MBB: Northwest Conference

[(509)Rat]

My two cents regarding Whitworth this weekend...

UPS is good, better than they have been for the last couple of years, but I don't think they are much better than Whitworth.  Whitworth's big men had a lot of success against UPS (as usual) and as a team they broke the press with relative ease for most of the game.  They made a few nice runs (it was a 2 point game about midway through the second half) but UPS continued to make big 3 pointer, after 3 pointer to end the Pirate run.  This UPS team shot 48% against Whitworth...48%.  They basically played their best game of the season when it counted.  The question is, will they be able to do it again come conference tourney time?  As of right now UPS and Whit should be 1-2, both winning their 1st round game and meeting in Tacoma for the automatic bid to the playoffs.  UPS will once again have to have a great shooting night since I don't see them winning the battle down low...Foster may be big put he is much more comfortable around the perimeter, face up to the basket.  He isn't nearly as effective when he's posting up.  Also, Whitworth will once again have to beat the press and get easy buckets in the paint since UPS matches up with David Riley so well.  The tall UPS guards make it tough for Riley to get a shot off, limiting his scoring potential (see Whitworth vs. PLU for an example of what Riley can do against guys he can shoot over).  All in all, last friday night was very entertaining...just wish Whitworth would have won! 

[TryMeTeam]

Thanks Pio, for the education!  But today being a holiday, I decided to take the day off from school. 

But it does sound like my date from last Saturday.  I guess I should have called her my Biddy instead of .....

I will run spell check from now on to avoid typo's.   

[Bearcat Press]

any of u LC or bearcat fans got predictions for the final 20 minutes of action? My guess is that Gordie will have watched 1st half game film and made some adjustments that are gonna make Willamette pretty tough tonight

I agree - but the fouls are going to be a major factor.  Mitchell has three, and I think Kunke has three too.  If Mitchell picks up a fourth early on in the second half, our ability to work in the paint takes a major hit.  Tain Cantrell just doesn't have the same finishing skills as Mitchell.

I'm still trying to get over 14 team fouls against L&C's 5 in the first half.  Anyone know who those officials were/are?

BCP, you have to get over blaming it on the officials.  I didn't see the game, but my biddy who was there explained it to me.

Wil didn't go inside very much and when they did, they had the physical ability to pull up for the jumper or finish inside.  LC's big men are not that physical and tend to get out of the way.

LC on the other hand was driving to the basket time and again, and Wil was trying to block every shot or reaching. 

That was his take, and I know that is hersay, but it makes sense.  The fouls would probably have been nearly the same with a different set of officials. 

And usually, the same officials are given the same game when it is played from a certain point on, like this one.  So expect the same officials.

He also found a set of halftime stats (I think he swiped them in the dark), and said Mitchlell has three, and Kunke, Babich, Constantino and Erickson have two.

He sent me the names of the officials, but lets not go there.

You're right - it's not good to blame the officials.  But there were more than a few times when the refs were out of position, saw a Pioneer stumble, and automatically blew the whistle and pointed at the closest Bearcat.  Case in point: Papenfuss (I think) is driving to the basket, guarded by Mitchell.  No stripes within ten feet.  Papenfuss trips over his own feet on a drive, whistle blows, throws the ball in the general direction of the basket, and gets two FTs.  Two points for the Pios and Mitchell's third foul on what should have been a travel.  Ugly, ugly, ugly.

Of course, all of this is moot if WU pulls it out tonight.  Go Cats!

[logshock101]

any of u LC or bearcat fans got predictions for the final 20 minutes of action? My guess is that Gordie will have watched 1st half game film and made some adjustments that are gonna make Willamette pretty tough tonight

Yeah this one is kind of scary. I think it will stay close to the end with LC winning 74-69. Look for Kollasch to do the majority of the scoring in the second half for LC.

what about pappenfus, wasnt he the teams leading scorer earlier in the year?

[logshock101]

I didn't see the game, but my biddy who was there explained it to me.

From urbandictionary.com:

Biddy- a dumbass bitch, usually 18 or younger. picture it: short shorts, ugg boots, string straight hair and mad eye makeup for a high school frosh. they go out at night looking for the party so they can get ****ty on mikes hard, cheap wine, or other people's alcohol. they have a bun on the top of their head as if they rolled out of bed looking like a pre-pubescent prostitute. being a biddy means being dumb is the cool thing to do.

Buddy- 1. friend, pal,

haha that is some funny stuff right there. if i had the ability id +1 your karma for that little bit of info

[TryMeTeam]

Shock!  Don't encourage him!!!!

[Pio20]

any of u LC or bearcat fans got predictions for the final 20 minutes of action? My guess is that Gordie will have watched 1st half game film and made some adjustments that are gonna make Willamette pretty tough tonight

Yeah this one is kind of scary. I think it will stay close to the end with LC winning 74-69. Look for Kollasch to do the majority of the scoring in the second half for LC.

what about pappenfus, wasnt he the teams leading scorer earlier in the year?

Yeah he was the leading scorer in six of the nine non-confernce games but hasn't been the leading scorer since. The same thing happened last year in conference. He still contributes and usually finishes in double figures though.

[Pio20]

I didn't see the game, but my biddy who was there explained it to me.

