MBB: Northwest Conference

(509)Rat · November 20, 2011, 08:00:54 PM

It's a final. 88-66 Whitworth over Washington University

Defense played great. Probably helped that the Bears had to learn to shoot at the Fieldhouse on the fly. This team is deep. Logie rotates a lot of guys and Whitworth didn't really miss a beat no matter what lineup he had on the court. Wash U is definitely not what they were a few years ago, but they weren't as bad as Santa Cruz, Whitworth just played a much better game than they did against the Banana Slugs.

Cal Lu is next...

Oh, and if you are a fan of an opposing team not familiar with the Pirates, here's a little video about the program. Enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gjr2VjCCHPE

WUPHF · November 20, 2011, 09:40:46 PM

Quote from: (509)Rat on November 20, 2011, 08:00:54 PM
It's a final. 88-66 Whitworth over Washington University.

Wow! It looks like the game was even worse than the final score would suggest. Glad to hear we are better than Santa Cruz.

(509)Rat · November 21, 2011, 01:51:32 PM

Wash U did some nice things on the offensive end. Their set plays looked good, the players were just a second too slow many times when making decisions (wether to pass or shoot), allowing Whitworth defenders to close and make plays.

Also, while Wash U could have done a better job defending the perimeter, there isn't a whole lot you can do when a guy is 7-10 from 3. It's just not your night when that happens.

Should be fun to see how Whitworth plays on the road this weekend. If the shooting continues the rest of the conference should be very worried...as if they weren't already

nwhoops1903 · November 21, 2011, 05:23:32 PM

It is a quality win for sure. Go Pirates!!

etule · November 22, 2011, 06:29:22 PM

Whitwoth just re loads! I expect to see some players from Eastern in the future of the Pirates! Great run of great players and coaching ! Good for the NWC! Interesting games coming up!

etule · November 22, 2011, 06:31:48 PM

Forgot to mention that I saw UPS play this last weekend! They are much improved. Their big man played great and their press looked good. They are going to be a tough game if they hit their outside shots! They are going to be tough inside!

playball · November 23, 2011, 04:53:52 PM

Saw Linfield play at Portland State. Good team, will play hard like usual. They are better than an 8th place team, especially when David Lee comes back into the line up.

The conference is going to come down to UPS and Whitworth (I know, crazy to think...) Whitman will place third but they played out of their minds last year and way over achieved. Whitworth, with their transfers playing with the guys they already have there will be hard for this conference to try and stop.

UPS will be a force if Gittens stays on the court. He is the most athletically gifted big man in the conference and I dont see any one being able to stop him. The only way to try and contain him will be to get him in foul trouble as he goes, and gets, a lot of blocked shots. I would like to see the UPS Whitworth game just to see the match up between Freidt and Gittens.

TryMeTeam · November 23, 2011, 10:26:20 PM

Playball:
How can you ignore LC? I saw them play NW Christian, and they have legitimate bigs this year along with quality guards. I think they will be in the mix, if they can mesh with the new coach.

Gittens is very athletic, but the league has learned how to handle the UPS press, and it is not as effective without 3 all-league players like they had with Foster, Kraul and Williams. I am not sure Lunt knows how to get UPS to use it without top notch players, nor should he. UPS will be a top team, but I am not sure 1 or 2.

Also:
I missed the NW Christian/Pac U game, but I saw Pac U play Evergreen. They are much improved and will not finish in last place this year. Losing Bartlett is a huge loss, but they brought in 9 who can play. I don't think top 3 for them, but they could take down a top team or two. Note: I don't pay too much attention to scores, but Pac U seemed to have handled NW Christian better than LC did.

Falcons04 · November 26, 2011, 01:07:27 AM

UWRF wins 68-59 against Pacific Lutheran. They were down by 6 at one point in the first half, but came back to take a lead and opened it up to 11 with 4 to go in the game. All 5 Falcon starters played 30+ minutes and scored in double figures, led by Manor and Guerin with 14 a piece. The negatives were 17/29 from the line and 16 turnovers. They play 4-0 Puget Sound tomorrow night.

playball · November 26, 2011, 03:35:27 PM

To be honest, I forgot about LC a little. So as I was thinking about where I would rank them, I realized why I dont think they will be in the top 2, or even top 4. Its because of the return of Hollins. I believe that he is more of a detriment to the team than he is an addition. He takes bad/iffy shots and doesn't seem like that much of a team player from what I remember from years past. He is a good rebounder from the guard spot so that will help if their bigs don't turn out to be anything. But when your teammates say "what is he doing?!" while on the court, you aren't one of two things A) A team first guy or B) Realizing the tempo of the game and what type of play should be made.

Good player don't get me wrong. I just dont think he quite fits in with this LC team

(509)Rat · November 26, 2011, 04:39:05 PM

Whitworth beats Chapman 58-44

A Buc Forever · November 26, 2011, 05:28:07 PM

How was the point guard from Chapman. He played well against Whitworth in last year's playoff game.

Disagree with the above assessment of Hollins. I don't remember him taking any different shots than the rest of the team. I did not like LC's shot selection overall, but I would not have singled Hollins out specifically.

LCpio26 · November 27, 2011, 06:38:38 PM

Playball... you have to also remember that its been a while since you have seen hollins play. He and the team have grown tremendously. Seeing a couple of LC games this year I can say that Hollins is not what you make him out to be. I dont see the logic behind a great player coming back and the team getting worse. Hollins is a great player that likes to score but also grabs tons of rebounds for the team. LC is an aggressive team that likes to shoot. If he is so detrimental for the team I don't see why he has played so much and has been top in almost every team statistical category.

(509)Rat · November 27, 2011, 08:00:46 PM

LCpio

You have to remember that playball has actually played against Hollins while you've just watched from the bleachers.

I'd be shocked if LC finishes higher than 4th this year. And I wouldn't be surprised if they finish behind PLU in 5th.

etule · November 28, 2011, 03:09:05 PM

UPS is for real this year! Their bench came in and did the job against a very good WRF team this weekend. It will be a good match up with Whitworth! MWC dominated the SCIAC this year. I think that league is down this year with the exception of Clairemont! UPS should be ranked this week!