MBB: Northwest Conference

[(509)Rat]

If it's any consolation to our one Whitman poster. Had the Missionaries made the tourney, and played Whitworth's schedule so far, I'd bet they'd still be in it. Of the two opponents, neither one of them was any better than Bridgeland's team in Walla Walla.

Wooster, however, looked very good tonight. Don't expect 90 points out of either team tomorrow, but Whitworth has their work cut out for 'em. Hopefully they can quiet the crowd early and the refs call the game more like the Wooster v Cabrini night cap.

[nwhoops1903]

Pirates have their hands full tomorrow.  Really liked how Riley played aggressive on the offensive side and Wade Gebbers showed so much.  Freidt and Loofburrow will need to play the best defense they have played all year tomorrow and stay out of foul trouble.  Taylor?, best player in the gym tonight and showed it.

[D O.C.]

Come on, rats, show 'em what you're made of! Do it!

[oldchap]

If it's any consolation to our one Whitman poster. Had the Missionaries made the tourney, and played Whitworth's schedule so far, I'd bet they'd still be in it. Of the two opponents, neither one of them was any better than Bridgeland's team in Walla Walla.

First of all, had Whitman won the NWC and therefore made the playoffs, Whitworth would have also made it through a Pool C bid. Knowing the NCAA, they would have played each other again in the first round, then the winner would have played Chapman. Without a bye in the first round, you would have seen a much closer game in the second round and would have had a different opinion of how good Chapman really is. In the unlikely event that the NCAA had decided on a 4 pod in Spokane, then it would have been Whitworth vs. Redlands and Whitman vs. Chapman, with the winners playing each other in the second round. I don't think Redlands would have won. As for Whitman they are an excellent team but Chapman is no slouch either and arguably better according to the regional rankings.

In any case, your comments are purely speculative and frankly down right condescending. We know you guys have an excellent team (we'll know whether you're the best next weekend) but show a little grace an humility towards the opponents you've just beaten.

[(509)Rat]

Without a bye in the first round, you would have seen a much closer game in the second round and would have had a different opinion of how good Chapman really is

In any case, your comments are purely speculative

What does that make your comment above?

...and frankly down right condescending. We know you guys have an excellent team (we'll know whether you're the best next weekend) but show a little grace an humility towards the opponents you've just beaten.

Is this a joke? It has nothing to do with being condescending or lacking any grace/humility. It's an opinion. I've seen multiple Chapman games. I've seen several Whitman games. I think Whitman would beat you guys. So I guess I'm missing your point? I think Whitman could have beaten Marietta as well. Should their fans be as butt hurt as you are?

If Chapman played an NWC schedule my opinion is that they'd be battling with LC/Whitman/PLU for a conference tourney spot. They could come in 2nd, they could come in 5th.  You don't have to agree. I wouldn't expect you to. But I wouldn't come on here and complain about your demeanor for having a different opinion. That's almost as classy as the genital touching some of your fans like to direct at the opposing students.

[oldchap]

Whitman beating Chapman and Marietta = your opinion

Massey Ratings:
Whitworth #1
Marietta #13
Chapman #17
Whitman #25

NCAA regional rankings:
West:
Whitworth #1
Chapman #4
Whitman #7

Great Lakes:
Marietta #2

d3hoops Top 25:
Whitworth #1
Marietta #11
Chapman #12
Whitman: didn't get any votes

Posters poll:
Whitworth #1
Marietta #11
Chapman #14
Whitman: didn't get any votes.

These are facts. And while any team can beat any other team on a given day, you'd be hard pressed to backup your opinion with anything else but your own bias.

[(509)Rat]

lol, regional rankings are based largely on W-L record. Chapman's would be worse if they played in the NWC...they'd lose to Whitworth twice.

Pollster's poll, a bunch of guys who haven't seen all of those teams played. A lot of it is based on W-L, box scores, and historical conference strength.

Those polls are just as much opinion as my personal opinion. Nothing you posted was "fact"...rankings never are. They are simply someone else's opinion.

If Chapman had lost a couple more games to a team that was better then them (let's say Whitworth), would they still be ranked #12 at 22-5? Of course not. In fact they may drop all the way to 20th behind the rest of the 22-5 teams. Now, would you say Chapman is any worse at basketball or less talented than you would with their current schedule/ranking? Of course NOT.

[pointlem]

Whitworth looked to me like a team that might win most of a 10-game series with Wooster on a neutral court.  Alas, tonight there was an almost weird number of Whitworth shots (both 3-pointers and shots around the basket) that went half way down . . . did a little tour of the hoop . . . and then came out, while Wooster shot much better tonight than they have in some games of late.  For Pirates fans, it was painful.

But what a class group of players, who gave their fans and themselves a great experience this season, with hopefully many good memories and lasting friendships.  Kudos to Coach Hayford, his colleagues, and the team.

[kiltedbryan]

Whitworth looked to me like a team that might win most of a 10-game series with Wooster on a neutral court.  Alas, tonight there was an almost weird number of Whitworth shots (both 3-pointers and shots around the basket) that went half way down . . . did a little tour of the hoop . . . and then came out, while Wooster shot much better tonight than they have in some games of late.  For Pirates fans, it was painful.

But what a class group of players, who gave their fans and themselves a great experience this season, with hopefully many good memories and lasting friendships.  Kudos to Coach Hayford, his colleagues, and the team.

Tremendous game on both sides from what I saw.

Congratulations to Whitworth on an amazing season—you guys were pure quality and a delight to watch. The 10-point margin doesn't tell the story; this game was simply outstanding on both sides and tight throughout.

[playball]

While I don't always agree with The Rat, I don't think he was condescending at all.  As we all know rankings are completely over hyped and don't mean a thing once teams get on the court.  However, seeing how Whitworth was able to take care of business against Chapman, I think Chapman would challenge for an NWC playoff spot.  This obviously means that Chapman would have to play a tougher schedule, and pick up more loses, thus also losing their all important ranking.    

I would love to play UC Santa Cruz a few times a year and then have to face them for a trip to the NCAA Tourney.

Lets be real, Chapman wouldn't have gotten all that far if in the NWC.  And honestly, take that how you will, condescending or not, but its just an opinion.

[loggerfan1]

hmmmm.....

Looking forward to seeing Whitworth in Tacoma next year! 

[bbaddict]

hmmmm.....

Looking forward to seeing Whitworth in Tacoma next year! 

Why?  Did your team all of a sudden improve???

[D O.C.]

Oh well, two and done is better than LINFIELD could manage.

[wooscotsfan]

Congratulations to the Whitworth Pirates on a terrific season!  28-2 is a great record.

The Pirates were the most talented team that Wooster has faced this season and Wooster was fortunate that they hit a few more three pointers to pull out the win last night.  Mike Taylor is the best player that I have seen in Division III this year.

Some classy comments by both teams' players and coaches are in the Spokane newspaper.  Here is the link:
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/mar/12/whitworth-men-beaten-wooster/

[dahlby]

To the Whitworth Community of players, coaches. support staff, parents, students and other supporters, congradulations on a super year.

I am looking forward to playing you again next  basketball season.

I believe your football team will be coming down to Chapman next year for our season opener. Let me know if any of you plan on attending the game. I would like to meet some of you.