Stoney,Nut,Geezer,etc I have a question

Why don't Pilot Fans think the Pilots are the odds on favorite to contend for the WCC title. I'm just curious why UP has this self-effacing act when it comes to the team to the North. Down here some of the best Basketball games of the year are ASU-Arizona games. ASU was always very competive at least in the two games played long before James Harden was born to current day play.Believe me the Zags could not even carry the Arizona Wildcats jockstrap over their last 25 yr run with Lute and others lately.(I don't care what u say Stonehouse, AZ plays in Pac 10 not WCC {TEE HEE,} conference. Not to mention the NCAA title) there's no debate who's consistently a better team over the last 25 years. Not to mention how much talent the Wildcats have developed into top-flight pros Morrison--Richard Jefferson,Pargo--Mike Bibby, Crybaby Daye--4 or 5 wildcat forwards Frenche le fewGS Warriors.....Sean Elliot and on and on....... , Stockton played on weeeeaak ncaa teams so long ago the guy's as old as me so end of that debate Unless one wants to bring up George Mikan it's only a few decades earlier... Steve Kerr 6 NBA Championship rings ,Stockton ZERO and that's what the NBA's about rings just ask Charles Barkley...... got another hr while I look at the Wildcat BB Alumni, heh .. However back to my original point , in AZ. the Sun Devils of ASU approach every year not in fear but in confidence what they will do during their BB season. Believe me it doesn't always pan out,lol.

It seems like there's this losing attidude of the fans,student body that the Pilots will not ever compete at a high level in D-1 BB.THIS, IN MY OPINION WILL CAUSE REV TO LEAVE THE PILOTS IN THE FUTURE, NOT STANFORD,NOT $$$, Do you think he really wants to uproot his two small children when their in grade school in the near future??? I wonder what Avina thought of his support is another challenge I have to current Pilot fans.



Maybe it's a Catholic thing but I know for a fact when the PILOT'S play UCLA, at the Kennel or in Moraga, or anywhere outside Chiles they will not be carrying all that guilt,shame, etc from the past. JM Experience from talking with current Pilot players. I like the looks of this team sometimes its the chemistry and experience.TJ and Nik all the way"""


Your Turn....Just a diatribe during a slow fall waiting for college BB to start don't take it personal or in a bad light, were all pilotsfans some of us just post louder and yell louder at the ref's then others


MesaPilot1 [b

So ASU always approaches the season with (over)confidence? How's that working out for them?

I don't know where Pilot fans were surveyed about the season prospects. I'm sure that most of us are excited about the opportunities that are available. But I am not prepared to declare "odds-on favorite" status until I see some results on the court.

Meantime, while everyone else goes bonkers about WSOC, at least you and I are thinking about the MBB season to come, Mesa. Love the enthusiasm!

up7587 wrote:So ASU always approaches the season with (over)confidence? How's that working out for them?

I don't know where Pilot fans were surveyed about the season prospects. I'm sure that most of us are excited about the opportunities that are available. But I am not prepared to declare "odds-on favorite" status until I see some results on the court.

Meantime, while everyone else goes bonkers about WSOC, at least you and I are thinking about the MBB season to come, Mesa. Love the enthusiasm!

when Dean Smith was congratulated about an NCAA Championship, he just said UNC was a women's soccer school and he was just trying to keep up.

I don't think anybody was cheering more than Rev on Friday night. From his Tweet:

Great night last night at womens soccer. Team looked really good and student section was rocking! Love to see the school spirit... 6:27 AM Aug 29th

You guys are really comfortable as being know as a Women's Soccer school. I wonder what Jack Avina would think of you guys now. Or for that matter Nik's dad or some of the other players from the better teams produced by Portland. For risk of being slapped by my 17 yr daughter, your not serious are you? Give me a break a Lacrosse player gone soft????

