MBB: Northwest Conference

[wildcat11]

Thought the 'Cats competed their butts off tonight against the Blues. 

Whitman is super talented but for a number one team in the country they sure don't draw much of a crowd. Maybe the reason is that the outcome was probably an foregone conclusion but I've seen more people at my kindergartner's soccer game.

[(509)Rat]

Maybe they are still on break? If they don't have a Jan term then that's probably the case.

Watched the first half of the Whitworth game. Pacific was shooting around 70% and was something like 7-9 from 3. Figured they would cool off and Whitworth would win by 5-10. I woke up to find out that did not happen. Some minute distribution and lineup decisions by Logie are starting to become a little curious. Last night looked to be affected by foul trouble a bit, but that was mostly the bigs who got hit.

Well, they better regroup tonight. There is no reason can't do the same thing Pacific did last night I guess 

[wildcat11]

Man....loving the 'Cats effort again tonight at Whitworth. 37-36 Pirates at the break. Maloof has been nails so far.

[Pat Coleman]

Whitworth has a J term but at lots of schools that often means off-campus time and study abroad programs. No idea if it does at Whitworth.

[wildcat11]

Well...damn...Rats were in control but Linfield kept battling and had it down to 4 with 29.8 left but Linfield's Hart lost his composure on this 5th foul and got a tech that sealed it for the Pirates.  Still, Linfield represented themselves well and I believe the program continues to head in the right direction. Go 'Cats!

[(509)Rat]

Whitworth has a J term but at lots of schools that often means off-campus time and study abroad programs. No idea if it does at Whitworth.

A majority of students are on campus at Whitworth during Jan term. It was Whitman's attendance that was brought up though...

Linfield played well. Sears didn't play tonight for the Pirates, not sure why, which means Bishop got way more minutes than he deserves. Linfield will win more conference games this year than last. They are deeper than they have been in recent years. That's not saying much but progress is progress. Pacific got their butts handed to them in Walla Walla.

[Pat Coleman]

Need a facepalm emoji. Sorry about that.

Whitman classes start Jan. 17.

[wildcat11]

Was able to catch the 2nd half at Linfield downed Pacific 73-58 at home. Lots of guys pitching in for the win and the 'Cats were great from the FT line (16-18).  Solid win for the 'Cats!

[catjumper]

Interesting pick - one I didn't see coming:

http://www.linfield.edu/sports/release.html?id=6580&sport=gs

Nice job by the 'Cats last night.

[wildcat11]

Interesting pick - one I didn't see coming:

http://www.linfield.edu/sports/release.html?id=6580&sport=gs

Nice job by the 'Cats last night.

As we talked about on the NWC FB board....GREAT hire by Linfield and Garry will thrive as the AD. Excited about his vision for the future.

[(509)Rat]

From Fri
L&C 59  Pacific 57
Whitm 87  PLU 71
Whitw 77  UPS 65
Fox 88   Willamette 83

Whitworth played another half of very uninspired defense. Similar to the way they played the whole game against Pacific. Though seeing Pacific continue to lose, I think you can chalk that upset more to dumb luck than the Boxers being some offensive juggernaut. Whitworth is still more talented than everyone else in the conference not named Whitman, but if they don't want to play D, they could very easily drop another game or two. Bridgeland finally looks to have a roster full of players that fit his system well. Unless Whitworth can knock them off in Spokane, they won't lose a game this season. The yearly "how did Whitman lose to them?" game isn't gonna happen. Apparently the Pirates decided to take that mantle from them...

PLU and UPS look to drop further down the standings after the Eastern WA trip. They will need to beat L&C and Fox as well as get some help from both the eastern WA schools and someone like a Linfield or Pacific. The Cats are better than they've been in the recent past, they are also benefiting from some lack of strength at the top of the conference IMO. I think the teams vying for 3/4 aren't as good as some of the UPS/PLU/L&C/Whitman teams of old who filled those spots in previous years. I guess Whitworth could finish 3rd, if they split with Fox...I just haven't lost that much faith in this team yet.

[wildcat11]

Damn, great win Linfield.  Just a battle with Fox and their full pressure tempo.  Fox had chances to stretch out a lead under 10 in the 2nd half but Linfield kept battling.  Linfield was down 72-73 with with 13 seconds left and every one and their mom collapsed on Maloof and left Romeo WIDE OPEN on the wing for the 3 with 2.1 left and ballgame.

I have no idea how Linfield only out rebounded GFU's band of little people by 3 but doesn't matter. Moves Linfield to 9-6 overall and 3-3 in NWC play.

[wildcat11]

Linfield's last possession via twitter:

https://twitter.com/KyleMaloof/status/820507587623849988

[catjumper]

Great pass, great shot, great win.

The 'Cats have the toughest trip of the season out of the way and they've beaten two teams in front of them in the standings.  There's a long way to go, but for the moment things are potentially setting up well for them.

[wildcat11]

Good win for the 'Cats tonight over the Bearcats.  Quickest the 'Cats have reached the 10 win mark since the 2002-03 season.  Looking forward to hosting PLU tomorrow!