MBB: Northwest Conference

[D O.C.]

(I, like BHawks, am wondering how Linfield's football team can be so dominant, yet Basketball has fallen on hard times)...

ditto!

[bearcatsfan3]

Region Rankings are out...

UPS is #2 behind Oxy
Willamette is #6

Question: The rankings list WU as 15-3 14-6 but aren't they actually 13-2 in region, and 14-6 overall??

Where's the Pirate/Logger chatter?

I like UPS to sweep this weekend...I know Pirates are tough at home, but it seems like the Loggers are a bad matchup for Whitworth, the Pirates are a bad matchup for Willamette, and the Bearcats are a bad matchup for UPS...interesting top 3 situation, and the rest of the league so far out of it...any Fox people with comments on what happened to the Bruins this year?

[ds0097]

it's kind of weird to see Occidental at the top of the basketball rankings, but they have the better record, and if UPS wins out (and I know that no given) I don't see how the committee can't move them up to #1. Occidental won't have a better in conference record, and I think the in-region record would favor UPS.

It'll also be interesting to see how the committee handles the three Winsconsin teams. I've been hearing that only 1, at most 2 of those teams could make the tourney. Could that boost the 'Cats chances? If they win out and then come in second to UPS in the tourney it would put some serious pressure on the selection committee.

[pineconefan]

Well, Friday night is certainly a big game.  I can understand by Bearcatfan would be pulling for UPS because that would keep things simple for Willamette heading into the final weekend.  A Whitworth win definitely makes things more complicated.  The main reason I don't think the match-up problem applies between UPS and Whitworth is the first game was close and easily could have gone the other way.  In the Willamette-whitworth case, Whitworth won by 28 at home and 16 on the road.

But the Pirates are definitely the team that has to prove something this weekend.  The fact is UPS has won five in a row over Whitworth and the last two in Spokane.  It should be a better crowd since the student body is back in town.

Whitworth's forwards are playing really well right now.  They are getting toughness out of the post, which we haven't seen since Depew.  Biggest question facing Pirate fans - what would happen if B. Williams went down with an injury.  The guys is sometimes playing 40 minutes.

[blackhawks4]

The regional rankings are a joke!  Very, very confused as to how Occidental is #1?? 

UPS is 12-1 in region, and 17-3 overall--with losses to Warner Pac (#3 in the nation NAIA), illinios wesleyan (#7 in the nation D3), and willamette!  UPS also beat Riverside D1 (I know it doesn't count). 

Who has Occidental played?  La Sierra?  Pacific Union?  Terrible teams.  And did Occidental really only beat Cal Tech by 14!!!LOL.   I hope they played their last five guys the entire game.  And I hope those last five played left handed and blindfolded.  UPS played horribly at Cal Tech and won by 50.  You honestly cannot compare the SCIAC and the NWC, we've also beat them the past 2 years in the tourney. (yes i realize the wisconsin schools could use this entire argument about us!!)

Yes bearcatsfan, NWC play is tolerable this year...but just wait...UPS is still going to go 15-1 just like i've said all year.   (hope i don't pull a himjay).

But before that, UPS has to get something offensivley in Spokane.  Whether it's Curtiss, McVey, Marsh, whoever, they all can't play poorly offensively.  Be nice to see McVey have a big one.

In tacoma, UPS took Williams out of it by denying him the ball in the full court and making somebody else bring it up.  When he finally did get it, he played terrible(1st half).  Look for them to do the same thing in spokane.  If that doesn't work, look for the Loggers to "get gangster on Williams and slug him."

I'm worried about @ Whitworth, and terrified @ Whitman.

The Bearcats aren't a bad matchup with UPS. Their place is the toughest in conference (for UPS especially) and they're a good team this year.  UPS has lost the past 3 years at the second place teams court. 

In my opinion, UPS has a slim chance at making tourney if they win out and lose in playoffs, whitworth and willamette have no chance if they lose the tourney (regardless of who wins league).  Those bids will go to the wisconsin schools or other conferences.

And come'on formercat, you got all pc on us...that's not whats happening down in McMinville.

[David Collinge]

Congratulations to Phil Heu-Weller (3.96, Bus. Admin./Econ.) of George Fox for being selected today by CoSIDA (the College Sports Information Directors of America) to the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District First Team for District 8, College Division.  By being selected, Phil automatically becomes a nominee for selection to the Academic All-America team for the College Division. 

Named to the second team for District 8 were Pacific Lutheran's Drew Cardwell (3.70, Physics/Math) and Whitman's Kyle Born (3.61, English).

Congratulations to these fine student-athletes!

Men's Academic All-District Teams

[Pat Coleman]

Blackhawks4,

You should learn a little bit about the regional rankings process. You mentioned all sorts of games that are completely irrelevant.