Geez you didn't think you were gonna get off that easy when thinking that one of the smallest,toughest, most competive's centers to play on Stanford teams wants his community to equate UP athletics with womens sports? That's insane what kinda job security is that. Well I guess you are a little north of Mendicito in CALI

Do you guys wear pink ribbons in your hair to the soccer match's?

Cross-Country Rules, and besides that NASCAR is far more popular sport in America if you want to go that route will set up a little track on the perimeter of the bluff.(Just thought I'd throw that sentence in there to throw you off,lol)

Oh UP7587 someday you'll have to take me fishin' in Oregon.

Congrats to the Women Pilot's on their excellent start to the season , I just hope some Pilot fans are not too overconfident. All the games have been regionally,and I have a feeling there will quite a few teams gunnin' for UP kinda like teams gun for Gonzaga in WCC Play and occ (Memphis,teehee).

Don't ever compare Dean Smith to a more than average coach. Who would want to quote him. The guy with Jordans , Worthy's, Perkins, way on back through previous decades. He didn't coach , he threw the ball into the middle of the floor at practice, and went back to his office to have a cigarette.

It is an insult to even compare him to Roy William's,Coach K. etc ed nauseum.......I have been following college bb for 37 yrs in person and you are the first person I have ever enteracted with who was that out of touch with what his "true" legacy is. Don't start pulling up internet articles I'm talking to people who knew , dealt with him . Not some Oregonian newspaper article or some obscure blogger geez wants to find. Stick to Lacrosse and Womens soccer on that "cutesey" little Dean Smith quote.














Rev at least works for his salary at UP, mark my words if the only support he gets from winning is 2500-3000 fans in the arena and Larry Williams giving him raises he will move on in the next 5 yrs. California to suceed Monty, Oregon, hmmm, Stanford when and should they fire Dawkins for being the poor coach he's been so far, (the guy had a heck of a game at Duke though).


Portland fans it's time to start supporting the Men's and Women's BB team. There are sports at the University after the Womens NCAA's and Men's XC's titles are decided in the fall.


Black Bart aka Mesa

PS -btw when did Mesa ever,ever,ever,ever ever say fans should not support fall sports including Womens Soccer? I don't particularlly care for soccer(to slow--moving watch NCAA Men and Women's Hockey now that's a game) yet I'm in total support of Womens's sports, Title 9 when it passed, I was a regionally recognized XC runner in the late 70's in the Midwest ( so I guess that goes without saying my interest in Rob's teams).

up7587 wrote:So ASU always approaches the season with (over)confidence? How's that working out for them?

I don't know where Pilot fans were surveyed about the season prospects. I'm sure that most of us are excited about the opportunities that are available. But I am not prepared to declare "odds-on favorite" status until I see some results on the court.

Meantime, while everyone else goes bonkers about WSOC, at least you and I are thinking about the MBB season to come, Mesa. Love the enthusiasm!

2 NCAA appearences in last 10 years, Eddie House world champion Celtics, James Harden Lottery pick, i guess with their limited tallent pool in the past pretty darn good . I can tell you this head to head theyve challenged and beat far more top twenty teams through the years then even the Sainted GOOgleZags who play (or should I say have the unfortunate disadvantage) in the painty waisted , WCC conference not a real conference like the Pac Ten. I guess its working real good when you compare their revenue's to the Portland Pilots. The bb team gross's more than every Pilot Sports team PUT TOGETHER.

What do you for bait with in thhe NW or do you just fly fish. I luv your enthusiasm outside of you , geez, the mods, some people on this board are afraid to say one wrong word lest they not be invited to their mothers house for Sunday dinner. I guess I am going to have to Mark Aquirre(remember him Depaul and Dallas long befor Stonehouse was out of Diapers, lol...what a stud he was,) I mean accuire (sp) an alterego for thes season when the bandwagoners start posting again if and when the Pilot's start attracting regional attentiion in BB.


Purple with a tinge of black till I die


Black Bart aka Mesa

So -Black Bart.

