MBB: Northwest Conference

[NWCer]

"(Take your night goggles to Forest Grove--it's dark out there!)" -bbaddict

Just how we like it!!!!

Maybe the Bearcats practiced with their shades on this week in preparation 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)

[LogShow]

very true...I think Pac can be considered a nocturnal team

[NWCer]

"I still think between Linfield, PLU, and Willamette PLU is the best team" -Pio 20

Why? 

Well they were the better team the first half of the season...they have really fallen apart down the stretch.

But we're not in the first half of the season anymore, they have the longest current losing streak in the conference.

[Pio20]

Well I am basing that off of when I saw the teams play. PLU was the team that stuck out to me the most. I think PLU BEAT LC twice as supposed to LC LOSING to Willamette twice. I don't have stats or anything, I'm just going off what I saw this season. Then again I only saw those teams play LC so my view may be skewed.

[LogShow]

So since it's agreed that LC has all this talent, 4 returning all league players from a championship team, a ton of experience, along with some solid new guys.  Picked UNANIMOUSLY to come in first by the coaches, why the struggles?

When do you look at the coaches?

I haven't been able to figure out LC this year.  Nothing changed on their team from this year to last year except they added a pretty good post player.  The only thing that I can think of is that they are a team full of egos.  And when egos dont get enough playing time/shots/ect. then they get upset.  I just don't think that has allowed this LC team to gel.  I don't know when you start looking at the coaches....but I don't envy Gailard for having to deal with a bunch of me-first players, even if they have loads of talent.  Talent doesn't equate to success.  

Case in point, Willamette this year.

[Pio20]

So since it's agreed that LC has all this talent, 4 returning all league players from a championship team, a ton of experience, along with some solid new guys.  Picked UNANIMOUSLY to come in first by the coaches, why the struggles?

When do you look at the coaches?

I could definitely see Gaillard leaving after this year. This was supposed to be "the year." Apparently he was going to stay until Jeff Christensen graduated, which would have been the end of this year, but he transferred.

[LogShow]

"I still think between Linfield, PLU, and Willamette PLU is the best team" -Pio 20

Why? 

Well they were the better team the first half of the season...they have really fallen apart down the stretch.

But we're not in the first half of the season anymore, they have the longest current losing streak in the conference.

I am definately agreeing with you NWCer, just trying to maybe understand Pio's reasoning.  PLU is a completely different team this half...not sure what really happened to them.

[LogShow]

Did Christianson transferr this past year?

[Pio20]

So since it's agreed that LC has all this talent, 4 returning all league players from a championship team, a ton of experience, along with some solid new guys.  Picked UNANIMOUSLY to come in first by the coaches, why the struggles?

When do you look at the coaches?

I haven't been able to figure out LC this year.  Nothing changed on their team from this year to last year except they added a pretty good post player.  The only thing that I can think of is that they are a team full of egos.  And when egos dont get enough playing time/shots/ect. then they get upset.  I just don't think that has allowed this LC team to gel.  I don't know when you start looking at the coaches....but I don't envy Gailard for having to deal with a bunch of me-first players, even if they have loads of talent.  Talent doesn't equate to success. 

Case in point, Willamette this year.

I don't think it has to do with egos. I know Corey Allen was unhappy with his playing time. But besides that I think everyone was content. I think part of it was the early pressure to perform well. This team was not used to that. Remember that last season they were 4-3 before they came together and won conference. I think this year they just never really came together that same way. For what reasons I don't know. I think part of it was bringing in transfers who were supposed to contribute. It may have thrown off the team balance somewhat. Tyson Papenfuss was our leading scorer up through non-conference and then his scoring went straight down as I think we tried to go back to what we did last year and knew could win conference. Even when we were up 26 we looked uncomfortable.

[Pio20]

Did Christianson transferr this past year?

Yeah he walked on at Eastern Washington and is redshirting. He was also a big part of last year's  team.

[LogShow]

When you live and die by the 3 like LC does, there are lots of ups and downs...you can beat any team, or lose to the worst team

[LCPios07]

Just wanted to point out that it is not the "same exact team as last year" for LC. Christiansen started and played a lot of minutes last year. Definitely not THE reason for LC's struggles, but it isn't quite the same exact team.

[Pio20]

"I still think between Linfield, PLU, and Willamette PLU is the best team" -Pio 20

Why? 

Well they were the better team the first half of the season...they have really fallen apart down the stretch.

But we're not in the first half of the season anymore, they have the longest current losing streak in the conference.

I am definately agreeing with you NWCer, just trying to maybe understand Pio's reasoning.  PLU is a completely different team this half...not sure what really happened to them.

When I saw them play was when they were still winning, so perhaps my thought that they are the better team is no longer valid. Maybe I should say were the better team.

[LogShow]

Did Christianson transferr this past year?

Yeah he walked on at Eastern Washington and is redshirting. He was also a big part of last year's  team.

That might be a huge part as to why LC has struggled this year and shouldn't be overlooked.  Sounds like he was a chemistry guy who could gel a team.  Not to mention he was a pretty good player too.  I had forgotten about him transferring.

[Pio20]

When you live and die by the 3 like LC does, there are lots of ups and downs...you can beat any team, or lose to the worst team

This is very true, and Dave Berrgren never really found his stroke this year. He was another big part of that run last year. But by the same token, Tillery and Papenfuss took the ball inside a lot. So I don't think all their struggles can be placed on the three ball. If anything I think the struggles were more in their head than the court.