From urbandictionary.com:

Biddy- a dumbass bitch, usually 18 or younger. picture it: short shorts, ugg boots, string straight hair and mad eye makeup for a high school frosh. they go out at night looking for the party so they can get ****ty on mikes hard, cheap wine, or other people's alcohol. they have a bun on the top of their head as if they rolled out of bed looking like a pre-pubescent prostitute. being a biddy means being dumb is the cool thing to do.

Buddy- 1. friend, pal,

haha that is some funny stuff right there. if i had the ability id +1 your karma for that little bit of info

haha hey I had to +1 TMT's karma just for making that mistake 

[Bearcat Press]

And at the end of the weekend, we're back to a three-way tie for second place.  How Willamette can beat L&C but lose to Pacific, I don't know.

This conference is nuts!

[NWCer]

Were you at the Will-Pac game Bearcat Press?  How could you "not know" how Willamette could lose to Pac?  Wasn't Pac picked to come in 4th?  Tied for 3rd last season with Will/LC/Linfield, and beat Will at Pac last year, and the year before that as well?  And had 2 last possession losses at Willamette the last 2 years, not really surprised....That's why you play the games... Linfield hammers Whitworth but loses to George Fox...

[Bearcat Press]

Were you at the Will-Pac game Bearcat Press?  How could you "not know" how Willamette could lose to Pac?  Wasn't Pac picked to come in 4th?  Tied for 3rd last season with Will/LC/Linfield, and beat Will at Pac last year, and the year before that as well?  And had 2 last possession losses at Willamette the last 2 years, not really surprised....That's why you play the games... Linfield hammers Whitworth but loses to George Fox...

Hey, I meant no offense, NWCer.  I really like the Boxers - in fact, my grandfather was a vice-president at Pacific back in the 70s, so I kind of consider it my second NWC school.  I wasn't at the Pac/WU game, but I did watch the Boxers play GFU last Tuesday.  If someone had asked me if there was one game I thought WU would lose this weekend, I'd have said L&C.  You guys had a rough start to NWC play, but you've really picked it up the past couple of games.  I think it's really a credit to Coach Lowery and the team that they can rebound from losing the Bartletts and be a factor in the conference race.

You're right - that's why you play the games.

[NWCer]

My bad BearcatPress, I think my post came off rougher than intended... Thanks for the response...  I understand where you're coming from...

I agree with you that Lowery is doing a good job to keep the boat afloat without the Bartletts, I know Carson Bartlett's injury is season ending but I think Ross Bartlett is expected back soon.  Either way I think my Boxers have an absolute beast waiting for them in Tacoma Friday, hope they can put up some type of fight.  Linfield at home on Saturday, a split this weekend I'm sure they would take.

Great game tonight for your Bearcats...  We're you there?

You say you were at the Pac-Fox game Tuesday, what did you think?

[bbaddict]

And at the end of the weekend, we're back to a three-way tie for second place.  How Willamette can beat L&C but lose to Pacific, I don't know.

This conference is nuts!

WU hasn't won at Pacific since 2006!  My theory is because it's so dark in there--like a bat cave.  We usually split with them & beat them at home -- too much light for their shooters, I guess.    Don't forget:  Pacific beat Willamette who beat Whitman who beat Pacific!!  This conference IS nuts -- any team can win on any night.  Isn't that just basketball?

The finish tonight was knuckle biting.   I'm glad the Bearcats pulled out the win.  They need to play better defense & quit turning the ball over.   It was too bad that Mitchell had to spend time on the bench, but it was nice to see Tain playing again.  He plays great defense.  Not much that goes down for stats, but his presence makes a definite difference!  Seems like WU's missing a few to injuries -- Currie, Thompson & that new guy, Robert somebody.  They're all good defensive players and decent shooters as well.

Does anyone know why L&C doesn't play their #5 more?  He used to start last year & now he hardly gets minutes.  I'm not complaining -- he's pretty good!

[LogShow]

NWCer, I appreciate the respect you are giving the Loggers 
but as you said in an earlier post...that's why you play the game.  You should come up north and check the game out on Friday.  It should be a good game, and the atmosphere with be great since the students are back from break.

[Pio20]

And at the end of the weekend, we're back to a three-way tie for second place.  How Willamette can beat L&C but lose to Pacific, I don't know.

This conference is nuts!

WU hasn't won at Pacific since 2006!  My theory is because it's so dark in there--like a bat cave.  We usually split with them & beat them at home -- too much light for their shooters, I guess.    Don't forget:  Pacific beat Willamette who beat Whitman who beat Pacific!!  This conference IS nuts -- any team can win on any night.  Isn't that just basketball?

The finish tonight was knuckle biting.   I'm glad the Bearcats pulled out the win.  They need to play better defense & quit turning the ball over.   It was too bad that Mitchell had to spend time on the bench, but it was nice to see Tain playing again.  He plays great defense.  Not much that goes down for stats, but his presence makes a definite difference!  Seems like WU's missing a few to injuries -- Currie, Thompson & that new guy, Robert somebody.  They're all good defensive players and decent shooters as well.

Does anyone know why L&C doesn't play their #5 more?  He used to start last year & now he hardly gets minutes.  I'm not complaining -- he's pretty good!

Are you referring to Tyler Tsukazaki? Small guard from Hawaii? If so, he is good but never really scored that much. I think coach G just likes the freshmen guards better because they score more.