I was at the tournament last year. I didn't see you there (although you saw me). Wasn't your excuse that you had to wash your hair or something?

It's easy to support a team when they have a chance of winning, but having watched 10 years of one-and-done, I refuse to get lectured by a guy who three years ago thought Portland was about fog horns and lobster pot wars.

Right now I'm on the bandwagon supporting a Great team on a quest for a third National Championship. It's fun.

When the bball season starts, I'll support whatever team REV puts on the floor.


And find out what brand of cigarrettes Dean smokes. I want to get REV a carton.
I hope it's a good team.

Actually I was tending to a elderly relative if truth be know, ask Nut, but that's beside the point. I sent my 77 yr old mother, 75 yr old father, sister, niece,her friend,nephew his friend, Kramers mom, his dad, and a few other's to support the Pilots.

It is kinda hittin low considering the $$$ I ate and the altruistic reasons why I wasn't there. But I'll let you have a pass on that since only stoney , and nut knew why I was not there.

I wasn't at the Pacific Tourney game either but nobody in Kramer's extended family saw you there or I could have gifted you the $$$ I spent on the ticket and other expenses I ate.

I just cant wait until the soccer team has a match down here in AZ and you fly in for that or a Cross-Country team or maybe that 135 dollars a month I get to pay to watch Pilot games. I'm a common non supporter of the Pilot Athletic programs.I make sure to run the other way when I'm at the Chiles and see Nicole or someone else from the Athletic Dept.

Why don't you put your big hot money and support behind the board and donate to it???? YOU SURE USE IT ENOUGH!!! I'm sure Nut,Sci FI, Rob's Jacket could arrange a matching donation to mine just run it by Nut what I gave a month last year


I still likeyou you old cus, cant wait to see you in Feb


Your Buddy, Brand new to the Pilot's BASKETBALL team Bart

I think that people are just being objective when they say we aren't the odds on favorite, Mesa. I think we're clearly one of the top 2-3 teams in the conference, and we have an advantage experience wise. But, Gonzaga just reloads, and we aren't there yet. Our pointguard has more regular season experience, for example, but, theirs has hit a game-winning shot in the NCAA tourney against a team that beat Louisville last year.

I love the team and I believe in our team and at the same time I won't drink the Kool-Aid...especially with how much tougher our schedule is this season. We have to prove it all over again.

Thanks for the nice response. I have never been involved in any athletic team where it matters how long your a season-ticket holder or one of the good ol boy club to PROVE that your a true fan.

Finally a voice in the wilderness of Seattle , a voice of reason and sanity. I was just trying to make a few pts but you know me Navigator(Wev'e since patched it up,I'd luv to hear more from him) and a few other guys last yr (WRV) blew gaskets on me too. I know you received that kinda treatment sometimes from afformentioned. It must have just hit the old Geez in a raw nerve, I do recall him having to backtrack on a few conclusions and appoligize for misunderstanding what was being written last year to another Heckraiser like me.

At least we have guys as imformed as Geez to keep us up to date on the Total Scene even if he doesn't always get his nap in every day at the retirement village.Plus alot of these guys are so new to computers that they think their expert's like my dear ol 75 yr dad or their affraid and hang around the edges of the site when I know I would value their opinion or comments. Heck, Stoney post's alot and I'm still not sure if he has a puter, or has ever owned one. Gosh I luv ol Stoney,now thats one old "soul" in that young man.

Thanks for answering my question, that's all I really wanted, I glad I did not have to get my secret decoder ring from you James to get an answweerr. I know your a Huge UP Womens soccer fan so thank you for taking time out of your busy, rooting day or should I say last nite rooting day to pip in. I figure ur about right onwith the prediction.


I guess a newbee Portland Pilot BB Fan wont be asking anymore challenging ???'s




MesaPilot1

Geezaldinho wrote:So -Black Bart.

I was at the tournament last year. I didn't see you there (although you saw me). Wasn't your excuse that you had to wash your hair or something?

