Thursday, January 30, 2014

Multnomah Lions Face Two Big Games In Portland, Oregon

By Greg Crawford, basketball insider @wchoops and @crawssportsbiz

The Multnomah Lions will be able to sleep in their own beds in the next five days, but sleep will be needed as they face two tough contests in Portland, Oregon.

The first one is up right away, as the Lions will host Walla Walla on Friday, at home, with a game time of 2:00 p.m. Then Tuesday night they travel three miles up the road to face Portland Bible Colllege, with a 7:00 p.m. tip.

"We did not get a win on our recent trip out east to play Walla Walla twice and Lewis Clark State once, but we easily could have won two of those three games." said 11 year Lion head coach Curt Bickley. "I am sure it is on the minds of out players that we need to beat Walla Walla and it would give us a great confidence boost as we head down the home stretch of what has been a very tough schedule all year long."

If you are a basketball fan, you must get out to Multnomah on Friday and to Portland Bible on Tuesday. There is never a lack of excitement, 3-pointers will be flying and Multnomah is a great school to follow when it comes to small college basketball.

Greg Crawford is the college basketball, golf and sports business insider for CSNNW.com and can be read not only here, but at www.csnnw.com/blog/crawfords-court. Comments are always welcome below the blog and simple to do.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Craw's NWC/CCC Power Rankings (1/30/2014)

By Greg Crawford, basketball insider @wchoops @crawssportsbiz

Greg Crawford is the D-1 college basketball, golf and sports business insider and NBA Draft expert for CSNNW.com. And if you ever talk with Greg Crawford, you know he loves basketball on all levels and wants to promote the game on all levels. His NWAACC power rankings are enormously popular, now he wants to carry that over to the combo NWC/CCC power rankings for the first time today and will be out every Thursday to the finish off the season. Greg loves conversation, so please feel free to make a comment below, or email him at gregorycrawfordspeaks@gmail. Be respectful please, as Greg cares about all basketball teams, no matter what their record and just wants the game to thrive. Power rankings are and always will be controversial, but also lots of fun.

Greg always does his power rankings in nines, thus nine teams.

9. Pacific (4-4) (11-6)----The Boxers need to become more consistent, but Tim Cleary has changed the culture in Forest Grove and they can beat any team on any given night.

8. George Fox (5-4) (12-6)----The Bruins are having a really good year and are a fun team to watch, with their offense and pressure defense.

7. Northwest (7-4) (16-6)---Good coaching creates good basketball. It is no surprise that every year Northwest is in the upper tier of the CCC.

6. Lewis and Clark (5-3) (12-5)----Dinari Foreman has his usual good shooting club and exciting team to watch on Palatine Hill.

5. Whitman (6-2) (11-6)---No question since the arrival of Eric Bridgeland in Walla Walla, he has put Whitman on the map in NWC basketball.

4. Southern Oregon (7-4) (18-5)----Every time you watch Southern Oregon play, you appreciate the fact they play every play and are so well coached.

3. Concordia----In his 20th year, one of Brad Barbarick's best teams on the North Portland campus. Congrats to Coach Barbarick on achieving his 300th win this month.

2. Whitworth (7-1) (13-4)---There is more than one powerhouse team in Spokane, the Pirates one of the most consistent winners in all of college basketball on any level.

1. College of Idaho---Exciting team and good athletes have brought many wins for fist year coach Scott Garson in Caldwell. And now the Coyotes have something that can never be taken away from them, being the first ever number one in Craw's NWC/CCC power rankings.

Please follow Greg Crawford on twitter @wchoops and @crawssportsbiz and also if you like sports business, please read Craw's Sports Biz 59 Seconds each day at http://crawscorner.blogspot.com and you will never spend more than 59 seconds doing it.

Craw's NWAACC Power Rankings (1/29/2014)

Here we go with week four of Craw's NWAACC Power Rankings. Comments under the blog are greatly appreciated, as are emails at gregorycrawfordspeaks@gmail.com , please keep them respectful.

Also for more basketball, please go to www.csnnw.com/blog/crawfords-court. Thank you.

9. Pierce (13-5) (6-2)---The Raiders get back in the top nine after climbing to 2nd in the west region with a 6-2 record. They sit one game behind Highline, who they play on the road tonight.