Check out my blog post from yesterday:

http://www.d3hoops.com/dailydose/?p=125

[blackhawks4]

Pat:  Maybe you misunderstood my post.  I said Occidental being #1 is a joke!!!  If you think Occidental is better than Puget Sound or any Wisconsin team you're drunker than I am on this beautiful thursday night (I'm a very credible poster).  I also mentioned that I knew the games were irrelevant.  What I'm saying is that the SCIAC is a bad conference and it is ridiculous that they are #1.  You can use all the criteria you want but that doesn't change the fact that if they lineup with somebody half decent they're gonna get run.   Come'on Cal Tech by 14!!!!  Cal Tech is the worst team in the nation...I think statistically...but I'm sure you know.  I know you go by the numbers and the official process but do you really want to take Occidental's side here???  Do they really deserve a first round bye? 

[David Collinge]

I've seen Occidental (vs. Amherst), and I've seen Puget Sound (twice, vs. Behrend and vs. Illinois Wesleyan).  Those games were a while back, and it's possible that things have changed.  But based on those games, I think Occidental is the better team.  And I'm not drunk.

[Pat Coleman]

You can use all the criteria you want 

Oh good -- because the criteria are all that matters in regional rankings.

By the way, I think there are probably 50 D-III teams that could have beaten UC Riverside at that point in the season.

You said:

Very, very confused as to how Occidental is #1??

I suggested you read the criteria. That's all. Should be painfully clear if you actually bother to do so.

[bearcatsfan3]

Far be it from me to jump on BHawks side too often in here, but if were talking about the criteria and "its painfully obvious," then you have Oxy with one region loss (to LaVerne) and UPS with one region loss (to #6 Willamette)...Oxy is 10-1 in region games, UPS is 12-1...they have not played head to head, and the only common region opponent is Whitworth, who both beat in extremely tight games...now, oxy is one game better in overall record, but that's not a true indication of much, as you never know how each team schedules (difficult, patsy, etc.)...

While BHawks is often quick to jump on the Loggers side in an extreme way, in this case doesn't he have at least an argument? At the very least, it is NOT painfully clear.

PC, also want your take on a NWC team getting an at large, as I agree with BHawks (twice in one day, I must be drunk) that UPS has the only shot at that at large selection...

[Pat Coleman]

The QOWI is far, far in favor of Occidental. Regional record isn't the only criterion. Again, back to the blog link I posted earlier.

He can argue that Occidental is not the best team in the West Region, but it's hard ... again, when looking at the criteria ... to say they shouldn't be the top-ranked team in said criteria.

I wouldn't rule out Willamette getting a Pool C bid if they win out and lose in the NWC final. There are 18 Pool C bids this year.

[bearcatsfan3]

What is the QOWI formula? I went to the blog and saw the numbers (definately in favor of OXy) but how do you calculate it?

[Gregory Sager]

What is the QOWI formula? I went to the blog and saw the numbers (definately in favor of OXy) but how do you calculate it?

Score each in-region game as follows:

* 15 points for a road win over a team with a .667 or better in-region winning percentage
* 14 points for a home win over a team with a .667 or better in-region winning percentage
* 13 points for a road win over a team with an in-region winning percentage between .500 and .666
* 12 points for a home win over a team with an in-region winning percentage between .500 and .666
* 11 points for a road win over a team with an in-region winning percentage between .333 and .499
* 10 points for a home win over a team with an in-region winning percentage between .333 and .499
* 9 points for a road win over a team with an in-region winning percentage .332 or lower
* 8 points for a home win over a team with an in-region winning percentage .332 or lower
* 7 points for a road loss to a team with a .667 or better in-region winning percentage
* 6 points for a home loss to a team with a .667 or better in-region winning percentage
* 5 points for a road loss to a team with an in-region winning percentage between .500 and .666
* 4 points for a home loss to a team with an in-region winning percentage between .500 and .666
* 3 points for a road loss to a team with an in-region winning percentage between .333 and .499
* 2 points for a home loss to a team with an in-region winning percentage between .333 and .499
* 1 point for a road loss to a team with an in-region winning percentage .332 or lower
* 0 points for a home loss to a team with an in-region winning percentage .332 or lower

Add them all up, divide by the number of in-region games played, and there you have your QOWI.

[blackhawks4]

So I should expect to see Oxy in the Final Four huh? 

Something tells me the SoCal'ers should hold off just a minute before they book their flights.

I'm not arguing the criteria, I don't care even look at it.  What I can say is that Occidental is nowhere near the best team in the west region.  Now you can throw your numbers and stats at me but I guarantee you the second they lineup with somebody in that top 8 their going home!  And it's not going to be closer than 20, especially if it's a wiac school. 

Oxy is not better than UPS...I don't care where they play the game or if the use superbowl refs. 

Regardless...huge ups/whitworth game tonight...hope ww doesn't win and turn my whole argument against me