It's easy to support a team when they have a chance of winning, but having watched 10 years of one-and-done, I refuse to getlectured by a guy who three years ago thought Portland was aboutfog horns and lobster pot wars.

Right now I'm on the bandwagon supporting a Great team on a quest for a third National Championship. It's fun.

When the bball season starts, I'll support whatever team REV puts on the floor.


And find out what brand of cigarrettes Dean smokes. I want to get REV a carton. I think you have had enough cigs Geez, and Rev doesnt need any from Mendincito in CALI , Rick Pitino's got the current scandal in college bb. Rick Pitino the Bill Clinton of College Basketball "I did not have sex in that restraunt after closing " "Define sex, no it wasn't sex, it's all the media's fault!"
I hope it's a good team.

Your good with those retorts, keep un comming during the lazy days of summer, bart.

MesaPilot1 wrote:Why don't Pilot Fans think the Pilots are the odds on favorite to contend for the WCC title.

I think most people here agree that we should be the team challenging GU for the league title this year... period.

mesapilot1 wrote:It seems like there's this losing attidude of the fans,student body that the Pilots will not ever compete at a high level in D-1 BB.THIS, IN MY OPINION WILL CAUSE REV TO LEAVE THE PILOTS IN THE FUTURE, NOT STANFORD,NOT $$$

Mesa, I think there is a long engrained "ignorance" to the men's hoops team due to the decades of poor performance... and we have had a couple supposed "big years, next year" where we fell flat on our faces... so most fans outside of the current season ticket holders dont truely yet understand/know the quality product that will be on the floor next year, and have heard this song before (but granted, previously the anticipationn wasn't as deserved as this year). It frustrates me to no end, but I understand how we got here.

The Athletic Dept. has been doing some good marketing recently, including those Wally Pilot postcards to get the word out about everyone we have coming back... there is a lot going on in the background. But in reality, it is just going to take some consistent winning on the court--particularly some big games outside of Chiles Center (aka 76 Classic)--for the fire to catch on. You can't flip the switch overnight with those who have not been paying attention recently... but there is a buzz around campus this season, and I am confident that the swarm of support is coming... we are just going to have to win some more games first. The proof is in the pudding.

Thanks for the feed back Pilotnut, another voice of moderation.

I'm still waiting for Geez's donation, that's one thing I will not retreat about.


I guess I've just been fortunate to be associated with winning athletic programs, not apathetic fans, you make total logic with your statement.

I'll still support the BB team if their 9-22 this year. I don't have to have my team's win national championships to support them.

Mesa, first off, i agree that Pilot Basketball does not get the respect it deserves from a lot of the Pilot community. However, I've learned that there are many Pilot faithful out there that are extremely committed and overly confident year after year.

That being said, i found a couple of your statements a bit harsh, but maybe thats what you were going for. First of all, the comments about women's soccer was interesting to me. As a student, i only started following the pilots about 4 years ago, and i had a similar thought about women's soccer. But then i came to Merlo, and my perception changed. These women work their butts off, playing year round, playing for the US national teams, and they are unbelievably good. And most of the Pilot community are extermely proud of them, as well as excited about the possibilities for the year.

As for the basketball team, there are a ton of people jumping on the bandwagon. I think you're asking why aren't people as "over-confident" about the basketball team as they are about the women's soccer team. Its because of the culture of the basketball program. We don't have that culture here. Its the same reason why a lot of years Duke is over-rated, and mid-majors have trouble getting high seeds. We are just not use to it. I have no idea when the last time we thought we could contend for a conference title was. Its unfair to compare our program or situation to a big state school in a power conference. I think that fans are confidant. More confidant then i have ever seen them. So lets just wait for the season to start before we start calling people out and pointing fingers at each other.


