MBB: Northwest Conference

[wildcat11]

I'm not sure when was the last time the 'Cats got a win on the Eastern Washington swing but I'm hoping this is the weekend.  Go 'Cats!

[Smitty Oom]

So Ryan mentioned on the Pool C board that there was a mixup and men actually have priority to host this year. This means that the Blues will be hosting a pod in Walla Walla, more than likely. That is good news, it would be too bad to ship off the consensus #1 seed (d3hoops top 25 poll) and undefeated team for the first round.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

So Ryan mentioned on the Pool C board that there was a mixup and men actually have priority to host this year. This means that the Blues will be hosting a pod in Walla Walla, more than likely. That is good news, it would be too bad to ship off the consensus #1 seed (d3hoops top 25 poll) and undefeated team for the first round.

They won't be the #1 overall seed, I don't think.  They're already getting the benefit of the doubt for being undefeated, but the SOS number is a little suspect.  By the criteria, I suspect WashU has a better resume.  Not sure that'll matter unless it comes down to second weekend hosting, but let's hope it doesn't come to that either.

[Smitty Oom]

So Ryan mentioned on the Pool C board that there was a mixup and men actually have priority to host this year. This means that the Blues will be hosting a pod in Walla Walla, more than likely. That is good news, it would be too bad to ship off the consensus #1 seed (d3hoops top 25 poll) and undefeated team for the first round.

They won't be the #1 overall seed, I don't think.  They're already getting the benefit of the doubt for being undefeated, but the SOS number is a little suspect.  By the criteria, I suspect WashU has a better resume.  Not sure that'll matter unless it comes down to second weekend hosting, but let's hope it doesn't come to that either.

Yeah I wasn't sure about Whitman's potential rank in the eyes of the NCAA selection committee, thats why I included the parenthesis, noting #1 on the d3hoops poll.

It is an interesting debate, as WashU definitely does have a rock solid resume with a higher SOS and a lot of results versus regionally ranked opponents (8 off the top of my head, 7-1). But hard to blame Whitman who has went out there and won every game they played, so far at least. Sure you could say schedule better, but that becomes very difficult due to their geography. Like you stated, here is hoping they meet in Salem rather than St. Louis or Walla Walla.

[WUPHF]

Like you stated, here is hoping they meet in Salem rather than St. Louis or Walla Walla.

My better half is hoping those two teams meet in Walla, Walla, but she is always looking for an excuse to visit the PNW.

After watching the team lose in the first or second round 6 times (5 at home) since the national championship era, I just hope they are playing somewhere.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Like you stated, here is hoping they meet in Salem rather than St. Louis or Walla Walla.

My better half is hoping those two teams meet in Walla, Walla, but she is always looking for an excuse to visit the PNW.

After watching the team lose in the first or second round 6 times (5 at home) since the national championship era, I just hope they are playing somewhere.

Walla Walla is a little more NW than PNW, though.

[WUPHF]

+1 For some reason, I thought Walla, Walla was closer to Mount Hood.  Have to pack the snow shoes.

[(509)Rat]

Yeah eastern Washington is not really what you have in mind. Between the tri cities and Walla Walla though there is apparently some very good wine.

[(509)Rat]

In other news, Linfield basketball still incapable of functioning after spending too much time on a bus.

They will return to eastern WA (Walla Walla most likely) next Thursday for what I imagine will be another uninspired performance, primarily due to unfair travel requirements.

[D O.C.]

Wifey will be disappointed when she finds herself miles from nowhere in Washington.
Some scenic bus rides though.

[BluesBrother]

Wifey will be disappointed when she finds herself miles from nowhere in Washington.

There are worse places to visit: http://www.krem.com/travel/walla-walla-makes-list-of-50-best-places-to-travel-in-2018/497352976

[blackhawks4]

Without a doubt Wash U had a more difficult schedule.  But I find it very hard to believe that Whitman will not be #1 overall--what they did last year parlayed with undefeated this year.  I know it's not based on last year, but it seems like in D3 (more than other levels) we're stuck making assumptions like this because the top teams don't end up playing each other or having mutual opponents. 

Last year Whitman proved their high ranking--remember Whitman went through the Marrietta pod--who hosted  last year because it was a more convenient location.  And Marrietta was a team that Whitman beat head-to-head on a neutral court in Florida in the regular season

Hard for Whitman to schedule better.  There's only so much travel budget.  Went to D3Hoops classic and scheduled the two most reputable national programs that signed up for the tourney (Stevens Point & Ohio Wesleyan). 

Regarding hosting, Whitman's womens team LOST last night (big upset), and lost the conference title.  I would think this means George Fox will host on the womens side, and 1st round games will be in Walla Walla again.  They will be joined by Whitworth and Claremont, and one other again.  Last year the committee flew (what seemed to be #64 seeded) Rhoades College out to play WMN in first round.  Would like to see that again, which would set up a tough game in the 2nd round against Clartemont

[Mr. Ypsi]

First round men's games were going to be in Walla Walla even without the WM women losing.  Someone had misread the calendar - MEN have priority this year for first weekend hosting.

[A Buc Forever]

In other news, Linfield basketball still incapable of functioning after spending too much time on a bus.

They will return to eastern WA (Walla Walla most likely) next Thursday for what I imagine will be another uninspired performance, primarily due to unfair travel requirements.

Can we at least have some sympathy for the parents of the Linfield parents that are driving 3 hours from Spokane to Walla Walla today in the snow storm?  Probably going to be snowing when they make the trip next week also. 

[(509)Rat]

In other news, Linfield basketball still incapable of functioning after spending too much time on a bus.

They will return to eastern WA (Walla Walla most likely) next Thursday for what I imagine will be another uninspired performance, primarily due to unfair travel requirements.

Can we at least have some sympathy for the parents of the Linfield parents that are driving 3 hours from Spokane to Walla Walla today in the snow storm?  Probably going to be snowing when they make the trip next week also.

Sure. I wouldn't want to be on 261 or 195 in bad weather. I'd honestly probably take the scenic route and go to the tri cities on 395 and then over to Walla Walla if there's much snow falling. Seems like every year there's at least 1 fatality due to inclement weather on the highways going into Pullman.