8. Portland (14-7) (5-2)---PCC rejoins Craw's nine after handing Chemeketa their first league loss 99-89 on the road and then winning at home against SWOCC. PCC is one of three teams tied for first in the south region.

7. Treasure Valley----TVCC drops to 7 after their first league loss to Wenatchee Valley 84-62. They remain tied for 1st in the east with 1 game to go in first round play.

6. Columbia Basin (12-6) (5-1) ----The Hawks make their initial appearance in Craw's power rankings at number 6, after winning 10 of their last 12. The have won 5 in row including big wins over Big Bend and Spokane last week.

5. Southwestern Oregon (16-5) (5-2)---After picking up a home win against Lane, the Lakers travelled to Portland and fell to the Panthers 90-79. They finished the first round 5-2, in a three way tie in the south.

4. Big Bend (15-5) (4-2)----After suffering a 2 point loss 80-78 to Columbia Basin, BBCC got a win against Walla Walla to remain 4-2 in the east. Tonight is big match-up against Spokane, on the road.

3. Whatcom (13-4) (6-1)----Biggest move ever in Craw's NWAACC Power Rankings. Wins over Everett and Shoreline, plus teams in the power rankings losing help propel the Orcas to go from 9th to 3rd.

2. Skagit Valley (13-6) (7-0)---The Cardinals continue to move up after completing their first round sweep, by winning against Bellevue and Olympic last week. Big home test against Edmonds on Saturday.

1. Clark (16-1) (8-0)----Clark took advantage of the home court and beat up on Highline 94-77. The Penguins complete the first round of league play, perfect, at 8-0 and are more than a deserving of NUMBER ONE.

Here are some key games for this Saturday that will impact tournament seeding.

Mt. Hood at SWOCC
Clackamas at Lane
Walla Walla at Treasure Valley
Edmonds at Skagit Valley

Big Time Game of Week

Big Bend at Spokane

First meeting between these rivals, that have finished 1 or 2 in the east the last three years.

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Craw's NWAACC Power Rankings (1/22/2014

By Greg Crawford, CSNNW.com basketball insider and big fan of "small college" basketball. Please follow on twitter @wchoops and @crawssportsbiz

9. Whatcom (11-4) (4-1)---Remain ninth after a solid week including wins over Olympic and Bellevue. Bellevue has been on fire as of late, but the Orcas found a way to grind out a 63-61 win. Whatcom hosts Everett and Shoreline this week.

8. Spokane (13-5) (3-1)---Lost an overtime thriller to Treasure Valley this past week, but bounced back with a win the next night at Blue Mountain. This week have Walla Walla at home and a big road test at Columbia Basin, a team that is knocking on the door of being in the power rankings after going 8-2 in their last 10 games.

7. Chemeketa (9-8) (5-0)---The Storm jump into Craw's nine after a win over SWOCC that put them alone atop the Southern Region standings at a perfect 5-0. The have been leading the NWAACC in ppg. and have turned that production into a great winning streak.

6. Treasure Valley (11-5) (4-0)---A big win over Spokane this last week  has the Chuckars back in Craw's Nine. They sit at the top of the Eastern Region at 4-0 and look to stay there if they can get the job done on the road this week.

5. Southwest Oregon (15-4) (4-1)---Drops to number five after a tough loss at Chemeketa in a battle of the last two unbeaten teams in the Southern Region. They will attempt to stay near the top this week hosting Lane and traveling to Portland, two teams fighting for position in the Southern.

4. Big Bend (14-4) (3-1)---On the longest road trip of the year, the Vikes split with a win at Blue Mountain and a loss to Treasure Valley, 82-78. Games against Columbia Basin at home and Walla Walla on the road will be vital for Big Bend to stay in the elite of the power rankings.

3. Skagit Valley (11-6 (5-0)---The Cardinals continue their assent with a perfect league record after wins over Shoreline and Everett. They look to remain hot this week against Olympic and Bellevue.

2. Highline (14-3) (5-1)---After losses by the 2,3,4 and 5 teams in Craw's NWAACC power rankings, Highline jumps to number two. The Thunderbirds beat up on South Puget Sound 88-55 to set up a marquee match-up at #1 Clark on Saturday. They will enjoy a bye  today, as they prepare for their critical road test.