As for the students, its a difficult transition for some students. a lot of them grow up as UO or OSU fans so when they come here, its new to them to cheer for a new team. every year when we play gonzaga red shirts pop up in the student section, gladly i'd like to say that its fewer and fewer each year. BUt its hard to swing them to the pilots side. Its a work in progress Mesa. we're not going to build a solid fan base overnight, and thats what I personally have been working on the past few years. And each year it gets a little easier to get people to "drink the kool-aid" if you will. One day i hope ESPN will feature our fans for dedication and routiness during the basketball season as they have during the soccer season, but that may take a while.

remember we are all Pilot fans and we all want to see one thing. Thats for all of our teams to have success, we want to be proud of all of our athletic programs.

Sorry PP13 if you think I'm harsh, just not a big women's soccer fan. Have you ever seen a Womens NCAA Hockey game I think you might be impressed a little more by their athletism, skill than running around on a field kicking and settin a ball, try that at about 5X the speed and on Ice with skates on and other women checking you.

I don't have a problem in the soccer program, just not interested. In my generation the soccer team was for the guys who were not talented enough to make the football,basketball, or track teams. They choose either soccer or golf or tennis,lacrosse(could'nt resist geez sorry). Because they couldn't hang with the studs and they were usually "cut" in the major sports,heck they couldn't even hang with the cross country guys. Heck, back in my day we didn't all get trophys for getting last place in our youth soccer,swim, or basketball league like has been destroying youth sports teams over the last couple of decades. I'm sure the women pilots are exciting just not at all to me. Thats why in all my posts I don't venture over to new David Bechum sport I stick with major sports. I guess you could call me a traditionalist. But I guarantee you both Nik and TJ could do quite well at soccer if the had choosen that sport. I highly doubt the best basketball playing soccer player in the NW could make the Pilot's current Basketball team. As much as you might disagree soccer is not a major sport in the USA. Football,Basketball, Hockey and Baseball are. The soccer moms have had their chance to change that over the last 20 plus years so i don't anticipate it happening in the near future in Men's Athletic's. Just some facts to think about, not harsh statements. I think PilotNut,geez ,James , and UP realize I say some of my statements "tongue in cheek" and they enjoy a crabby ol basketball tradionalist who doesnt appologize for the BB teams recent and hopefully continued sucess.

Gdod luck this year on the sideline and I know you'll be a fine replalacemnt for Clay leading the student cheers


whats the fine for being on the soccer field ? Whats the fine for playin ball at the chiles center in pickup games, Zero dollars? Sounds like a little elitism to me???? That's probably why soccer will never be accepted by the American Public as well as the major sport's are. TOO stuffy!!!! Don't think I'm condoning every team in Portland to use the field as their practice field, that would be ridiculous


MesaPilot1...Off to the medicine cabinet UP,lol

Meh, I think I hold hockey in the same esteem you hold soccer Mesa, but it's hard to really get into a sport when there is really no pro team, and it's not like there is every really a place around here you can just go play outside...
Haha when I was in HS the soccer players always used to destroy the football game... haha and at their own version of football no less, and our football team was top 5 in state (alibeit the soccer team was #3 nationally, but whatever)

Anyway I think the reasons for the women's soccer team being followed so closely has a lot to do with their on field success (2 national championships at the smallest D-1 school to ever win a title, that will get you a few fans) and the fact that the program was built upon one of the more beloved coaches in college soccer (Think Coach K of soccer, and that is not an exaggeration). On top of that the WSoc program gets a LOT of support from the community not even associated with the University, and the city of Portland has bequeathed itself as "Soccer City USA" so it really isn't that much of a surprise that the women's team would get support (plus you gotta remember they have been fielding teams with literally some of the best players in the country, if not the world) Anyway back to basketball, because that was the original topic...

As has been stated the team, until recently has been in a state of complete disarray... Disastrous coaching decisions, questionable recruiting and academic issues have plagued the program ever since the last tourney appearance. On top of that for a long time there was a general complete lack of attention by the administration to the men's bball program, which literally let it fall apart. Honestly, living up in Tacoma I didn't even know UP existed until I started looking for colleges, I didn't know they had a basketball team, but I knew who Clive Charles was, I knew who Kasey Keller was and was shocked to find out they were associated with the school was applying for.

