009, 06:25:16 PM

I dunno, Pio. I thought the game they played against Whitworth at home was a pretty good one -- they won by a bunch. Also, both their games against WU were only 2 point games, weren't they? Maybe I'm wrong on that one.

It just seems that at some point in the game, the Pios start hot dogging it and that's where it goes bad. When they stick with the plays and play together -- awesome. That's why I'm betting that they can beat UPS --- one night, one game. Not to say UPS won't go on to fields of glory . . .

89Pirate · February 25, 2009, 06:41:52 PM

Quote from: bbaddict on February 25, 2009, 06:25:16 PM
I dunno, Pio. I thought the game they played against Whitworth at home was a pretty good one -- they won by a bunch. Also, both their games against WU were only 2 point games, weren't they? Maybe I'm wrong on that one.

It just seems that at some point in the game, the Pios start hot dogging it and that's where it goes bad. When they stick with the plays and play together -- awesome. That's why I'm betting that they can beat UPS --- one night, one game. Not to say UPS won't go on to fields of glory . . .

I am with you, I would like L&C to win (making them come back to Spokane - me being selfish of course), and I think they can...but will they? Probably not.

LogShow · February 25, 2009, 07:51:52 PM

The UPS logshow train is rolling and it is going to take a monster game to stop it.

bbaddict · February 26, 2009, 12:06:00 AM

Oh, we all know the UPS train is rolling, but I still think that L&C can stop it. In UPS's past 4 games, the most they've won by is 12 and the least, 1 to WU. The significant game here is the one with WU, who they stomped earlier in the season. L&C has only lost to WU by 2, both very crazy, close games, one where the lights literally went out & they finished the game 2 days later. They're playing pretty well, even without Kollasch, so I don't think they'll just roll over for this one.

Yeah, L&C is the underdog, but who doesn't love an underdog. UPS is not unbeatable -- they lost 3 games in the preseason. They're due for another one -- that's all I'm saying. Could be wrong, but, hey, like a broken watch, I'm right at least twice a day.