MBB: Northwest Conference

[pantherpride06]

Greetings NWC posters.  I am going to be working for Puget Sound this upcoming year as an Athletic Dept. Intern.  I come from Greenville College (Greenville, Ill.) and I've been a very, very avid SLIAC Board poster.  I wanted to introduce myself and hope that I will be learning about the Puget Sound ball club and other teams in the NWC and I can have some imput on this already buzzing board!

PantherPride // Jermaine

[(509)Rat]

Here's the link from the Whitworth website on the new assisstants

http://www.whitworth.edu/Athletics/Teams/Basketball_Men/Releases/06_07/Assistants.htm

And here is a tentative schedule

http://www.whitworth.edu/Athletics/Teams/Schedules/Index.aspx?id=2

[Gregory Sager]

A new assisstant coach has been hired.  His first name is Josh, but I couldn't get a last name.  He was  GA at Gonzaga and did some assisstant coaching somewhere in Minnesota.  If I get some more info I'll post it.

It's Josh Downey, and "somewhere in Minnesota" is Concordia-Moorhead of the MIAC. Too bad that as a Whitworth assistant coach he's not going to be allowed to post here, because he helped to enliven the MIAC room in days of yore under the nom de hoops "Sofa King".

[(509)Rat]

That is too bad that he won't be able to post anymore, I'd be curious to see what he has to say about the level of play in the NWC compared to the MIAC.  I posted the Whitworth Athletic site link in my last post on the previous page, It has all of this info with some additional details.

[(509)Rat]

Watched an open gym the other day.  Whats scary is that this years team will be more talented than lasts (top to bottom) and that's minus Williams, Jones, Young, and Hasenfus.  The only question (IMO) is can Whitworth find a leader/ someone with the vision on the court that they lost when Williams graduated?  The new Assistants have been working these guys into the ground with the new strength & conditioning program...keep it up

[NWCer]

Watched an open gym the other day.  Whats scary is that this years team will be more talented than lasts (top to bottom) and that's minus Williams, Jones, Young, and Hasenfus.  The only question (IMO) is can Whitworth find a leader/ someone with the vision on the court that they lost when Williams graduated?  The new Assistants have been working these guys into the ground with the new strength & conditioning program...keep it up

Not surprised, Whitworth is always talented.  as far as "the new assistants working these guys into the ground................"  Sounds like an NCAA violation to me.......  I guess if you ain't cheatin', you ain't tryin'

[Pat Coleman]

I think coaches are allowed to prescribe an offseason lifting program without violating NCAA rules. Not sure what you're thinking of.

[UPSoundLogs]

509-

Can we get a run down of the new super talented WW squad please(size, positions, skills, etc)?  I'd love to know who you think will replace B.Williams, he's the one that made their team go.  I'm not doubting that they re-stocked, i'd just like some detials. 

I'd also like to announce that is UPS is bringing sexy back this year... Foster, Krauel, Marsh, and A. Williams...All of them All NWC in 06-07 and All of them returning for 07-08.  COME GET IT!!! 

It's probably too early, but i wouldnt mind some pre-pre season debate/predictions/trash talking(all in good taste of course) if anyone wants to join me.  Im looking forward to a new season!!!

[NWCer]

I think coaches are allowed to prescribe an offseason lifting program without violating NCAA rules. Not sure what you're thinking of.

You're absolutely right Pat, coaches can "prescribe" an offseason lifting program, if that's what Whitworth assistants did, than yeah, there are no violations.  But when it says they are "working these guys into the ground", it just sounded as if they were in their with them actually directing them and working them out, which is a violation (unless it is part of a university class that is open to all).  That's what I'm "thinking of", just the interpretation of what was said.

Logs - good to see you back on the board, I too am excited for a new season.  UPS does bring back a lot of talent, and JL will be a lot more comfortable in his second year and knowing that it's his job.  LC brings back a boatload of talent as well, also 4 all-leaguers.  Those two have to be the ones to beat this year.

[NWCer]

And Logs, don't forget Delong was all league as well, that's their whole starting 5.  There might not be another team in the country who returns all 5 starters who were each all-leaguers, pretty impressive.

[Pat Coleman]

I think coaches are allowed to prescribe an offseason lifting program without violating NCAA rules. Not sure what you're thinking of.

You're absolutely right Pat, coaches can "prescribe" an offseason lifting program, if that's what Whitworth assistants did, than yeah, there are no violations.  But when it says they are "working these guys into the ground", it just sounded as if they were in their with them actually directing them and working them out, which is a violation (unless it is part of a university class that is open to all).  That's what I'm "thinking of", just the interpretation of what was said.

If you're looking to assume the worst or stir up trouble, then yes, you could interpret it that way.

[NWCer]

Just interpreting, not stirring up trouble or assuming the worst.  Just taking advantage as a DIII fan to do some posting on your wonderful site! 

[UPSoundLogs]

NWCer-

Whoops, I guess i just messed up and forgot to put Delong on there.  The whole point of my last post was to show that UPS has a returning starting five of all-league players...in my excitment i must have just left him off accidentally(talk about a back fire).  Thanks for the correction. 

509, has yet to respond about the talent in Spokane.  You seem to have a good handle on the WW team, who have they reloaded with?  Any info?

And yes, i think you are right, until i hear some more about WW's new guys it looks like LC and UPS will be the top dawgs for sure.  I'm also interested to see if WU will bounce back with some new talent, if anyone has some info on them speak up...bcats?

[NWCer]

You got it Logs,

Like I said, that's pretty impressive bringing back 5 all-league starters, very impressive, have they added any talented recruits?

Things I've heard:  WU's Nugent is in some academic trouble and may be done.....  LC brought in a couple of studs, and Pacific has brought in a bunch of talented transfers.  Like I said -  I just heard these things, can't confirm - typical out of season gossip.

509 seems to think Whitworth is loaded, or re-loaded, I should say.

Sounds to me like you can ink LC and UPS in the playoffs with Whitworth, Pacific, and maybe Willamette fighting for another spot.  Hard to imagine anyone else with a legitimate shot, maybe PLU?

[(509)Rat]

One freshman, Drew Bruns (El Toro HS), was co-mvp of his leaugue along with Gonzaga top 100 recruit Austin Daye of Woodbridge High in Irvine, Calif.

I posted that earlier.  Another one of the freshman likely to make an immediate impact is David Riley (nephew of OSU's Mike RIley).  He's from Palo Alto and has been hitting from all over the court ever since he got here.  I'll try and find out more about the new guys...but as far as returners go, any team who has the talent whitworth does and brings back Ryan Symes (their leading scorer) is going to be good.

Like I said earlier finding a replacement for bryan will be tough.  The biggest thing you lose with him is his ability to distribute the ball and get to the basket.  He wasn't a huge threat to light it up from beyond the 3-point line, or put up 30 points on you in a night but he never needed to.  Next season should be the toughest NWC league we've seen in a few years, especially if Pacific can continue to stay in the mix.