MBB: Northwest Conference

[(509)Rat]

I wouldn't want to admit that my 8-4 conference record is coming from a "talented" team, when I'm always trying so hard to defend my coach.

Here's how I think the top 4 will finish

1. Whitworth   15-1
2. Whitman     11-5
3. PLU            10-6
4. GF              10-6
5. UPS (loses tie breaker) 10-6

Don't know who would own tie breaker at 3 and 4. I have PLU and GF splitting season series. UPS goes 2-2 down the stretch and misses playoffs based on head to head with GF and PLU. Basically 4 outside of Whitworth are praying Willamette or Linfield catch fire against one of the other 3. LC would have to knock off PLU and UPS (and run the table) to get a playoff spot.

[Keandre]

(509)Rat, it is not really about defending the coach as much as it is trying to see why you always have negative things to say about him. Its like you have personal issues with the UPS coach.

No matter what your issues are against UPS, they will be in the playoffs and yes, this 8-4 team has talent.

[(509)Rat]

I see. You want to have your cake and eat it too. At 8-4 you can't have superior talent and a superior coach. Is UPS more talented than PLU? If you believe that to be true then the PLU coach is better than Lunt. What about GF and Whitman?

It would be like me being impressed with Logie if Whitworth was 8-4. No excuse for that to happen with the players on that team. I don't have a problem with Lunt, I have a problem with terrible logic used to defend a team/coach.

[Keandre]

Never said superior talent, never said Lunt was a superior coach to anyone. Because you feel the logic is terrible, doesn't mean anything. UPS has a good coach and they have a good team. That is what I am saying. Doesn't matter if you are impressed or not, 2 of their losses are from a top 10 team, the other 3 came when a team shot the lights out. Gotta give credit to those teams, no excuses. Also, I never said that UPS was more talented than any other team, I just said they have talent. Would you not agree? What to you makes a good coach/not so good coach? And remember, I have never said one coach is better than the other, each have their own special ways dealing with their teams and bringing out the best in the players on and off the court, that is what it is all about.

[playball]

Never said superior talent, never said Lunt was a superior coach to anyone. Because you feel the logic is terrible, doesn't mean anything. UPS has a good coach and they have a good team. That is what I am saying. Doesn't matter if you are impressed or not, 2 of their losses are from a top 10 team, the other 3 came when a team shot the lights out. Gotta give credit to those teams, no excuses. Also, I never said that UPS was more talented than any other team, I just said they have talent. Would you not agree? What to you makes a good coach/not so good coach? And remember, I have never said one coach is better than the other, each have their own special ways dealing with their teams and bringing out the best in the players on and off the court, that is what it is all about.

Keandre, I know your position very well.  Im sorry to tell you this but you won't win, however you do bring good points to the table.  I was never a fan of UPS however they do have good talent.  I wasn't a huge fan of Lunt, but thought he was nice enough. Good coach.  The teams that have done well this year have done one of two things. 1) Recruited to their systems needs. 2) Gotten hot at the right times.   Th first one is somewhat on the coach, however you never know how kids are going to turn out in the end.  The coach can't go out and play the game for the team, which is unfortunate because I think if it worked that way my Linfield would have more wins .  But back to the point, Talent alone doesn't win games.  It helps, but it isnt everything.  Whitworth has a great system, and to be honest, looking at their lineup and the rest of the league, which I believe to be a little down this year, I dont think they should've lost at all.  Does that mean that Logie is a bad coach? No.  Does that mean Whitman is more talented? No way.  So to say that UPS is either untalented or has a bad coach is a bit extreme. 

[(509)Rat]

Also, I never said that UPS was more talented than any other team, I just said they have talent. Would you not agree? What to you makes a good coach/not so good coach? And remember, I have never said one coach is better than the other, each have their own special ways dealing with their teams and bringing out the best in the players on and off the court, that is what it is all about.

Man, you really just sat right on the fence didn't you? No sense in debating with you when you won't take a stance one way or the other. But you are right. the whole NWC has equal talent and equally "good" coaches. Hugs and kisses all around! 

