MBB: Northwest Conference

[Pinecone_Curtain]

Just got back from the WW/WM game. Good game tonight. I hate Bridgeland, but he's a helluva coach and made some good adjustments at half, mainly switching out from 2-2-1 to a 2-1-2 trap which led to more TOs from WW in the 2nd half. WW was cold from outside (5-25) yet kept shooting even though most of their points came off attacking the press and taking it strong to the rim. There is no Riley on this team who is near automatic, except Gebbers, but he's too small to create his own shot.

Playball and anyone else who thinks WW refs are homers would have enjoyed the reversal tonight as WW got absolutely hosed. Logie, who I don't think I've ever seen have more than a mild conversation with a ref, not only lost and threw his jacket into the stands, but he also got T'd up. They weren't horrible in the first half, but there was about a 8-10 minute stretch in the second when they were absolutely horrendous. I didn't recognize any of the refs (rumor is that they were high school refs--which wouldn't surprise in the least).

With that said, the turning point came with four minutes left when David Michaels was subbed back in and hit a big three to go up 61-58. He then got "fouled" on a three-point play (horrible call, especially when Gebbers got run over on a 3 a few possessions earlier with no call) and hit all three FTs. Next time down the floor he hit another three and all of a sudden WM is up 9. Bad call in-between two huge shots. Gotta give credit for those shots and for getting Felix in foul trouble. WM made WW's role players beat them and they couldn't (McCargar and McConnell were a combined 2-12).

Hopefully the Bucs can find a way to win down in Walla Walla, and hopefully by that time Jack (who played about 90 seconds tonight) and Zach (who didn't suit up) will be back. They will need those two guys. They will also need to stop settling for jumpers when they clearly aren't falling. Credit to WM for staying tough despite a halftime deficit.

[(509)Rat]

Well, they got caught up playing Whitman's game (in the second half) IMO. They took some bad shots early in the shot clock and Whitman was able to take the ball out of the hands of Gebbers and force the young guys to beat them. If this team wants to make a run, then McCargar and McConnell have to play better. McCargar needs to start making open shots and McConnell needs to stop making dumb turnovers.

I'm still impressed with the way this team has played as banged up as they have been lately, but last night was bad. Bridgeland is a good coach (no matter what UPS fans think of the almighty Lunt), but Whitworth is a better team than Whitman, even without Loofburrow and needs to win that game at home. If anything, just so teams don't get confident in their own ability to knock off the Pirates come NWC tourney time.

If I plagiarized Pinecone or didn't make any sense, I apologize. It's 0430. I hate early mornings.

[(509)Rat]

(rumor is that they were high school refs--which wouldn't surprise in the least).

They had to have been. How else to they not know the rule differences between high school and college? Bucket made before the charge on Gebber's should have counted. Instead refs wave it off (like you would in HS) and Logie gets T'd up when he argues (correctly).

[A Buc Forever]

Too bad Montana Tech beat Whitworth, then Bridgeland could be responsible for ruining last year's perfect regular season, the home league game streak, AND the home winning streak. Then I could hate him even more--if possible. Just kidding.  I actually like the guy, but why does he have to get his team to play so well against my Bucs?

[playball]

Anyone know the the kind of budget Whitman is able to work with?  Just curious.  And holy cow! WW gets hosed at home by their own offi, oop I mean the officials?! Can not be so and I'm curious to what the investigation turns up! .

In all seriousness, looks like ww can't handle the speed of Whitman or withstand the 4 minute burst Whitman has about once a game.  Congrats to the missionaries.  I hate saying that. 

[Pinecone_Curtain]

Anyone know the the kind of budget Whitman is able to work with?  Just curious.

They recently got a $3 mil donation and I've heard from multiple people that the men's b-ball program got a pretty nice chunk of that. I've heard different numbers so it's hard to speculate, but I don't think their program is hurting for cash.

http://www.whitman.edu/content/news/EndowWhitAthletics

[D O.C.]

A nod to The Boss here...

3-12?

Corban?

Once upon a time, before a malaise lay upon the land, LINFIELD was a BASKETBALL, football AND a baseball school.
In the 1966-67 the WILDCATS were 5-3, with losses to Willamette and St. Martin's (119-121) on the road and Portland State at home. They were defending NWC Champs finishing 23-6 the year before going to Kansas City to lose to Lakeland, Wisconsin, in the first round.
There was a road trip to beat University of Alaska, Fairbanks, that 66-67 season (ever been there?) There was some sundry shoplifting. Coach Ted Wilson got word of it that '67 New Year and eventually suspended 7 players (4 starters) for the season.
He went a searching for a team to complete the season. He promoted JV's and brought in some athletes from intramurals.
The WILDCATS kept pace and went 19-10 that year, won the NWC, won the region, lost a first round game to St. Benedict's in Kansas City.


