MBB: Northwest Conference

[logshock101]

That was a pretty amazing game.   Great job, Pirates!  Hope Gebbers is OK after taking that wild, whapping elbow!  No call, though! 

thats funny that antwans elbow in on his head, must be right beneath the bandage that was used to stop the bleeding from his eyebrow...you know the funny thing about my back is that its located on my...not gonna finish that one, u all know how it goes

[logshock101]

Great game.  WW didn't get any crazy breaks, calls, or prayers answered, in fact, UPS had more go for them and yet WW's solid performance earned a convincing win.

What a joke. you musta been watching the same game as the officials, right from "jacks" back pocket...is that the best the NWC has to offer in terms of officiating? that was stupidiculous, idillogical and preposterageous, some might even say a travashamockery

[logshock101]

Two things....looking at the d3 projected brackets, UPS and WW slotted 4-5 in the west and headed for a first round rematch.  It's hard for me to believe that the committee would let that happen. 

You've obviously never heard of what I like to refer to as the "SCIAC Exception." The NCAA D-III championship handbook provides:

Teams from the same conference do not have to play one another in the first round as long as geographic proximity is maintained.

The NCAA selection committee's overriding concern is cost, otherwise known as "geographic proximity." Making UPS and Whitworth play each other in the first round is a money saver. Therefore, expect that to happen.

OxyBob

thats exactly right OB. uncle scrooge (the ncaa) is already cutting their costs at all division levels be hiring officials who might be suitable to ref, at best, 1st grade girls basketball. example: yesterday in the duke vs VT game i honestly think the duke player moved his pivot foot 12-18 inches from its original position w/o being called for a travel. hellen keller coulda made that call

[logshock101]

my only hope is that they send CMS up to spokane and have the winner take on the loggers. but who knows

[Pugetsoundfan]

Oxybob, thanks for the clarification of the rule.  It wouldn't be so tough, though  (say, in a nice place like Tacoma!), have WW and PS headed for a rematch on the second night. 

[80sshorts]

Having WW and UPS matchup in the 1st round would be a huge slap in the face to the NWC, especially UPS.  I guess going perfect in the regular season against Division III opponents doesn't count for anything

[bbaddict]

Oh, Whitworth & UPS probably won't face each other until the 2nd round.  They'll give UPS a bye & have Whitworth & probably someone from the SCIAC play, and then the winner from that game will play UPS (could be Whitworth).

As far as the reffing -- they were just baaad!  I could see non-calls, bad calls, and such both ways.  But there were some terrible fouls against Whitworth that just went uncalled and that offensive foul called on David Riley was just WRONG -- just wrong!

But, overheard in the Whitworth huddle, Coach Hayford, "I know the calls aren't going your way, but you just have to suck it up and take care of business!"  Refs don't determine games, determined players do.

[Buc Up]

It is difficult to listen to UPS fans complain about the officiating of any game.  I understand that there are poor calls that affect both teams throughout the course of the game.  There are even questionable calls that may go against UPS and seem very significant at that point of the game.  One needs to keep in mind when complaining that UPS gets screwed by the refs, is that they could call a hand check at any point on any UPS player and most of the time they don't.  They have their hands all over the ball handler.  When another player puts his hands on the dribbler the way UPS does, they are whistled for a foul.  Now I do give UPS credit for sticking with that defensive philosophy and using it too their advantage.  That is good coaching.  But to hear fans complain that refs were bad, is tough to listen too when being a fan of any other NWC team.

One thing that I question about UPS is do they ever change their game plan?  Or do they simply teach their system and stick to it no matter what?  There system obviously works very well and I give them a lot of credit for that.  However, are they capable of making adjustments?  Does Lunt mix things up or does he simply just manipulate the game through personnel changes.  Does he make adjustments the way other good coaches at this level do?  Please don't take these questions the wrong way.  I praise Lunt and his staff for getting a lot out of their players.  It seems that most of their work would be done in the preseason and in recruiting the right type of players to fit the system.  Once the season starts, do they just need to stay in good conditioning shape, work on ball handling and shooting.  Obviously they spend a lot of time on their press and guarding the ball, but do they switch things up?  Do they add new sets?  Do they look to see what the other teams do well and try and take that away?  Do they look at what the other team does poorly and try to exploit it?  I raise these questions because I wonder how far UPS can go and are they capable of playing their opponent or just playing their system (which they do very well).

With all this said, watching UPS play is a lot of fun and their style is very entertaining.  I like all the rah rah stuff and their ability to intimidate the other team.  I wish them luck in the tourney; of course except when/if they play Whitworth.

Any word on all league, poy/coy stuff yet?

[Pat Coleman]

Having WW and UPS matchup in the 1st round would be a huge slap in the face to the NWC, especially UPS.  I guess going perfect in the regular season against Division III opponents doesn't count for anything

The conference tournament is part of the regular season.

[bbaddict]

Having WW and UPS matchup in the 1st round would be a huge slap in the face to the NWC, especially UPS.  I guess going perfect in the regular season against Division III opponents doesn't count for anything

The conference tournament is part of the regular season.

Good Point, PC.  A few people in the NWC forget that because for a few short years, they discontinued the Conference Tournament & just had the top team be the AQ.  Much more interesting under the current system.

[80sshorts]

That is a good point.  Still it doesn't hurt to dream of a day when two NWC entrants could end up in opposite ends of the bracket

[OxyBob]

Oh, Whitworth & UPS probably won't face each other until the 2nd round.  They'll give UPS a bye & have Whitworth & probably someone from the SCIAC play, and then the winner from that game will play UPS (could be Whitworth).

You got it right! Claremont @ Whitworth, winner plays @ UPS. That's how it should be.

OxyBob

[bbaddict]

Like a broken watch, I'm right at least twice a day!      OxyBob, are you surprised that CMS travels to Whitworth and not the other way around?

[LogShow]

Congrats to the Loggers.  So, if they DO lose in the NWC playoffs, do you suppose we'd get two teams in the dance?

I think UPS has to get in at this point even if they lose in the NWC playoffs. But even if that happens and someone else wins the NWC title wouldn't it be likely that the first round NCAA game would be between the NWC champ and UPS anyway?

Just to be safe, I think UPS needs to win both games next weekend to be a sure shot pool C bid.  You are right they probably have it sealed up already.  Sorry to nitpick Pio, but UPS is the NWC champ...with the tournament champ still TBD.  If the Logs drop a game in the NWC tourney, allowing two NWC teams to get in the dance (in a long time) this is how I think it will play out.  Its a fact that the NWC teams wouldn't be able to avoid each other.  So assuming that the SCIAC only gets one team in, I think that the NCAA will make it a 3 team pod of the 2 NWC teams and the SCIAC team.  UPS would get the bye and then play the winner of the Thursday game on Saturday.  The only question is would the other NWC team get to host the first game, or should it just be played at UPS since the Saturday game will be played there. 

I do hope that if there is two NWC teams they get stuck in different pods, but I just don't seeing that happening.  The other thing I am almost willing to bet in is that UPS will be seeing UW-Stevens Point in the NCAA.  It would only fit for the selection commitee to match them up again in the sweet 16.  But I sure hope I am wrong.

Man it feels good being right...

[LogShow]

oh i didn't even look into the sectionals...UPS will be heading to UW-Stevens Points.  That's 2 for 2.   8) 

I am looking for some positives here after a disappointing weekend...