MBB: Northwest Conference

[BucMan]

The posting changed.  Originally, as they were building the brackets, they had WW at PP, with the winner going to Oxy.  When I went back to see the finalized bracket, it is now PP at Oxy, with the winner going to WW (who received a bye).

[NWCer]

There was a correction.

Whitworth hosts the winner of Pomona/Occidental.  Game is Saturday

[pineconefan]

Wow.  Wow.  Wow.

I don't know if this is a matter of "goes around, comes around" for football, but we'll take it.   Whitworth at home on Saturday, can't wait!

[LogShow]

Wow.  So WW really did luck out.  

[bbaddict]

Congrats to Whitworth on winning the Conference Championship for real!  And kudos for getting a decent position in the playoffs.

Why is everyone surprised that PP/Oxy has to travel to Whitworth, who has a bye?  Whitworth beat PP in the regular season and comes from the NWC, where their only conference losses were to the 4 teams that tied for 3rd.  6 of 9 finished above .500 this year!  That's a tough conference.

I don't think it's luck -- they earned it.  And, they got ripped off during FB!

Sorry that the Bearcats are out for this year, but will cheer for the NWC, which right now is represented by Whitworth!  Go Bucs!

[nwhoops1903]

Whitworth hosts v Ponoma Pitzer on Thurs.

Winner goes to Occidental on Sat.

I am a bit confused.  This link http://www.d3hoops.com/salem/08/pairings.htm
has Whitworth with a bye then hosting the winner of Pomona/Oxy?

This is remarkable and incredibly awesome!!!!  With Chapman getting bounced from the B's the 3 pod was created for West Coast's 3 teams.  Oxy, despite better regional ranking, could not have been awarded 2 home games after losing their Conf. Tourney.  Coming to WW, who won NWC outright and the NWC tourney is the right move.  OXY wiill get their rematch vs PP  This all seems so ridiculously simple and justifiable.  I am so impressed with the committee for making a good choice.  The West Coast will have a representative in the 3rd round!!!

[LogShow]

Well WW definately earned their spot in the NCAA but considering they weren't ever ranked in the regional rankings (maybe the last secret rankings) it is very suprising.  There are 5 total byes, if they were strictly given on merit, then WW wouldn't even been considered as one of the top 5 teams in country.  But since the NCAA doesn't make any money on this tournament and tries to cut corners, WW gets the bye then gets to host.  Also I am pretty sure that in the rules it states that two teams from the same conference shall not meet each other in the first round.  

I think that what would have made the most sense would have been to give Chapman the bid and let Oxy host, then it could have been a 4-team pod of WW, Chapman, Oxy, and Pomona.  With WW playing Pomona and Oxy playing Chapman.  That way only WW would have had to fly and the NCAA could have saved their money, and that way the bye could have been better used else where.

[nwhoops1903]

Well WW definately earned their spot in the NCAA but considering they weren't ever ranked in the regional rankings (maybe the last secret rankings) it is very suprising.  There are 5 total byes, if they were strictly given on merit, then WW wouldn't even been considered as one of the top 5 teams in country.  But since the NCAA doesn't make any money on this tournament and tries to cut corners, WW gets the bye then gets to host.  Also I am pretty sure that in the rules it states that two teams from the same conference shall not meet each other in the first round.  

I think that what would have made the most sense would have been to give Chapman the bid and let Oxy host, then it could have been a 4-team pod of WW, Chapman, Oxy, and Pomona.  With WW playing Pomona and Oxy playing Chapman.  That way only WW would have had to fly and the NCAA could have saved their money, and that way the bye could have been better used else where.

I think it is clear that the committee did not want Chapman in the field  Losses to all the other 3 WC teams in the field made that an easy call if they decided to exercise it and they did.  The 3 pod was created and in this scenario only one team flys (winner of Oxy-PP).  If 4 teams are in, only 1 team flys (WW).  My bets were on the 4 team set you mentioned but no, Chapman is out.  As far playing against your own Conf. in first round, that can't be a rule or it wouldn'y happen.  I think it is a strong consideration to consider, but in this scenario where Oxy is clearly the better team, this works.

[bbaddict]

I actually think it would be better if the west Coast teams didn't have to knock each other out during the 1st and 2nd rounds.  Look at the women's match-up.  Every year two NWC women's teams end up in the same pod and one is out!  This year, GFU & UPS were both ranked high regionally and look at them!

So, a little fairness in the men's contest is only right!

Besides, didn't Whitworth beat Richard Stockton in New York?  That has to count for something!

[nwhoops1903]

I actually think it would be better if the west Coast teams didn't have to knock each other out during the 1st and 2nd rounds.  Look at the women's match-up.  Every year two NWC women's teams end up in the same pod and one is out!  This year, GFU & UPS were both ranked high regionally and look at them!

So, a little fairness in the men's contest is only right!

Besides, didn't Whitworth beat Richard Stockton in New York?  That has to count for something!

You know there is WC and then there is the West.  The West will be well represented in the 3rd round.

[LogShow]

Thats because the West extends to Wisconsin and Texas! 

[nwhoops1903]

Thats because the West extends to Wisconsin and Texas! 

Word.

[LogShow]

Not to get too far ahead...but assuming the WW can make it past its home game in the second round, they will most likely face UW-WW in the sweet 16, #4 nationally.  And then in the elite 8 it would be Centre or Hope #2 & 3.  Yikes!

[nwhoops1903]

Not to get too far ahead...but assuming the WW can make it past its home game in the second round, they will most likely face UW-WW in the sweet 16, #4 nationally.  And then in the elite 8 it would be Centre or Hope #2 & 3.  Yikes!

That would fine by us.  The tourney is very top-heavy this year and having a round of 16 game will most likely be against a monster.  Upsets happen.  WW needs to get back Oxy first, sorry PP, just not gonna happen twice.

[bbaddict]

Thats because the West extends to Wisconsin and Texas! 

Word.

What's with that anyway?  It's been 200 years since Texas was "West" and Wisconsin?  Is it time to make a Midwest grouping?