MBB: Northwest Conference

[David Collinge]

Whitworth drops one tonight at L&C, 66-60.

I must say that, except for the seriously goofy commercials for Dollar Resale and Columbia Hearing Centers, I really enjoy listening to Whitworth broadcasts on the web.  Bob Castle does an excellent job with his play-by-play.  I've listened to a lot of broadcasts all over the country, and I'd say that the KSBN broadcasts are very near the top in terms of quality. 

[David Collinge]

Now I'm listening to the KFOX broadcast of UPS at George Fox (UPS leading by 1 with 6:44 left in the second half), and while this broadcast isn't nearly as professional as KSBN, it's a heck of a lot more fun.  This play-by-play man (a GFU student?) has a big future in Latin American soccer announcing if he wants to go that way.  He's really into the game, and is translating the excitement very well.  I can't imagine how he's managed not to lose his voice yet.  It's great fun listening to this game.   

[Ralph Turner]

GFU by 5 with a minuteand a half left.

This may blow my Top 25!  I thought that I had some stability in the NWC, until this week!

[Ralph Turner]

GFU by 5 with a minute and a half left.

This may blow my Top 25!  I thought that I had some stability in the NWC, until this week!

GFU 68-63; 1:30 left.

[Ralph Turner]

GFU was down by 17 at one point in the game.

UPS -- GFU rebs.
GFU -- Robert Krauel (UPS) gets a technical.  Bruins make both Ft's. Up by 7,70-63.
UPS -- Time out.

[Ralph Turner]

GFU --  71-63 0:40 left.
Now 75-61 GFU.

Final GFU 75 UPS 63.

[David Collinge]

Whitworth's loss left the door open for the Loggers to regain the NWC lead, and UPS had a 17-point lead in the first half, but they couldn't sustain it.  This race is getting real interesting as Whitworth (8-2) now leads both UPS (7-3) and L&C (7-3) by 1 game and GFU (6-4) by 2 games.  Do I understand correctly that just the top 3 teams qualify for the conference tournament?

[Ralph Turner]

Whitworth's loss left the door open for the Loggers to regain the NWC lead, and UPS had a 17-point lead in the first half, but they couldn't sustain it.  This race is getting real interesting as Whitworth (8-2) now leads both UPS (7-3) and L&C (7-3) by 1 game and GFU (6-4) by 2 games.  Do I understand correctly that just the top 3 teams qualify for the conference tournament?

Yes, a 3-team tourney.  #3 at #2 on Thursday, then winner to #1.

[NWCer]

UPS faithful:  Why no Foster tonight?  If he's gone for any extended period of time that could be a HUGE blow for the Loggers.

Willamette quietly is starting to get it together, looks like they have a big weekend visiting my Boxers and a red hot LC team, we'll see if their resurgence is for real.

The race is getting good, for the title and the conference tourney.

Got to get out and see more of these games in person the final few weeks.  Any eye witness accounts from any of this weekend's games?

[nwhoops1903]

Big weekend for the traveling leaders and both take shots but UPS loses both!!  Wow.  I have seen every team play this year except Whitman and LC is the quickest.  Tillery appears to be my front runner for POTY.  As a Pirate fan I was hoping to say B Williams would be the man at this time of the year but its just not happening.  Losing Jones during crunch time really has hurt BW's options, but I do think they have found their new identity at WW and its inside.  Symes and Hasenfus are quite good in the post, but got limited by LC's active defense and shot way below their averages.  Hats off to LC. Nice win.

I think WW will take the GF gift and slide back to Spokane with the precarious 1 game lead and wonder how to avoid playing at LC for the Conf. Tourney Champ. game.  UPS must be in self check mode. LC still has UPS at home.  WW still goes to UPS.  WU wants respect! 

February is GO time!!

[Gray Fox]

David Collinge:

I agree with you about the Whitworth broadcasts on KSBN. Bob Castle does a great job. However, I must respectfully disagree about the commercials, especially Columbia Hearing Centers, which is a classic. I'd love to have a wav or mp3 of that one so I could have it play when I boot up my computer. I just wish I lived near Spokane so I could get my car checked over at Golden Rule Brake Service.

OxyBob

Some people only watch the Super Bowl to see the commercials.  I will be tuning into the next broadcast to see what the fuss is all about.  What a way to increase the Nielsen Ratings.

[(509)Rat]

I just got my car checked over at golden rule...seriously.  The Pirates were held to just 36.4% shooting in the second half, and 44.4% for the game.  I wasn't at the game (listened to most of it) so I couldn't tell if Whitworth was just off or if LC was playing good defense, forcing Whitworth to take bad shots.  Bryan Williams got in foul trouble early...very early, which will be trouble for the Pirates no matter who they're playing.  The good thing is UPS blew their chance to take the lead in the conference and Whitworth finally gets a weekend home.

[David Collinge]

David Collinge:

I agree with you about the Whitworth broadcasts on KSBN. Bob Castle does a great job. However, I must respectfully disagree about the commercials, especially Columbia Hearing Centers, which is a classic. I'd love to have a wav or mp3 of that one so I could have it play when I boot up my computer. I just wish I lived near Spokane so I could get my car checked over at Golden Rule Brake Service.

OxyBob

I'm thinking about buying a used car from Dollar Resale, whose commercials are so hokey that I wouldn't be surprised if their telephone number were BR-549, and then taking it over to Golden Rule to be serviced.  But Columbia Hearing Centers....oh my.    Just thinking about that jingle makes my ears bleed.   

[UPSoundLogs]

The Loggers had a real let down of a weekend.  Dropping two games in a row is not gonna make things any easier for them to start the second half of league play , especially when they lost to very beatable opponents.  Give credit to WU and GF for coming ready to play.  From the scores it looks like the UPS defense was horrible against Willamette and the offense was horrible against GF.  I didn't see either so I can't be sure.   Bcats, any thoughts from the WU game?

It's no time to push the panic button but with games still to play at LC and against WW the logs better step it up and start putting together some wins.  Tied for second is not a bad spot to be, however there's a tough road ahead to getting a tournament birth. 

Does anyone know why Foster didn't play against GF, I haven't seen any reason yet?  Not an excuse, but it seems like the outcome would have been much different had their leading scorer played. 

BTW, L and C is looking REALLY TOUGH, I would say its past time they get thrown into the league champ conversation.  They seem to be getting better as the year goes on, I think they have a great shot at making some noise towards the end of the year...they are bad news for UPS/WW!!! 

[Gilbert McFinnegan]

Yes the losses this weekend were suprising, but all it really did was put a real damper on the bid for multiple NWC bids into the tourney.

UPS still controls their own destiny towards the first seed, except now there is a "must win" situation for them down at LC.

Whitworth is still in the driver's seat for the first seed, but barring another even more catastrophic UPS meltdown between now and Feb. 9, they still have to go into UPS and beat them to get the top spot.

LC is now more clearly in the picture for an NWC playoff spot, but they still need help if they want that first seed.

Realistically, not too much has changed, but it sure has made things more interesting!!