MBB: Northwest Conference

[oldnwcer]

Logshow, PLU may be only 3.5 players deep, but with 3 players who are  all conference players, they have to be considered legitimate league title contenders.    Brandeberry may just be back from the IR, but his numbers in the box score are pretty impressive.   The PLU-UPS matchup on Tuesday looks to be a very interesting game.    The only problem I see is that after Heidenreich, PLU drops off in the ball handling dept pretty heavily.  As for LC, I am not sure if you take the top two defenders and rebounders from any team in the conference, that they could win against the top half of this conference on any given night.  Tough hole to dig out of.   Their D2 transfer who hurt his knee against Pacific is the real deal, and they missed him as much as Rivera.    Whitworth kind of dug a little hole themselves with that loss at Linfield, and don't count Linfield out yet, either.
Interesting first week, huh?   Linfield, PLU and UPS all 2-0!!!!!

[Pio20]

I think the PLU game shows how important Rivera is to the Pios, without him their defense just isn't there. Not sure why he didn't play, but hopefully he will be back by next weekend's games. Even though it's basically the exact same two teams as last season, UPS definitely seems to be a few steps ahead of the Pios at this point in the season.

That game must have really hurt especially at home.  PLU seems to be playing really well right now.

LCPios I would agree with you 100% about Rivera.  Watching LC play UPS last year, you could just tell he was there glue guy, he did everything.

Any other thoughts about the game LCPios or Pio20?  Even w/o Rivera, I would have thought LC would have handled PLU.  PLU is only 3.5 guys deep, with Brandeberry coming off an injury.  Seems like LC should have enough talent to still win.

I think in general the Pios just really haven't pulled together as a team yet. Part of that is the impact that the transfers have had. Papenfuss came in and is now our leading scorer and Josh Kollasch has started quite a few games and is very athletic. I think part of the reason LC was picked to repeat was that they are returning 4 of 5 starters. In other words, we are supposed to be as good as last year and building on that. But instead I think the impact of the transfers has changed that. The whole dynamic of the team is very different from last year in my eyes. David Berrgren, who dominated from three point land last season is struggling this season to find his stroke. Last year's leading scorer Joey Toboni is now our third leading scorer. I have seen Coach Gaillard use multiple line changes in games, not sure if he still is. I mean every team loves to have 10 players that can start and 10 players that can all score, but I think in our case right now that is hurting us. All the pieces are still trying to fit together. Looking at last year it took us a while to fit it all together as well. It wasn't until late in the season that we hit our stride. The only thing is that this year, we have higher expectations, and we know it is all but impossible to finish second in conference and get into the tourney. And yes right now, if we played UPS, we would get crushed. Hopefully we will pull it together quick.

[pineconefan]

Disappointed with Whitworth's loss at Linfield, but can't really comment because the Pirates have yet to play a home game this season and I haven't had a chance to see the new players in person.  I had thought Symes would be scoring more, but no observations otherwise.

Interesting game coming up on Friday.  Either L&C or Whitworth will pick up a second NWC loss early in the year.

[cawcdad]

First, I realize inferences can't be made from one game, things change as a season progresses. But I was able to see 4 NWC teams in OOC games and talked to a former student who plays for CSU Stanislaus. He had high praise for UPS, said they may be coming down this way for the CSUS tournament next year. Of the 4 teams I saw L&C was definately the best. Linfield looked a bit better than Whitworth (such that each will win in their own crib) and Whitman was the weakest of the four. I will not see any more NWC games so I look forward to reading the comments from the regulars here. Have fun and I hope you all have some entertaining games to watch.

[Pio20]

Any predictions for the PLU-UPS game? Seems to me if UPS can play better defense than LC did they shouldn't have any problem as long as they shoot like they have been all year. But it is conference and you never know...

[Pio20]

New top 25 is up. LC drops from #16 to #22. That's about what I figured. UPS moves up a spot to #9. Looking at the polls the past few seasons (excluding last season of course) it looks like the top ten is familiar territory for UPS.

[LogShow]

New top 25 is up. LC drops from #16 to #22. That's about what I figured. UPS moves up a spot to #9. Looking at the polls the past few seasons (excluding last season of course) it looks like the top ten is familiar territory for UPS.

Pio20 you are right about that.  UPS has pretty much been ranked since the middle of the 2003-04 season, and have been ranked as high as #3.  It is nice to be recognized, even though the ranking don't help you get into the national tournament.

[LogShow]

Any predictions for the PLU-UPS game? Seems to me if UPS can play better defense than LC did they shouldn't have any problem as long as they shoot like they have been all year. But it is conference and you never know...

Well its going to be a fun one to watch, thats for sure.  Last year PLU gave UPS quite a scare at home before shakey free throw shooting down the strech doomed the Lutes.  I got to believe that they are riding high after starting league 2-0 with a big win over LC.  If UPS needs to contain PLU's top 3 players, especially Dressler (who has been putting up huge numbers).  If UPS doesn't and isn't ready to play then it will be a battle.  I think that UPS will be more then ready to hand it to the Lutes.  I am looking for Marsh to have a big game, he has been kind of quiet lately, so he is due.  I my prediction is after a tight first half the Loggers pull away big in the 2nd, 107-88. 

[UPSoundLogs]

Big game tonight!!!  PLU looks like they are on the rise this year, they will certainly be able to sneak up on people(LC) because of how bad they have been the last few years.  If UPS comes ready to play and doesnt overlook the Lutes then I'm guessing it will be a rout....if they come in too overconfident by their new #9 ranking and dont take their Tacoma rivals seriously they will be in big trouble. 

My prediction...Justin Lunt is an ex-Lute and I think he will be pretty fired up to play his old school and knowing the UPS team, they dont overlook their opposition too often.  I think they'll come out fired up to be playing at home again and win pretty big. 
I've got UPS 96....PLU 80. 

I hope to make it to the game so hopefully I'll have some first hand observations 8). 

Logshow, will you be in attendance?

[LogShow]

SoundLogs, I am planning on being there.  Even though the school's are still on break, I am expecting a big crowd tonight.  Lots of people in the tacoma community come out to watch this game.

Pio20, what did you go to LC's game against PLU? What did you think of the Lutes?

[Pio20]

I didn't go to the game, as we are still on break until the 22nd. But I am actually heading back to Ptown tonight and am disappointed we don't have a home game until the 19th! But I am planning on making the short trip over to George Fox to see that game on the 18th and I am excited to see some basketball!

[LogShow]

good luck tonight Loggers, go get those Lutes!

[Pio20]

PLU beating UPS 57-50 at the half. Sounds like quite a game!

[Pio20]

UPS nips PLU in double OT! Wow what a game! Sounded to me like PLU ran with UPS the whole game then UPS scored the first nine points in the second OT and it was over. Thoughts from the Logger fans?

[LCPios07]

Wow!! Looks like it was a great game in Tacoma, and appears that PLU has a team that will be in the race for the long haul. For those that have been following NWC a little longer, what do you think the difference is with this years PLU team as compared to the past??