MBB: Northwest Conference

[PSfan]

One more note about the Northwest/Puget Sound game.   The Loggers did not begin to crawl back into the game until they scrapped the full court pressure several minutes into the second half.  The press was not effective (note that N. only turned it over 13 times, equal to Puget Sound's total)--except that it may have worn down the opposition physically opening the way for the last push.  Levin going nuts with 3s didn't hurt, either!

[NWCer]

Any reports from any of the games last night?  I had planned on going to the Grove to watch my Boxers, but my wife wouldn't let me go!  She had a freezing rain accident back in the day and now she won't let neither of us drive in it! 

Looks like once again there were a lot of points scored as well as a lot givin up by Pac.  Neither is typical of the recent past. 

[TryMeTeam]

NWCer:

I caught the second half of the game after work.  I thought the Boxers did a pretty good job, better than the last time I saw them play.  Concordia has some pretty athletic guys (I think I saw about 4 dunks in a 5 minute span), and PU hung with them.  Two FR were especially impressive, hitting 6 of 12 from the 3 including a 3 at the buzzer to send the game into overtime by McElwee.  Wester was impressive, too, with more poise than a FR should have.  Add Bartlett and LeMar on the front line and the other Bartlett when he gets more healthy, and you have the makings of a pretty good team.  Right now, I would have to rank them above Linfield who struggled against Concordia (although without Wiser). 

PU's movement on offense created a lot of open shots, and seemed to confuse Con.  They penetrated and kicked it out for wide open 3's time after time.  Their zone defense seemed to give Con problems.  Just a good all-around game, even though it was a loss.   

[NWCer]

Thanks TMT,

I saw Concordia's record was pretty good, good to see my Boxers going up and down with them.

Good that you thought their offense was impressive, like I said earlier scoring that many points hasn't been typical of them. 

What do you think has been the difference on offense, you would think with the loss of Howe my Boxers would struggle to score points this year, but it doesn't seem like the case.

[pineconefan]

A nice win for Whitworth at NAIA Div. I Montana Tech today.  The Bucs seem to be coming around.

Tough to look at the conference standings at this point and see seven teams with losing records.

[nwhoops1903]

A nice win for Whitworth at NAIA Div. I Montana Tech today.  The Bucs seem to be coming around.

Tough to look at the conference standings at this point and see seven teams with losing records.

Yes, WW wins by 19.  The 2 big guys go 10-11.  Outside shooting woes continue...poor 3 pt shooting is not a recipe for winning and yet this game was never in question.  Weird.

[TryMeTeam]

I thought Whitworth didn't schedule Cal Tech this year, but I was wrong:  They changed their name to N Central.  Watching the game on the internet, and it is half time.  I am not sure I can watch any more of this.  I was eager to get a good look at WW, but how can you tell anything about them when the opponent is a high school team.  Sorry, maybe it just is the poor resolution of the internet feed.

17 point spread and it should be more thanks to 10, mostly unforced, turnovers. 

Okay, I can see some good play and potential from WW, I was just hoping for a much better game.  Maybe next time, 12/27 against Stout.   

Oh well, I guess I will get to bed early tonight.  I don't think N Central ever got out of bed today.  Talk about sleepwalking.

Enough!

[TryMeTeam]

NWCer:

Since you and I were the only ones with the pre-league predictions, any changes in your order from what you have seen and heard so far?

You go first this time.

[NWCer]

I've only seen 2 games this year, both Pacific home games.  Linfield seems a little banged up, LC had their suspension thing, UPS looks like they have a brutal schedule, Whitman looks like they have an easy schedule, so I really don't know, nothing that can make me change my original predictions.

What about you TMT?

[pineconefan]

NWCer:

Since you and I were the only ones with the pre-league predictions, any changes in your order from what you have seen and heard so far?

You go first this time.

Top Three Teams:
1. Whitworth (returns 1st Team All-NWC David Riley, probable All-NWC post Nate Montgomery).
2.  Linfield (returns stong post - Wiser - and scoring guard - Tesoro).
3.  Puget Sound (A. Boyce, Heyman).