Glory Days

[playball]

D.O.C.,
Crazy how times have changed since then.  Kind of like how a gallon of gas cost 50 cents, a new car around 6500, and no three point line.  However, along with all those things, I don't see how any of those things or whatever criticism you put on here help anything.  I also going to take a stab in the dark and say that you were the one who sent what I said about funding earlier to Linfield's athletic director. Cool.

How about that 4 point loss this year to WW, the last second loss to Whitman, and the game at Lewis and Clark where we came close as well.  All losses BUT the team is showing life/maturation quickly.  I would even go as far as to say they are one of the more dangerous teams in the league. 
So DOC, reponse?

Try saying something that adds to something instead of just detracting. Pretty easy to criticize from at home when you don't go to games and/or offer to help with the program in any way. 

I would like to hear your response because usually you just say something like this and then dissappear for a while...

[Bearcat Press]

Just an update for anyone who's been following the flooding situation in the Willamette Valley (if you haven't, take a look at the Statesman Journal's coverage).  The Mill Race - which runs directly behind Sparks Center/Cone Field House has stayed within its banks so far, but parts of the Willamette campus have been sandbagged.  An e-mail from Campus Safety this morning said that all events today (including the basketball games) were going ahead as planned.

[etule]

George Fox-PLU has been changed to Sunday! Team has difficulty getting there!

[etule]

Lot's of interesting games this weekend. The only game I'm sure of is WW over Williamette! Other than that I think that they are all toss ups.
Linfield-UPS is going to be an interesting game! UPS should win but I would not bet on it!
LC vs Pacific again LC should win but again a toss up. The same with GF- PLU and PLU -Pacific -GF- UPS!

Whitman should get Willamette!

This weekend will be big on who make the playoffs!

[D O.C.]

I would like to hear your response because usually you just say something like this and then dissappear for a while.

Fair enough.

Kind of like how a gallon of gas cost 50 cents, a new car around 6500, and no three point line.

Yeah, been that way all through THE STREAK.

A beautiful venue like Wilson Gymnasium should house more than 'a spoiler'.

Pretty easy to criticize from at home when you don't go to games and/or offer to help with the program in any way.

Burnt once - shame on you. Burnt twice – shame on me. I was burnt and not going to let it happen again. Within all the NCAA guidelines I delivered a Los Angeles All City three sport athlete to the LINFIELD coach in spring of 2001. This was someone I had known since age 10.  I knew he was LINFIELD material, a diligent student, a successful athlete (in crummy facilities) and of good character at age 17 despite the surrounding chaos. The athlete and I heard nothing.
At a football game that fall I approached said coach and asked if he had watched the video I sent and "What's up?" The answer was a stupefying "We thought he was too good for us."

[playball]

I'm still not really seeing how your anecdote applies to your vigilant criticisms.  Burnt once, burnt twice blah blah blah.  Did the kid get into Linfield? Apply? And anyways, that was over 10 years ago, get over yourself.

[TryMeTeam]

DOC/Playball:

You are both right, just coming from different generations.  From what I have heard, Ted Wilson's teams were legendary (see DOC's former post, I heard about that team he put together after the suspensions!), Larry Doty's teams have not been.  I think LC and Whitworth are going to go through the same thing as UPS did when Bridgeland left, but there are now NEW coaches at those schools, not a 20 year coach.  So when the program is down, a "DOC" has the right, responsibility to be a little critical of the team/coach.  Linfield has just underachieved the last decade with the quality of players they have had.  So DOC's point is well taken.

Having said that, I am very impressed with the current team.  Their front line ranks up there in the league with Batiuk, Anderson and Lee all being very good players.  Their guards are pretty much invisible with those 3 around, though.  Batiuk is unconscious!  I might even say he is better as a frosh than Playball was (you were very good though)!  They will win games in the second half unless teams realize how much better they are or take them from granted because of their record.  So Playball's point is well taken.

Can't we all just get along?  Ah, screw that!  Blah, Blah, Blah!    DOC, its your turn.  Bring it on!

[D O.C.]

Hey Veau....
"We thought he was too good for us." and 25 years as a tenured coach with a .500 average would tell you something is rotten in Denmark.