MBB: Northwest Conference

[(509)Rat]

A good start for the Pirates.  Valle is starting the season strong.  Anybody know how good La Verne is?

I was on call and got paged at some god awful hour and actually ended watching a good chunk of the second half. Whitworth was in the process of pulling away and Love and Valle were playing fantastic basketball. Exactly what you'd expect from those two. Sears wasn't in much during that period and Nyaaku played well, but it still looks like the frontcourt isn't going to win the Pirates any games. They just need to be good enough to not lose any. White for La Verne was very impressive during that little stretch I watched, mostly because he couldn't miss for awhile there. He's a good size guard that will probably give many of the SCIAC teams some trouble (if he's a consistent shooter...they better hope he is because he seems like a high volume guy). McClain was equally good throughout the end of the 2nd half. The other guys on the team really seemed to hurt them more than help. La Verne looked like a team that isn't very deep, doesn't have much of a frontcourt, but has two very good guards (who happen to be very similar players which might hurt them at times). Good result for the Pirates, hopefully the Leos finish up near the top of the SCIAC.

[blackhawks4]

A Buc, your joke is 20 years old and not funny; nor is it a very friendly way to start off the season. The past few seasons there has seemed to be a bit of hostility in our relationship, and I'm looking forward to have some civil discourse with you fine gentlemen this season.

I feel like I'm cheating because the most overrated team in the country played last night, but nobody else has gotten this out there yet, so allow me to lead the way:

POTY: Valle
Love
Christian McDonald
Tochi Oti
Luedtke wil
Appleton LC

[Andy Jamison - Walla Walla Wildcat]

Did AJ Grant end up at Whitworth?

[(509)Rat]

Yeah, he's on the roster, though I'm pretty sure he's not eligible until January?

[A Buc Forever]

Blackhawk,

Sorry about crossing the line with my joke.

More importantly, am I dreaming or is Linfield 2-0 AND they beat a team LC lost to?  What's going on?  Seems like it is mostly guys from last year doing the scoring. Although the freshman Riley Bruil is starting.  Great to see that program improve. Kind of shocks me given how bad they were last year. 

Back to Blackhawk,

So your predicted all-star team has last year's first teamer Jurlina not on the team and George Valle, an honorable mention pick last year, jumping over Kenny Love for POTY.  I am impressed with Valle's scoring so far.  Haven't seen a game yet so can't comment on that, but I'm thinking this might be a huge year for him.  However, I don't see Love and Jurlina getting worse. We'll see.  All that said, all-star teams don't matter.  A lot of great players that don't score get over-looked on those teams.  I am predicting another 2009-10 year for the Bucs--Undefeated in league and the win the conference tourney. I think this team is on par or better with best the Pirates have been in the last decade.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

The basketball season has started for most. Quirky schedules means some have not hit the hardwood as of yet. Tonight, Dave will talk to some who have started, some who have not, and some who are still getting used to new coaches.

Hoopsville new early season Sunday shows debuts tonight at 7 PM ET! You can watch the show here: www.d3hoops.com/hoopsville/archives/2015-16/nov15

Guests tonight include:
- Matt Logie, #3 Whitworth men
- Joe Riverso, Augsburg women
- Rich Micallef, Brooklyn men
- Kenrda Hassell, #21 Texas-Tyler women
- Ryan Whitnable, Great Lakes Region Reporter

Don't forget you can always interact with us:
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[Hoopmeister]

Yeah, he's on the roster, though I'm pretty sure he's not eligible until January?

Although he had to medically withdraw from school 3 times because of concussions and shoulder surgery, the NCAA did not give him another semester of eligibility. Because of this, he does not get to start playing (or practicing with the team) until the end of the semester (Decmber 18). He will be eligible for the Millsaps game on December 19. If he were a football or baseball player he would have been able to start practice on day one and play the entire season, but because basketball covers 2 semesters, he had to choose.

[(509)Rat]

He's given Whitworth a lot of problems in the past, could be a real offensive threat coming off the bench. Thanks for the info

Here's some highlights from Whitworth v La Verne...you'll notice more fans watching a game that started after midnight than most NWC schools will have at any one game all season...

http://youtu.be/8LApuA8m18k

[blackhawks4]

He's given Whitworth a lot of problems in the past, could be a real offensive threat coming off the bench. Thanks for the info
http://youtu.be/8LApuA8m18k

How many balls are they going to let Whitworth play with?

And it's okay A Buc, I've got thick skin.  My prediction was not meant as a snub to Jurlina.  More so that its not practical for 3 players from the same team to end up on the first team, ahead of the best player from the other top teams.  Just the way coaches vote, teammates will end up splitting votes

I think this team is on par or better with best the Pirates have been in the last decade.

You can't be serious.  They are the most overrated team in the country.  They arent the third best team in the wiac.

[(509)Rat]

He's given Whitworth a lot of problems in the past, could be a real offensive threat coming off the bench. Thanks for the info
http://youtu.be/8LApuA8m18k

How many balls are they going to let Whitworth play with?

I assume one less than you normally play with?

[Gregory Sager]

[WoostAr]

Caltech en-route to the North West to play Whitworth tonight and Whitman tomorrow. 

Caltech has certainly come a long way as a program (pick up this week's Sports Illustrated for all the details if you are unfamiliar -- Chris Ballard did an 8 page article on them).  Whitworth was definitely on a different level last year when the two teams played -- Whitworth won easy 76-48.  Caltech is definitely an improved defensive team since that game and they are shooting the ball quite well this year.  It will be a good reality check for this team to play the number 3 team in the country and see how much of an improvement they have made (...or not...).

Whitman tomorrow -- Caltech last played Whitman in 2013 in Pasadena, Lost 87-73 -- I understand Whitman plays up-tempo and presses? -- Caltech (to this point) has been excellent against the press; they easily broke Masters and USD's press (both very athletic) -- that game could be close if Caltech has any legs left -- they only go 7 deep, so back to back games are going to be a challenge for this team.

[(509)Rat]

Caltech is about 1000x better than the intramural quality teams they used to field. Huge props to the admin, coach, players on the improvements all around.

[blackhawks4]

Rat--that was actually pretty funny!  A Buc, take notes.

Whitman tomorrow -- Caltech last played Whitman in 2013 in Pasadena, Lost 87-73 -- I understand Whitman plays up-tempo and presses? -- Caltech (to this point) has been excellent against the press; they easily broke Masters and USD's press (both very athletic) -- that game could be close if Caltech has any legs left

They just cut the WMN lead to 39.  Hold onto your hats.

[WoostAr]

I expected a lull from Caltech after playing the best team in the NWC and then busing overnight, but did not expect them to fold like that.  The whole game was just weird.  Best player only played 7 minutes -- then spent the rest of the game in street clothes on the bench after running to the locker room.  Then the players kept trying to play hero ball against instead of passing against a press. 

On the bright side, some of the freshman got some playing time.  Other than that, they will have to flush it and move on.