MBB: Northwest Conference

piofan · November 05, 2005, 05:42:59 AM

That all makes a lot of sense in creating more D3 vs D3 action, and think thats a great idea. In regards to competing with the scholorship schools, I still think there should be a small bonus (not saying it is a lot by any means) for playing these teams. Just a personal thought. I think playing the "big boys" makes teams and programs better.

The part I do not get is the not counting of games outside of the region. I think a D3 vs D3 game should count no matter what. It also allows some programs to be able to travel a little bit more. Always fun for the kids. At least they are trying to make the Christmas Break schedule like that.

In regards to the Midwest teams and East teams having better chances at tournament time, that seems real easy for me to understand. More schools, more opportunity to play in the region. I do not think that is too much. A bit unfair, maybe, but in the rules. Remember the NWC decide to go D3, and that is part of the game that needs to be played. The answer is simple, go to California and play as many games as you can to get the count up. Again, assuming I am reading and understanding correctly.

Gregory Sager · November 05, 2005, 11:09:55 AM

Playing the big boys does make D3 teams better (and richer, incidentally, since D1 and D2 teams are required to give gate guarantees to their D3 visitors). But D3 presidents, ADs, and coaches tend to view that as reward enough. It's all the incentive that's needed to schedule those games. Giving D3 teams actual tournament-relevant credit for them would be more trouble than it's worth.

You're basically preaching to the choir with regard to your statement that all D3 vs. D3 games should count for tournament purposes, since that's an almost-universal belief on Posting Up. Nevertheless, I do understand the reasoning behind D3's leadership electing to make only regional games tournament-relevant, even though I don't agree with it. Time spent traveling long distances on buses (or, in the NWC's case, planes) in order to play games means time spent away from the classroom. In D3's philosophy the classroom is paramount, and every attempt should be made to keep D3 student-athletes from missing class time. Contrast that with D1, where the mercenaries who are disguised as student-athletes miss half of their classes because they're flying from one end of the continent to the other in the middle of the week for basketball games.

piofan · November 05, 2005, 05:46:37 PM

I agree with the classroom thought process of D3, but of course the next question would be, how can you not count D3 games when school is out of session during the semester break. Glad they want to fix that now, and better late than never, but should have been done a long time ago since it doesnt effect the classroom. (again, probably the choir here singing also)

And if they are worried about classroom time, then its easy for the schools in CA, to fly up and NWC to fly down. You could leave late Friday, play Saturday and Sunday, and still catch flights back. So seems to me the schools need to try and fix their schedules to do this to maximixe their chances. Then use the semester break to head to Texas, Arizona, and the East Coast (I think I saw these places on different schedules).

Himjay23 · November 06, 2005, 02:02:08 AM

The NWC just came out with the preseason coaches poll:

1-Puget Sound-all 9 first place votes-90pts
2-George Fox-62 pts
3-Whitworth-61 pts
4-Willamette-50 pts
5-Lewis & Clark-45 pts
6-Linfield-36 pts
7-Whitman-35 pts
8-PLU-20 pts
9-Pacific-15 pts

Thoughts, reaction?

blackhawks4 · November 06, 2005, 06:06:34 PM

UPS lost 107-90 to san jose st. Not bad playing without McVey. As everyone knows I'm as big a UPS fan as there is, but they are young!!! They're really gonna need great leadership if they're gonna run through the NWC as expected. If anyone can do it, its the 4 seniors they have now. But, after the UPS starting 5, everyone else is unproven. And with the way they play, they're gonna need more than 5.

Himjay, I'm so confused as to how Hayford becomes more qualified than Bridgeland for COTY if UPS goes 15-1 as you said. That would make UPS only um... 45-3 in the NWC in 3 years. Whitworth and Linfield should be the class of the NWC year in and year out. Their facilities, reputation, administration, fan, booster support, and correct me if I'm wrong but budget exceed everyone elses. Whther they've underachieved or UPS has overachieved, no coach is more deserving than Puget Sound's.