The administration has been doing a great job of showing a dedication to the men's bball program, I realizing what an opportunity such a high profile sport is (Just look at what success has done up at the School that Must Not be Named...) As soon as i got to the school i became a full fledged pilot fan, especially for basketball (after playing soccer for so long, I was burned out completely...). I was part of that group of 10 that for my first 3 years there were literally the only fans standing, followed by 6-7 empty rows and then sparse seating and polite Wimbeldon applause after that. The teams were just not good, we had great players (Pooh, Donald, Coky Rochin hee hee), but questionable coaching at best. It wasn't until my Sr. year when we decided to get proactive and form Purple Pride that we started getting people more interested in the games (that was a lot of grass roots effort... haha and a lot of beer...). It was great to see the players get fired up with our chants and actually have a little fun at the games, but again... the teams were just not having the on court success that draws in all the students, not to mention the community.

The program and players that you see now, Mesa, are a testament to both the new dedication to the program by the administration and the fantastic job/hard work by Rev and his staff. It's one thing to bring in the students, that can happen easily if a few people take a little initiative, (and, or beer, er I mena refreshments...) but wins are what bring in the surrounding city at large (albeit, Portland is a pretty heavily "alternative" city, which adds a bit of challenge to bringing in fans).

I love the fire, and the enthusiasm that yeah, the pilots can, and will win... I just hate to get a little cocky about it (Haha, but that's what we have you for right??). I mean last year was the first winning season in over a decade, conceptualizing yourself as the odds on favorite, haha it's kind of a new concept...


Aside:
And no I wouldn't dare compare Spokane's finest to that of Tuscon, but the Zags pretty much view Few and his roster as Jesus and the 12 apostles... Haha perhaps we a few more wins under our belts before we start getting delusions of grandeur like our friends up north. (And if you really want to get into arguing about rings like Steve Kerr and Pac 10 vs WCC, haha just don't get in a fight with any of the Don's fans... They have this guy called Russell, I think I heard his name once or twice)
I wo

Thanks for your response. I needed it.

But I don't think I'll be placing any bets on the Pilots to win the NCAA Championship let alone the WCC. I just think thought I would get in the do jo and warm up with a little Gracie JI Jit Zu , and ground and pound from Dan Gable (the greatest wrestler ever to walk the earth), on Geezer(For which I apologize ,but it was fun while he kept responding) in case Angelo or one of "them" wants to enter the site with some abuse for us should we be fortunate to beat them in the Chile's this year. I have to keep my skill's sharp during the off-season, I've already resigned the Kennel, UCLA games as losses along with many other "tough" road games St.Marys, possibly Santa Clara or LMU until the Men can show they can win outside the friendly confines of the Chiles Center.Athletic James is right though this out of conference season is tough and I could see is getting spanked by Oregon at the Chiles and just imagine what the Huskies would like to do this year to return the favor this year. 2nd round game in Thk classic in Anaheim would be a great win but highly doubtful.

I feel good about this team though what they lack in talent outside of Nic and TJ they make up for grit.

BTW when do become the moderator,CONGRAT'S, did u earn the title after your "road trip" to Stockton with Stonehouse and his USF friend,lol. That was one hard way to earn your "stripes". J/k Stoneys a heck of guy and a Sports trivia machine (especially WCC facts) He's just too nice and polite to straighten me out on some of my "wild" facts about the league that I've decided to share.



Over and out....MesaPilot1 aka ???

While i doubt that the Pilots will go undefeated, i think that wins at a "neutral" UCLA and at the kellel are not out of the question. This team has experience which, to me, is the extremely important when playing on the road. Basically i feel confident going into each game that we could pull it off. Very few teams make that a reality, so i'm aware that we probably won't go undefeated but i think that we have a shot in every game, which i don't think Pilot fans have been able to say for a very long time.