Possible wildcards:
1. Whitman
2. Lewis & Clark
3. Pacific

At this point - no changes

[TryMeTeam]

Sorry PCfan, you did have a prediction in, and I have it down too.  

NWCer, I have made more games this year than years past as I am single now and have more time.  I have soured a lot on Linfield, a little on Whitworth and upgraded a lot on UPS.  Whitman just confuses me.  And I have some good feelings about LC.  So my list would probably be altered a fair amount.

For LC, Hollins has been huge for them, and the word I got is that Edwards has POY capabilities.  Add a healthy Kollasch and all of the teams are going to have match up problems with those 3.  Then throw Taylor and the Hawaiian in the mix draining 3's,  3 decent bigs (that may be a stretch), and a weaker than expected WW and Linf, and I have a new #1.

Gotta have WW still up there.  They still did some good things in their last game that was on the internet against a high school team, but their struggles and lossed against other teams make them my #2 pick.

I still think Whitm will be very tough as they get acclimated to Bridgeland's system although they looked out of sync at time against the HS team they played after WW.  I have them at #3.  This one is more of a hunch than a strong feeling, and I would be real upset if I didn't go with it now if they do come through.

UPS will battle all of the above a lot harder than I gave them credit for before, but battling in the pre-league and in conference are two different things.  Shelton has been better than expected as has Koach, Boyce and Heyman about what expected and Levin up and down.  The newbies have not stepped up from what I can see from OR, but the team has definitely played better than I thought.  #4 for them.

Linfield at #5, Pac at #6 and PLU at #7 are just plain guesses, and could and will finish in any order here.  Linfield has play some tough teams and taken their lumps, especially with Wiser out.  So their record is skewed.  Pac has played an average schedule with some tough teams and some weak ones, and have played better as of late, but there is still some questions there.  PLU could be the surprise of the coach's poll and finish much higher with almost everyone back and no Dressler to take so many shots.  

Fox and Wil will battle for the cellar with Fox playing much better than I thought and Wil playing somewhat better.  Fox has some nice additions to their team and a lot returning, so I will give them the nod at #8.  Wil  has Mitchell who has POY potential, but little else.  I have heard they are running a whole different offense this year, scrapping the flex and going to more motion, but that will take a long time to come around with so many new faces, so #9.

Scheduling may play a role this year, too.  The Whit's will make for a tough weekend for the rest of the league at home or on the road.  LC has Wil as their partner this year, UPS and PLU are together, Fox and Pac team up, and Linf is by themselves.  So only the Whit's make for a truly tough 2-game series.  Advantage, the Whit's.

We probably are doing this a little early.  The games next week could tell a lot about how the teams will do.  I might want a muligan after I see what happens.    

[nwhoops1903]

Big pair of games for WW today and Tuesday.  Go Bucs!!

WW up 70-53 with 15:00 to play

Pirates stretch the lead and cruise to a comfortable win.

Tuesday night at 7 will be a big challenge and hopefully a good way to see how much WW has improved since the opener vs Point.

[nwhoops1903]

Whitman plays a great game and barely loses to Wisc Whitewater.  Could Whitman please find a poster!

[TryMeTeam]

Okay, I just knew when I was writing that last post prediction that I should have been waiting for this week's games.  Now I look like an idiot.

Absolutely great win by Whitworth tonight against WiscW.  I watched a bunch of that game, and they just dominated the #3 team in the nation.  They are the #1 team in the NWC!!!!!

LC blows its second game in a row, losing by 1 to Calvin and in OT to Plattville.  They may be my #4 team right now. 

GF gets a real whopping at River Falls.  I listened to that game until I couldn't any more. 

I need about 3 mulligans! 

[nwhoops1903]

Whitworth shows some toughness and defeats Wisconsin Whitewater 94-84.  Impressive stat is only 3 turnovers all game by Pirates.  11-21 from 3 point.  NICE!!!!