MBB: Northwest Conference

[LCPios07]

A pair of big games tomorrow night with Linfield at UPS and LC at Whitworth.
It will be interesting to see if Linfield has enough to hang w/ UPS and either LC or Whitworth is going to be in a bit of a hole early in league play.

[LogShow]

A pair of big games tomorrow night with Linfield at UPS and LC at Whitworth.
It will be interesting to see if Linfield has enough to hang w/ UPS and either LC or Whitworth is going to be in a bit of a hole early in league play.

No doubt about it!  UPS/Linfield is for first place in the conference.  If UPS wins every other team will have a tally in the loss column.

LC/WW is going to be a great game.  LC has the talent and experience, but WW is a tough place to play...game might be a toss up.  The game is huge for both teams, 2 losses this early really puts that team behind the 8-ball.  I think the game will be a back and forth battle.  Not really sure who to pick, I guess I will go with WW just nosing out a victory, simply because it is tough to win there.

UPSoundLogs what do you think about these 2 games this weekend?

[LogShow]

Meant to add LCPio and Pio20...what are your guys thoughts on LC's big game this weekend?

[Pio20]

I think the Pios a) want to make up for the heartbreaking loss for the conference crown there last year and b) have been sitting around with the PLU loss on their minds and are anxious to get back on the court and make up for it. That said, WW is always dangerous and we will have Rivera back and ready to improve the D. I'm guessing Papenfuss tears it up inside with at least 15 points. If Tillery can get to the line and we can shoot better than 30% from the line I think we can pull off a win. Looking at WW, Symes will get his but we have to be wary of Riley, who is shooting a ridiculous .500 clip from the arc and Nakamura who is shooting at a .525 clip. They could hurt us. In their loss to Linfield, Nakamura only had 12 and Riley only 5. If we can contain those two I think we should be ok. I'm predicting a tight game at the half and hoping LC pulls away for the 72-64. Note the "hoping." I think the team is anything but confident right now and this game is big, both in the win column and the confidence of the team.

[UPSoundLogs]

Logshow,

The WW vs LC game is a big one.  With Rivera back I think the Pio's are going to pull out the win.  I dont know much about WW and their new guys, but just from looking at game scores and reading the post game write ups I dont think they are as good as they have been.  LC is a pretty dominant team and with them being back full strength I think they will overcome the TOUGH road trip to WW and come out on top. 

My prediction- LC 66  WW 62

As for the UPS vs Linfield game, I'm looking for the Loggers to come out with a focused first half.  If they are able to do that then I think they will bury Linfield.  UPS has been having to dig themselves out of holes lately and its making me nervous, if they play a complete game like they were at the beginning of the year they shouldn't have a problem.  Especially at home.

My prediction- UPS 102 Lin-86

And as a side note, I think you're right Logshow, the Lutes will be in the running for one of the 3 playoff spots I was very impressed with their performance on Tuesday.

[LogShow]

Here are the match-ups for tonight's games...


Pacific (Ore.) at Whitman

Lewis & Clark at Whitworth

Linfield at Puget Sound

George Fox at Willamette

[Pio20]

Here are my predictions:

Pacific beats Whitman 81-69
LC beats Whitworth 72-64
UPS beats Linfield 106-94
George Fox beats Willamette 88-73

Gonna be a fun night in the NWC!!!

[LCPios07]

While the Pios haven't really found their stride yet, it seems like WW has similarly struggled so far this year. I agree that this is a game the Pios have circled (because being so close last year on that floor) so I think they will play better, and of course having Rivera back is huge. I'll say the Pios pull out a close 71-66 win, although I wouldn't be surprised at all if the outcome is reversed.

[LogShow]

Here are my predictions:

Pacific beats Whitman 81-69
LC beats Whitworth 72-64
UPS beats Linfield 106-94
George Fox beats Willamette 88-73

I got Pac in a tight one over Whitman 75-72
WW/LC is a toss up..guess I will give the nod to WW because of home court
G Fox over Willamette 90-77
And of course the Loggers over Linfield 103-83

[LogShow]

UPSoundLogs are you going to make it to the game tonight?

[LogShow]

Good luck tonight Logs! Get it done against Linfield!

[Pio20]

Well this is disgustingly sad. The Pios are down 24-16 at the half and lucky it is not more. Could have easily pulled away to start the game but continued to give up offensive rebounds and have turned the ball over ten times. Not a formula for a win. The Pios are shooting all of 16% from three point range. They are lucky the Pirates are shooting equally as bad. They better pick it up or else they are gonna find themselves with another loss.

[David Collinge]

What's worse (except perhaps for Pio fans) is that, in listening to the game, my life hasn't been improved through better hearing even once!   

WW is up 18 now.

Elsewhere, Linfield is giving UPS a good test.  Loggers lead 74-69, under 7:00 left.

[Greek Tragedy]

WW's live stats have them up 53-27 with less than 7 min. to play.

[David Collinge]

Linfield had the game tied at 80 with 2:11 left, but UPS closed it out in style, winning 89-82.