1. Clark (14-1) (6-0)---Still perfect in league play. Spickerman continues his stellar play with 26 points, 15 rebounds and six blocked shots against Grays Harbor. The Penguins travel to South Puget Sound today, then return home Saturday to meet Highline in what should be an NWAACC special game.

Key Match-Ups----Saturday is the big one in the NWAACC, does not get any better than Craw's NWAACC's Nine, with 1 and 2 going head to head, so Highline at Clark on Saturday is this week's headliner.

Greg Crawford is the college basketball, golf and sports business insider for the CSNNW.com and Comcast SportsNet. He also for the third year in a row is the a regular panelist on Talkin' Ducks basketball on Comcast SportsNet and he can be read at www.csnnw.com/blog/crawfords-court

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Cascade Collegiate Conference Is Big Time Basketball

By Greg Crawford, basketball insider @wchoops @crawssportsbiz

When you take the leagues and the teams I have seen this year on the men's side in college basketball on all levels, it adds up to 24 leagues. These levels include, D-1, D-2, D-3, NAIA, community and junior colleges and NCCAA (National Collegiate Christian Athletic Association).

And to be candid, there is no better competitive league than the Cascade Collegiate Conference, which has teams in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. It has wonderful coaches and really competitive student/athletes. The league also has a great leader in Robert Cashell.

As for the basketball, the leader as of today on the men's side is College of Idaho. They are coached by Scott Garson in his first year and Garson has a terrific team, really athletic and so much fun to watch. But every team in the CCC is fun to watch and I have seen them all.

Halfway through the season, it is going to be an unreal race for the league title and playoff seeding, something that has not been seen in the CCC for many years. At 7-2, C of Idaho not only is leading the league, but has the talent to win the league. But they are being chased really hard by three 6-3 teams, Concordia, Warner Pacific and Southern Oregon. Warner Pacific travels to Concordia on Saturday night, an inner city battle and the Knights will face a Cavalier team that has won seven in a row and more than likely that will be eight in a row, as they play Portland Bible on Tuesday night in a non-league game, in which they will be heavy favorites.

Of course this great race comes on the heels of Oregon Tech's iconic coach Danny Miles sitting on 998 victories in his quest to reach 1,000. The Owls play at home this week against College of Idaho and Eastern Oregon, the Klamath Falls faithful deserve to see Danny get his 1,000th at home, he just might , even though every CCC game is a test for both teams each night.

And if you doubt anything I say above, I challenge you to attend a CCC game soon. as most teams play every Friday and Saturday night. Here are the teams that make up the CCC----Corban, Northwest, Northwest Christian, College of Idaho, Eastern Oregon, Warner Pacific, Southern Oregon, Evergreen State and Oregon Tech. They all have nice websites, with their schedules as does the league website at www.cascadeconference.org

Greg Crawford is the college basketball insider for CSNNW.com where he covers D-1 college basketball and can be read at www.csnnw.com/blog/crawfords-court.

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Multnomah Lions Have Big Week, Then Face Big Week

By Greg Crawford, College Basketball Insider -------twitter @wchoops and @crawssportsbiz

The tough challenges the Multnomah Lions basketball team continued this past week, as the Lions faced their inner-city foe Portland Bible and also met the number 3 and 4 teams in the country, Grace Bible and West Coast Bible.

And the results were very good. A 2-1 record in the three games played, with the loss coming to Grace Bible by nine points.

"Overall I am pleased with the results. The schedule this year has been challenging, but it has helped as each day I can see the improvement in our team. We are growing up rapidly, " said head coach Curt Bickley.

The rapid growth was evident when the Lions took on West Coast Baptist in a Wednesday afternoon matinee game. The powerful West Coast Baptist team, rarely took the lead at any point in the game, as the final score of 110-101 was indicative of the strong play from the Lions.

Now it does not get any easier, as  Multnomah heads out on a three game road trip in which they will play Walla Walla twice and a game against Lewis Clark State in between. The next home game for the Lions will be on January 31st, when they host Walla Walla in a 2:00 pm start.

With the regular season about to end in just a little over a month, how does Bickley see the future. "It is important to win these games and keep getting better. We challenged ourselves in November and December with the toughest schedule we have ever had at Multnomah, now it is time for that to show up in the victory column. We also need to practice hard, something that we constantly work on. Players that do not practice hard, will not see a lot playing time, it is as simple as that."

