Thursday, November 28, 2013

Huge November 30th Basketball Match-Up

By Greg Crawford, Small College Basketball Insider @wchoops

Not many small college games in my hometown of Portland, Oregon can match the game which will take place on Saturday night at Concordia University in North Portland.

At 7:30, on November 30th, the Cavaliers will place host to the Lewis and Clark Pioneers, from SW Portland and  this is a big one. As your small college basketball insider, I have projected that both of these teams will win their regular season titles this year, Concordia the Cascade Collegiate Conference and Lewis and Clark the Northwest Conference.

Curt Bickley, the outstanding coach of Multnomah University has already played Concordia this year and has also seen Lewis Clark many times as he will play them on December 18th.

"This really is the classic inner citty match-up," said Bickley. "In my mind it is impossible to pick a winner, as it is the powerful shooting of LC, against the powerful inside game of Concordia. This is going to be fun and every person who loves basketball should show up."

Of course Bickley is referring to the potent 3-point shooting of LC, led by one of the best shooters in all of college basketball Quentin Sims, who recently against Warner Pacific went 9 of 11 from the 3-point line. Bickley also loves the inside game of Concordia, led by their senior all-american Adam Herman.

And mentioning both Sims and Herman is not meant in the least to slight the other players on both squads as both teams are so talented and have deep benches.

Hats off as well to both Dinari Foreman and Brad Barbarick, who are not only are talented coaches, but also people who shape the lives of young people for years to come. Lots of teams of this talent in the same city would not play each other, but on November 30th, basketball fans will get to see these teams play each other and it will be some treat.

Prediction: Overtime

You can read more of Greg Crawford as he covers college basketball for CSNWW.com and Crawford's Court, www.csnnw.com/blog/crawfords-court

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Multnomah Lions Continue Tough, But Rewarding November

By Greg Crawford, Basketball Insider @wchoops

In some ways 11 year Multnomah Lions' head coach Curt Bickley will be glad November is over and in some ways he will not.

"When we set up our schedule, we knew it would be really tough," said Bickley. "But out of some losses, we also have gained confidence and I have never been afraid to schedule quality opponents, because playing against teams that might be better on paper, makes you a better basketball team.

The road of roughness continues on Tuesday night, when the Lions meet Oregon Tech and its legendary coach Danny Miles, who very soon will be in the Basketball Hall of Fame.

"We enjoy our time going to Klamath Falls," says Bickley. "We always know OIT is strong and we also know the fans are wild about their team, which presents challenges for everyone who plays OIT at home. But once again, we will gain confidence and come out of the game a better team for sure.

After the Tuesday night game, the Lions will return to close out November with a battle against crosstown Warner Pacific on the Knight's home floor, on Tuesday November 26th.

Then after a few days off, Multnomah will start December by  traveling to Michigan for a three game trip, returning for their next home game on December 12th against North Adelaide.

Greg Crawford is the college basketball insider for CSNNW.com and you can always read his work there at www.csnnw.com/blog/crawfords-court


Thursday, November 14, 2013

Multnomah Lions Face Big Weekend

By Greg Crawford, Basketball Insider

@wchoops

Coach Curt Bickley's Multnomah Lions face another big weekend, as they battle two tough teams from the Pacific Northwest.

On Friday night, November 15th the Lions will take on NAIA member Lewis and Clark State, always a tough match-up.

After a the 7:00 game on Friday, the Lions come right at back at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday to face Cascade Collegiate Conference member, Northwest Christian from Eugene. Northwest Christian is coached former Oregon Duck great Luke Jackson.

"This run of tough games in November, can't help but make us better in December to March," said Bickley. "Yes we want to win every game we play, but at the same time even in losses it is important to keep improving and gain confidence. I really like this group of players we have this year, especially the competitive nature."

If you have never been to Multnomah University, it is located at 8435 NE Glisan and is a great location to watch a game. At the same time you will think the sky is raining 3s, as it is part of the culture of Multnomah University basketball to attack on the offensive end with a barrage of 3s. It is must see basketball.

For more coverage of college basketball, you can read Greg Crawford's---- Crawford's Court, each Tuesday and Friday, at CSNNW.com and come January can watch him on Comcast SportsNet on Talkin' Ducks (basketball version).

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Concordia Visits Multnomah On 11/6/2013

By Greg Crawford, Basketball Insider

There is nothing like a great college inner-city battle in basketball. And just as such will take place on Wednesday night, November 6th when the Concordia Cavaliers of the Cascade Collegiate Conference travel to Multnomah University to meet the Lions with a tip-off at 7:00 p.m

The game will feature coaches that are two great friends. "I have great respect for Coach Bickley at Multnomah and what he has been able to do with his program. He fully understands his players, how to place them in a position to succeed and is constant in his efforts," says Concordia head coach Brad Barbarick.

It is mutual respect from Coach Bickley. "We are really looking forward to playing Concordia and Coach Barbarick. His 20 years at Concordia have been both successful on the floor and in the classroom and it is an honor to call him my friend."

This will be one of the toughest opponents Multnomah will play all year, as Concordia is talented, deep and is led by all-american Adam Herman.

For Coach Bickley, the game plan is simple. "Even though we are playing up, we do not want to get away from Multnomah University basketball. We need proper spacing and getting up our 3-point game, which is the strength of our game. This will be a challenge, but challenges in November is exactly what will make us a better team in March."

A huge crowd is expected at Multnomah, 8435 NE Glisan and if you are a fan of basketball, you should be part of that crowd. And once again, a great place to watch a game and the parking is always free.

You can also follow Greg Crawford on CSNNW.com with Crawford's Court and on twitter @wchoops.