Yeah that's the spirit PP13!!! Where I come from they have this statement if you build the team Rev- they will come , (Well that's Cedar Rapids version of underdog team of dreams)

THey meaning the student body like the kids at other schools AS
U (AZ State U) who come for the experience of the "party atmosphere" and by that I don't mean everybody has to be a falling down drunken fool. I'm talking about a "good" time like u and Clay and the rest of you 40-70 young men and women seemed to be having when I've attended games.

But u have to remember I never heard of WCC BB, Bill Russell, Hank Gathers ,Bo Kimble, Steve Nash, Kurt Rambis, John Stockton etc.... according to some people I'd never been to Portland or the Chiles center before 3 yrs ago. Even though I did just happen to stop by in 2001 on my way with my Rhodesian Ridgeback as he competed in the 2001 National Championships in Kirkland ,WA. Stonehouse , and other trivia buffs know which outgoing Zag senior's hometown Mesa was at in 2001.

Keep up the great support of the Pilots,its always great to cheer an underdog than show up on the field for a "sure" thing and become jaded like some fans we know from the North.

Sorry for the delay in responding to this... today is my first day off in about three weeks and I just haven't had the energy to post anything.

To answer your original question, Mesa, I am not boldly predicting the Pilots to win the WCC right now because I haven't seen anybody beat the Zags in the past ten years. The early 2000's Pepperdine team with Alex Acker was the last one to beat the Zags for the WCC crown, and that Waves team was so good they went on to hand Bob Knight his final defeat at Indiana in the Big Dance. I'm no Zag fan by any means, but several times this past decade I have thought they were vulnerable heading into a season, and every time they have proven me wrong. To me, they are like the Atlanta Braves were from the 90s to the mid-2000s... until someone actually beats them, I will always pencil them in at the top spot.

Now, having said all that, do I feel good about UP's chances? You better believe it. Of course, I also felt really good about the Pilots heading into Pooh and Donald's senior year, and look how that turned out. But looking back on that now, the groundwork for a successful season is much more stable and set in place now than it ever was under Holton. Reveno has guys that fit his style, they are incredibly efficient running their offense, they can shoot, they can rebound... I don't know if the Pilots are going to win 25 games, but I can sure as heck guarnatee you that they are going to be a solid, successful, winning team.

But again, you have to remember history here... we're talking about a team that has had one winning season (last year) in 15 years. I'm thrilled to be on the good side of .500, let alone competing for a WCC title. But that doesn't mean I don't have high expectations for the team or am willing to settle for second-best. Of course I want to see the Pilots breaking all kinds of school records and playing in March. But I think Reveno has earned a bit of respect and breathing room... the guy has resurrected UP basketball and built a solid foundation on which (I believe) years of success can grow from. I expect UP basketball to never turn into a punchline again.

Anyway, I'm kind of rambling at this point, but I do see where you're coming from, Mesa. And of course I have private ambitions of beating UCLA and beating the Zags and pulling off an upset in the Big Dance (we totally have the right type of team to pull that off... great three point shooting, good point guard, good rebounding). But I'm also a believer in not getting mouthy until we prove it on the court, so until the final buzzer sounds and the Pilots have more points than the Zags, I'm not quite ready to start predicting that we'll be better than them.

I was a student on the Bluff in the early 80s and have been following the Pilots for 30 years. I think Stonehouse's post sums up my feelings perfectly.

Agreed. Well said, Stonehouse.

Oh, and we miss your posts...

Stonehouse wrote:Sorry for the delay in responding to this... today is my first day off in about three weeks and I just haven't had the energy to post anything.