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

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Craw's NWAACC Power Rankings (1/15/2013)

Here we go with week 3 of Craw's NWAACC Power Rankings, always fun to do and feel free to tell me where I went wrong or better yet, right, but be respectful please, as I would be to you.

By Greg Crawford, college basketball insider for CSNNW.com and on twitter @wchoops and @crawssportsbiz, please follow.

9. Whatcom (9-4)---Whatcom drops to number nine this week after a tough loss to Skagit Valley. This week they travel to Olympic and a surprising Bellevue team that is 3-0 in league play.

8. Portland (12-5)---A new team to Craw's NWAACC power rankings, after starting 3-0 in southern division play. In the win over Clackamas last week, Carl Appleton had a huge game with 18 rebounds.

7. Skagit Valley (9-6)---Entering this week's play, the Cardinals have now won four in a row and are getting outstanding play from Victor Payne, who has helped lead his team to seven victories in the last eight games.

6. Highline (13-3)----Highline climbs back up to the sixth spot in Craw's NWAACC power rankings. This week after beating Centralia, they finish up with South Puget Sound. Playing really good ball, could move up even more in the rankings.

5. Spokane (12-4)---Spokane jumps to number five after two wins last week over Yakima Valley and Wenatchee Valley. Long trip south this weekend to face Treasure Valley and Blue Mountain.

4. Pierce (11-4)---Despite a loss in one of our two games of the week, last week, the Raiders remain number four with a 2-1 record last week. Losing to Clark, but defeating South Puget Sound and Green River.

3. Big Bend (13-3)---No change in the third spot, with wins over Wenatchee and Yakima Valley last week. Big road test this week, traveling to Blue Mountain and Treasure Valley.

2. Southwest Oregon----SWOCC remains at number two, after a convincing home win over Clackamas, 85-68. The fast paced offense, led by D. J. Anderson, who has his team off to a quick 3-0 start in southern division play.

1. Clark (12-1)----There is no other choice to lead the rankings at this time, as Clark is the best team in the NWAACC at present. This week they host Grays Harbor and Centralia, which should move their record up to 14-1 come Saturday night.

GAMES OF THE WEEK:

Saturday, January 18th----SWOCC goes to Chemeketa, in what should be a track meet and so much fin to watch, with both teams having high powered offenses.

Saturday, January 18th---Big Bend at Treasure Valley, in a huge road test for Big Bend. Treasure Valley has played some great ball this season, they will be ready for this one, as will Big Bend.

Greg Crawford, email gregorycrawfordspeaks@gmail.com and to read more of Greg Crawford, on CSNNW.com, www.csnnw.com/blog/crawfords-court

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Multnomah Lions Face Big Weekend Of Games

By Greg Crawford, basketball insider, @wchoops and @crawssportsbiz

Coach Curt Bickley and his Multnomah Lions face a big two games this weekend, but the great part is they are both at home. Game times for both games will be 7:00.

Coming in on Friday night is Grace Bible, who has won four out of the last five national championships. Not bad and a big test for the Lions.

On Saturday night, Multnomah will play their up the street rival, Portland Bible, which is always a great match-up for both teams.

"For our program to be successful, we have to bring in some of the best non-league competition and that is exactly what we have done by playing Grace Bible," said Bickley. "Then to come back and play a strong Portland Bible team the next night, we have our work cut out for us. At the same time it is fun, exciting and our guys are really looking forward to these two games."

Multnomah University is located at 8435 NE Glisan in the heart of Portland and a great place to watch basketball, as well as one of the most exciting teams in all of college basketball. Parking is always free and basketball fans get an extra bonus on Saturday, as prior to the Lions's game, West Coast Baptist will play the Lions opponent from Friday night, in a 5:00 p.m. contest.

Greg Crawford is the college basketball insider for CSNNW.com and also a regular panelist on Talkin' Ducks basketball on Comcast SportsNet. www.csnnw.com/blog/crawfords-court

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Craw's NWAACC Power Rankings (1/07/2014)

By Greg Crawford, college basketball insider for CSNNW.com @wchoops and @crawssportsbiz

It is time for week two on Craw's NWAACC power rankings, with a some changes and also a new addition to the blog this week. Please keep in mind, even though I take this seriously, sports is fun, not a matter of life or death, unlike one of my jobs in working in the cancer unit of a major Portland, Oregon hospital, which often is life or death. Thanks for reading and happy new year.

