UP vs. GU.... The eve of battle...

I predict one thing....



SORROW...

That may be my favorite photo ever of that d-bag.

Would you believe that tomorrow's game will be only my second UP Basketball game?

Sigh... Yes I would for a lot of people...

But the atmosphere for the GU game is always a fever pitch, not a bad time to double your attendance total at all... And believe me, after following Pilots BBall for the last 8 years, this team is definitely worth getting excited for...

(No offense to my brother from another mother Pooh Jeter, but this TEAM is better than I've ever seen)

I take that back 3rd game... I am still shocked your boy Pooh hasn't gotten an opportunity to be a 3rd string NBA PG. I mean there are some bad NBA PG's.

Don't get me started.... He's in the top 10 in scoring in the ACB league (the #2 league in the world), and holding his own against the likes of JC Navarro, Ricky Rubio and others...




I think the only people you've MADE cry are the Bobcats for drafting you 3rd overall...

The best part...he was crying before the game was over!

mattywizz wrote:The best part...he was crying before the game was over!

EXACTLY. That's the thing. I mean... crying after the game? Fine by me.

But crying when you're only down by two and have a legitimate chance to tie/win???????? When you are the leader of the team and the one who should be taking the shot? That's the pathetic part.

Anyway... back to the game. The thing that scares me the most is Gonzaga's defense. They have been really, really good all year and held us to 50 points up in Spokane. Their length and athleticism make it really tough, especially for our outside shooters to get open looks. Running the offense to perfection and finding the open guy is going to be crucial. I think we did well defending them last game (held them to 67), though admittedly their shooting was off. So who knows... I think holding their offense down the whole game is going to be really, really tough so what we need to do is make sure we can score into the 70s.

It's a tall task, but I do feel like if they come out flat and we come out focused we can have a legitimate shot. If they come out firing on all cylinders... well, there aren't many teams in the country that can beat them if they come out like that. So we've just got to hope that we can come up with a game plan that will take them out of their comfort zone and that our hot shooting can stay with us for at least one more game!

Agreed... GU's length is quite daunting, Daye, heytvelt and others have freakishly long arms that definitely can cause problems on drives and close gaps quickly on jumpers. It will be interesting to see who they have mark up on Nik (remember back with Pooh they stuck Errol Knight on defense, who was their best defender, even though he was more of a 3 or 4) and how they will defend against Jered and TJ's range... The Pargo/TJ matchup is going to be very interesting to watch as well as how our bigs compare... I think Kramer and Robin's ability to play tough and really get under people's skin could also play a big role in this game in baiting their bigs into frustration fouls.

In games I've watched GU has a tendency to self destruct mentally, I think if the Pilots stick to their game and just flat out play hard they will have a GREAT shot at an upset

The only thing I can say about Morrison that he's such a bust that even a HOF coach like Larry Brown can't help him . To slow to defend anybody but a center, to weak to stop a center=short NBA career.

Good college player like J.J. Redick both of whom don't have the talent to play in the NBA. Maybe he should try Europe when he wash's out, they like shooters who are not Quick or Strong enough for the NBA.


MonsterPilot1


PS- one positive he's brought to my life is before him I enjoyed watching Batista and the underdog Gonzaga previously. After the UCLA game that all changed, nothing worse than a sore sport, crybaby,sissy, in NCAA Basketball. Come on grow up and act like a man, it's only a basketball game....not a death,divorce, or tragedy. His true moral fiber and integrity were revealed in a matter of minutes that fateful day.

Hey Pilot Fans, it is pretty exciting having a big game ahead isn't it.

You may find it hard to believe, but I think most Zag fans are happy for you and your team. It's all good.

It is great for us to have another big game, this time, in conference.

I just want to wish you guys a good game and best of luck for the remainder of the season. Keep it up.

If you look at the GU board, you guys get great respect and unless we bring our "A" game, it could be a tough night in your house.

Nothing more fun than looking forward to a big game.....except winning it.

Go Zags. Go Pilots.

HRZag wrote:Hey Pilot Fans, it is pretty exciting having a big game ahead isn't it.

You may find it hard to believe, but I think most Zag fans are happy for you and your team. It's all good.

It is great for us to have another big game, this time, in conference.

I just want to wish you guys a good game and best of luck for the remainder of the season. Keep it up.

If you look at the GU board, you guys get great respect and unless we bring our "A" game, it could be a tough night in your house.

Nothing more fun than looking forward to a big game.....except winning it.

Go Zags. Go Pilots.

Thanks for the nice note. We'll treat you as well in Portland as you treated us during our last visit to Spokane. I hope your players enjoy the bus ride home over the mountains...after a well contested defeat.

DaTruRochin wrote:Don't get me started.... He's in the top 10 in scoring in the ACB league (the #2 league in the world), and holding his own against the likes of JC Navarro, Ricky Rubio and others...




I think the only people you've MADE cry are the Bobcats for drafting you 3rd overall...

Yeah...Pooh and Juan Carlos Navarro both deserve to be in the NBA. But, is it really a dream to be a part of the league run by Mr. Stern where teams can be moved at will to the highest bidder's home state unless your team is named Boston or LA? Hopefully, Pooh is enjoying travelling Europe, and he'll come aboard when this Commissioner is gone...

HRZag wrote:Hey Pilot Fans, it is pretty exciting having a big game ahead isn't it.

You may find it hard to believe, but I think most Zag fans are happy for you and your team. It's all good.

It is great for us to have another big game, this time, in conference.

I just want to wish you guys a good game and best of luck for the remainder of the season. Keep it up.

If you look at the GU board, you guys get great respect and unless we bring our "A" game, it could be a tough night in your house.

Nothing more fun than looking forward to a big game.....except winning it.

Go Zags. Go Pilots.

Thanks. Night to get a note from the nice GU fans. Most of the posts I read on GUBoards are...um...not as eloquent as yours. I'm looking forward to a good game, any way you slice it.

I just autotuned my DirectTV to the game: 8 pm on ESPN2 tomorrow night.

...as did I.

Good luck to your team HRZag, I just hope for a highly contested, injury-free, game for both teams. Oh....I forgot , who's referee tomorrow I hope it isn't "Big Game" Libbey...... Please no,no,no. Oh well I'll still be watching.

Setting the DVR for game tomorrow also,could be one I want to watch again. I hope this will be a "classic" game for the ages athleticjames!!!


MonsterPilot1

You know, I was just thinking... (and please don't hate on this because I definitely don't mean to sound overconfident or jinx anything - believe me, I'll be happy if we keep it close)... if we do somehow pull off the upset or at least really make the Zags sweat it out, think about how many times the Portland Pilots will be mentioned on ESPN Game Day on Saturday, which will be hosted live in Spokane before GU's game against Memphis. Now THAT could be pretty darn cool.

We'll be shown on SportsCenter if we get the win since the game is on ESPN2 and GU is in the Top 20. Our guys just need to take care of business at home.