Himjay23 · November 06, 2005, 07:16:47 PM

You make a strong point. I should have said however, that I think puget will end up 14-2 or 13-3. I think they will lose at Whitworth and they will be upset by someone along the likes of George Fox, Willamette. If both teams finish in the 14-2, 13-3 range then Hayford should get it. I do agree though, with what your saying about Whitworths budget and the facilities they have. I said that the loggers would be 15-1 before I knew that Cross would not be with them this year. Also, does anyone know why McVey didn't play?

Big Dave · November 08, 2005, 01:44:10 AM

Quote from: Himjay23 on November 06, 2005, 07:16:47 PM
does anyone know why McVey didn't play?

I was told that he hadn't been feeling well last week.

piofan · November 09, 2005, 02:52:27 AM

COTY always comes down to the way teams perform. If UPS is challenged at all in more than a game or two and still win, Bridgeland should win it. But if UPS blows everyone out of the water than that is great recruiting to get better players and not necessarily better coaching.

If another team, say WW or a team from the bottom of the coaches poll makes the playoffs, then look for that coach to win the COTY. I personally think Bridgeland, despite all the great things he has done, may be out of the running at the start of the season, because he is expected to do so well. No arguments from me he is a great coach, just another thought as to why another coach probably wins COTY.

SpooH SreggoL · November 10, 2005, 11:31:22 AM

Zack McVey isnt even an Honorable Mention All-American?! Ridiculous! You cant tell me there are 10 better D3 big men out there.

Loggerville · November 14, 2005, 06:19:57 PM

Have to agree with SpooH SreggoLregarding McVey.

Perhaps McVey can tape this list inside his locker and remind himself of the haters out there each night. Scary when he plays with passion.

As for

Quote from: piofan on November 09, 2005, 02:52:27 AM
COTY always comes down to the way teams perform. If UPS is challenged at all in more than a game or two and still win, Bridgeland should win it. But if UPS blows everyone out of the water than that is great recruiting to get better players and not necessarily better coaching.

This makes no sense to me. Last time I checked, recruiting was in a coaches' job description, so "punishing" a coach for having better talent on the floor is just crazy. In fact, you could make an argument that by having more talent suit up and take to the floor, Bridgeland is outworking his peers not just on game night but over the course of a season.

I'll grant you that game day coaching is an important part of selecting a COY, but selecting a coach who takes an average team and has them over perform for a few weeks is rewarding one type of achievement. Recruiting talent, getting that talent to by into a system of play that doesn't highlight individuals, and responding to everyone's best shot night in and night is no small achievement. Blowing teams out of the water is not a result of grabbing kids, handing them jerseys and having them roll-up tough NWC teams. It is a committment to a program that goes beyond game day. That is plenty to qualify one for COY in my opinion. Expectations aside, the winner of the NWC should get the award.

piofan · November 14, 2005, 10:50:07 PM

Loggerville- I agree with 100% that recruiting is part of the job, and that it should go into the COY award, but if a coach's team that plays better than expected for the whole year is going to have better chances. For years, the COY is based on the season and not the whole year. I know Bridgelands work ethic personally, and he deserves it already, but if another team gives him a run for his money, then that other coach will probably get COY.

Greek Tragedy · November 17, 2005, 01:36:02 AM

Be sure to head over to the Multi-Regional Topics Board and select your team for the new Survivor Pool!

You might actually win something!

Deadline is Friday before the first game's tipoff

Himjay23 · November 17, 2005, 10:46:05 AM

Season officially starting tomorrow. Some games that could be interesting:

PLU @ Eastern Washington

L&C vs. Colorado-Pueblo (D2)

Pacific vs. Southern Oregon

Should be VERY hard for any of these three to pull of an upset.

piofan · November 17, 2005, 03:52:01 PM

Should be very hard. LC should hoist a lot of threes. They put up 72 against Oregon State in their exhibition game. They took 88 shots in all. Going to be interesting year on Palatine Hill.

Himjay23 · November 17, 2005, 04:28:08 PM

From what I see, it should be a long year as well. Once teams just start daring them to take it inside or the three isn't falling, just like at OSU, they really don't have much of a chance. Also, the 5 in, 5 out formula works for Grinnell and Redlands, but if you only have a few guys who can hit outside shots like LC, it doesn't make much sense.