9. Everett (10-5)---The Trojans join the top nine, after winning six in a row, including the Clackamas Holiday Tournament. Tournament MVP Dominque McClendon recorded 26 points and 6 rebounds in the league opener, in a 111-88 win over Shoreline.

8. Highline (10-3)---The Thunderbirds have had a solid start including wins against Big Bend and Whatcom. Started league play with a loss to Pierce and bounced back with a big win over Lower Columbia. Good road tests this week at Tacoma and Grays Harbor.

7. Spokane (10-4)---Kwinn Hanson leads the attack with big numbers, 22.6 ppg., 7.2 rebounds and shooting 70 percent from the field. He is backed up by Chase Haack with 18.9 ppg and 5.9 rebounds, a potent two.

6. Whatcom (8-3)---The Orcas started league play with 99-76 win, led by Kyle Impero's 40 points and 9 rebounds. Whatcom has five players averaging double figure scoring. Must play better to stay in top 9. Two wins early on over Pierce are impressive.

5. Mt. Hood (11-3)---The Saints have lost two in a row, too top tier teams, including the league opener to SW Oregon by one point. Mac Johnson's numbers from his post position are outstanding, 18.9 ppg, 10.2 rebounds per game and shooting 69 percent from the field. 

4. Pierce (9-3)---The Raiders started league play 2-0. Devin Mathews with 21 points and 15 assists against three turnovers in those two games. Mathews assist numbers at 7.3 per game is second highest in the NWAACC and is has helped the Raiders scoring average of 87.3 ppg.

3. Big Bend (11-3)---Led by star player Brendan Westendorf, who has video game numbers at 31 ppg, 8.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.6 steals, it is pretty easy to see why the Viks start league play at 11-3.

2. SW Oregon (12-3)---Big time NWAACC league opening win over powerful Mt. Hood on the road. Point guard D.J. Anderson led the Lakers in that game with 22 points, 5 assists and 5 rebounds, but most important the game winning free throw.

1. Clark (9-1)---Remains on top of Craw's NWAACC power rankings and there is no disputing they should. Went through non-league play 8-1 and won their league opener over Green River. The Penguins have now won seven in a row, playing the best basketball in the NWAACC at present.

New feature today, this week's NWAACC games of the week, picked by a panel of experts, which now number 21 people, minus 20.

1/8---Columbia Basin goes to Treasure Valley. Two teams just outside of the Craw's Top Nine, this should be a great match-up. The winner of this game could easily jump into next week's top nine.

1/11---Number one in Craw's Top Nine Clark goes to number four Pierce. Not much more you can say, heavyweight NWAACC match-up, good chance for Pierce to make a big statement.

Greg Crawford is the college basketball, golf and sports business insider for CSNNW.com and can be read each week at www.csnnw.com/blog/crawfords-court , the most powerful sports network in the Pacific Northwest.


Thursday, January 2, 2014

Multnomah Lions Power To Opening League Win

By Greg Crawford, basketball insider @wchoops and @crawssportsbiz

One of the most exciting college basketball teams to watch in the country is off to a good start in league play, after the Multnomah Lions won their league opener in the Pacific Athletic Association Conference, defeating on the road St Katherine College, 141-131.

In typical fashion the Lions came out firing, using their vaunted 3-point game and pressure defense, but still trailed at the half 64-63. But a huge second point surge of 78 points propelled the Lions to the win.

Steve Sansone had a hot night for the Lions, scoring 32 points of which he was 7-14 behind the arc.

"I have liked this team all year long," said head Coach Curt Bickley. "We learned so much from a tough October, November and December playing quality opponents and I can see constant improvement each day. As we head to more league games in January and February, we just need to keep playing our game and keep playing hard on every possession."

The Lions will continue their four game road trip to California on Friday night against their arch rival, West Coast Baptist.

The next home game for Multnomah will be on Janaury 10th, when national power Grace Bible comes to town for a 7:00 p.m. tipoff.

Greg Crawford is the college basketball insider for CSNNW.com and you can read his columns at www.csnnw.com