Why do we even keep score?

[A Buc Forever]

Lunt did a decent job 3 years ago when he clearly had the best talent in the league.  First coach to go undefeated in the conference. Does not have the same kind of talent now.  Part of that is on him since he is responsible for recruiting. From what i've seen he is going after the right talent. He has maintained UPS at an above average level and IMHO he's an above average coach in the NWC. 

That said, UPS has been one of the best programs and is an attractive place for players to come to.  Maybe should be achieving at a higher level.  He needs to make the playoffs year in and year out to be continue to be above average.

[Keandre]

Man, you really just sat right on the fence didn't you? No sense in debating with you when you won't take a stance one way or the other. But you are right. the whole NWC has equal talent and equally "good" coaches. Hugs and kisses all around! 

Why do we even keep score?

So, your stance is that you are not impressed with Lunt. My stance is he is a good coach and that I am impressed with him. I have been trying to find out why you are not impressed and you beat around the question. How about you answer clearly, what are you not impressed with? Last year, people said he could only coach the press and that the league has figured it out so it was not working anymore, now, he has changed that and has developed his team into being one of the best defensive teams in the league, which is why they are second right now. He has adapted to the change and is doing very well. Isn't that a part of being a good coach, adapting to the change? That is hard for some coaches.

[Bearcat Press]

First coach to go undefeated in the conference.

First coach to go undefeated in the conference since Gordie James and Willamette in Gordie's first season (1987-88).  Before that you have to go all the way back to College of Idaho in 1954-55, when they started a guy named Elgin Baylor.

[Keandre]

Gordie James, great coach! One of my favorite guys ever in the business.

[A Buc Forever]

First coach to go undefeated in the conference.

First coach to go undefeated in the conference since Gordie James and Willamette in Gordie's first season (1987-88).  Before that you have to go all the way back to College of Idaho in 1954-55, when they started a guy named Elgin Baylor.

When I said "First coach to go undefeated" I should have added "since going to DIII".

I miss having College of Idaho in the league. No one would complain about the Eastern Washington road trip if they still had to get over to play in Caldwell. That was a road trip!!!

Once you got there it wasn't much better. They used to play basketball in an indoor rodeo stadium. The floor was put on top of dirt. The football stadium was next to the outdoor rodeo stadium and we dressed in the locker room from the rodeo.  They also had a big picture of Elgin Baylor somewhere on campus. That was pretty cool.   

[(509)Rat]

So, your stance is that you are not impressed with Lunt. My stance is he is a good coach and that I am impressed with him. I have been trying to find out why you are not impressed and you beat around the question. How about you answer clearly, what are you not impressed with? Last year, people said he could only coach the press and that the league has figured it out so it was not working anymore, now, he has changed that and has developed his team into being one of the best defensive teams in the league, which is why they are second right now. He has adapted to the change and is doing very well. Isn't that a part of being a good coach, adapting to the change? That is hard for some coaches.

I have explained numerous times why I'm not impressed with Lunt. It is simple, he has a team that has declined noticeably since he took over. Let's not pretend like you all don't wish you had Bridgeland back. I mean look at what Whitman has done over the last 3 years vs. what UPS has. 2 programs that appear to be going in opposite directions. 7-9 last season, 8-4 this season, missing the NWC tourney last year, and possibly missing it again this year. And you wonder how I'm not impressed?

[(509)Rat]

And you must not have watched the UPS v Whitworth games this year. The gap between these two teams has been steadily widening over the last 3 years. That alone should be enough to upset any self respecting Logger fan 

[etule]

Lunt did a good job last night. They went to the big boys and played a really physical game against a much smaller PLU team. Good coaching last night!
Being physical is their strenth! If they continue to do that it will be a good run for them.

[A Buc Forever]

Looks like the Pirates are going to win league barring a major meltdown.  5 league championships in 6 years and if they win the league tournament it will be 6 in a row.  This must be what it feels like to be Linfield in football.