MBB: Northwest Conference

[(509)Rat]

Whitman's style is really interesting - I'd love to see how it matches up with more disciplined sides from farther east - either a CCIW type plodding post-game or maybe a team like Babson that takes care of the ball really well.  Hopefully we'll see some of those matchups come March.

I think that question has been answered many times in the past. You've seen it against Whitworth teams for the past 5-6 years, St. Thomas last year, etc. Their "style" didn't bother UWSP in 04 or 05, IWU in 06. Whitman doesn't have near the success against disciplined teams as they do teams they can force pace and turnovers. In fact, Bridgeland has dialed back the pressure against Whitworth over the last couple years and IMO the half court pressure has been more effective than the press that used to lead to those 100-98 type games they had in the past.

This is probably the first year, however, that Bridgeland has had a team as talented as the early 2000's UPS teams he took pretty deep into the playoffs. That's the real question, IMO. Does Whitman have the talent and depth to beat top tier teams that aren't bothered by the press and are quicker to cut off the lane when Whitman is on O?

[wildcat11]

oh don't worry, those guys don't care enough about any other sport to actually post something on another board

Go 'Cats!

[Gregory Sager]

Whitman's style is really interesting - I'd love to see how it matches up with more disciplined sides from farther east - either a CCIW type plodding post-game or maybe a team like Babson that takes care of the ball really well.  Hopefully we'll see some of those matchups come March.

I think that question has been answered many times in the past. You've seen it against Whitworth teams for the past 5-6 years, St. Thomas last year, etc. Their "style" didn't bother UWSP in 04 or 05, IWU in 06. Whitman doesn't have near the success against disciplined teams as they do teams they can force pace and turnovers.

Here's a classic example of that.

[wildcat11]

Seriously...I'm looking forward to checking out some Linfield games this season and I plan on doing some video work for them as well.

[(509)Rat]

Seriously...I'm looking forward to checking out some Linfield games this season and I plan on doing some video work for them as well.

+k

[Andy Jamison - Walla Walla Wildcat]

I'm hoping that Linfield can continue to make progress in men's hoops.  Seems that the team is more mature with only a couple of freshmen on the roster.  It is going to be difficult to compete with Whitman and Whitworth as they are two top national teams. 

[(509)Rat]

Whitworth beat the Covenant Scots (I think they are from GA) 93-62. I don't know anything about the Scots, they were clearly overmatched though. Even so, some young guys got minutes tonight which is important. They need some of them to mature quickly if they want to beat Whitman in Spokane later this season. Ben College (Whit FR) led all scorers with 28 pts, he was 6-8 from the 3pt line

[Gregory Sager]

Whitworth beat the Covenant Scots (I think they are from GA) 93-62.

Yep. Their campus is on the northern edge of Georgia, just across the state line from Chattanooga.

[D O.C.]

oh don't worry, those guys don't care enough about any other sport to actually post something on another board

I came on because it's basketball season and I want to see if LINFIELD might double the wins in one season again.

Ay, but if it's a joust you want, please be namin' the years of those PiRat women's Softball Championships.

[(509)Rat]

I look forward to your biannual contributions

[Wooster Booster]

Hey.  Whitman broadcaster.  The Wooster player's name is Fan-EL-y.  A little pregame research, about three-minutes worth, would have told you this.  And there's no "University of Duke".

[(509)Rat]

I'm not sure how you force 27 turnovers and only win by 1, but Whitman managed to do it yesterday against Wooster. The Blues got killed on the glass and didn't make the usual "throwing up a prayer in the lane" shots that they usually do. They also couldn't make FTs to save their lives. Good teams win even though they shoot like crap, Whitman is a good team but you don't win games like that on the road against better competition in the tourney. And the NWC rep will hit the road much earlier than any other similarly seeded team thanks to geography.

Whitworth beat La Verne 96-88. Had a stretch in the first half where they played better than they have all year, then just like our friends a little further south on Division St. (Gonzaga), they let La Verne creep back in. Whitworth has to do better job rebounding defensively. La Verne got way too many second chance opportunities. Luckily when you are as efficient offensively as Whitworth was for most of the game, it doesn't matter. La Verne isn't bad, probably equivalent to any team in the NWC that doesn't start with "Whit."  Could see them finishing 3rd in the SCIAC.

[(509)Rat]

Whitworth beat Chapman 78-69 last night. I'd have to double check but I'd bet that was Whitworth's worst performance from behind the 3pt line this season. They shot something like 25-26% last night and were around 46% on the season coming in. Its one thing to have a bad night or for another team to take away the shot defensively, but Whitworth seemed to take a few too many that were early in the shot clock and far behind the line. Defensively they played well though and overall they were simply the better team. Haslam didn't play for the Panthers but with what he's done so far this season, I can't imagine him making a significant difference in this one. He's their leading scorer but its been a product of volume, not efficiency.

[Gosox]

RAT...now that I see, looks like it may have been you I met and spoke with after the Laverne game..if it was, nice talking with you.  Have to agree about the Laverne game...they actually did not shoot well at all the first half and seeing Whitworth shoot 81.9% from threes for the first 15 mins was very impressive..then it slowed to a 69% (still don't know any coach in his right mind who would not want that!!!!)...Laverne came out 2nd half played with some more energy and made a little run....But as good teams typically do, they find ways to win....

Will be interesting to watch them this year....

Good luck to all...

Merry Christmas!!

[wildcat11]

Linfield has a barn burner tonight vs Portland Bible. First I didn't know there was a Portland Bible College and second I didn't know they had basketball.  The PBC Wildcats currently stand 0-11.  It looks like they're not very good and Willamette could even beat these guys.