To answer your original question, Mesa, I am not boldly predicting the Pilots to win the WCC right now because I haven't seen anybody beat the Zags in the past ten years. The early 2000's Pepperdine team with Alex Acker was the last one to beat the Zags for the WCC crown, and that Waves team was so good they went on to hand Bob Knight his final defeat at Indiana in the Big Dance. I'm no Zag fan by any means, but several times this past decade I have thought they were vulnerable heading into a season, and every time they have proven me wrong. To me, they are like the Atlanta Braves were from the 90s to the mid-2000s... until someone actually beats them, I will always pencil them in at the top spot.

Now, having said all that, do I feel good about UP's chances? You better believe it. Of course, I also felt really good about the Pilots heading into Pooh and Donald's senior year, and look how that turned out. But looking back on that now, the groundwork for a successful season is much more stable and set in place now than it ever was under Holton. Reveno has guys that fit his style, they are incredibly efficient running their offense, they can shoot, they can rebound... I don't know if the Pilots are going to win 25 games, but I can sure as heck guarnatee you that they are going to be a solid, successful, winning team.

But again, you have to remember history here... we're talking about a team that has had one winning season (last year) in 15 years. I'm thrilled to be on the good side of .500, let alone competing for a WCC title. But that doesn't mean I don't have high expectations for the team or am willing to settle for second-best. Of course I want to see the Pilots breaking all kinds of school records and playing in March. But I think Reveno has earned a bit of respect and breathing room... the guy has resurrected UP basketball and built a solid foundation on which (I believe) years of success can grow from. I expect UP basketball to never turn into a punchline again.

Anyway, I'm kind of rambling at this point, but I do see where you're coming from, Mesa. And of course I have private ambitions of beating UCLA and beating the Zags and pulling off an upset in the Big Dance (we totally have the right type of team to pull that off... great three point shooting, good point guard, good rebounding). But I'm also a believer in not getting mouthy until we prove it on the court, so until the final buzzer sounds and the Pilots have more points than the Zags, I'm not quite ready to start predicting that we'll be better than them.

This +1000. I'm glad we have someone like Stonehouse on this board to neatly sum up the feelings of everyone.

Sometimes winning is just as much about having a good system as having good players. GU has a proven system that works, and we are still developing ours. Plus, I just think the schedule is much tougher than last year. We need to go out and get the job done. GU has a returning pointguard that won a game-winning shot in the tourney, a promising young center (Sacre), and a solid veteran in Boldin. I just don't see them as a weak team next year. I don't see us as weak either, but, we have to deliver in some big games. We have a team where the sum of the parts is much better than the individual pieces in my opinion, and if we have any critical injuries it could cost us the season. This year the same could be said about Gonzaga. They've clearly lost some depth.

yeah but it aint fair. ye get to write for the pilot scribe during his underclass day's, i didn't. He gets to wait until I stick my neck out there with a few bold statements, then conveiniently "finds" a computer to write poetic prose for every Pilot male athletic fan fron 95' thru current day.

That's not playing on an even "SOCCER fIELD" (could'nt resist). Well RJ at least I know I have most of the old guys on my side. Because we expect results this season, But if it does not pan out I am not planning a protest in front of the Chiles center and Rev's office if he doesnt provide the next step this year. I think Larry Williams is doing just fine supervising him and doesnt need my help.

I'll leave with you this Quote when I met Stonehouse's FATHER this past winter "Ah, so I finally get to met the infamous Mesa". Oh how I luv old guys like Stoneys dad 62 plus. Like the famous old line "OLD GUYS RULE".
In about 20-30 yrs you guys will understand, or one could currently ask Geezer to explain life experience vrs opinion to you guys.
Ive got a little 6'8'' 320 lb newphew who just got his PHD from UT in Austin and teaches Chemistry at the University of Illinois but he still calls me "uncle mesa" , he still differs to me in conversation. I have Life experience's that he has not enjoyed yet and in 1980 was on the roll with the Iowa Hawkeyes as they made the final four with a coach you may have heard of,LUTE,LUTE,LUTE. I attended the games,etc, shared the experience, cried the tears , etc.... You know how old he was -1, I venture to guess that many of previous posters that are so against any more than tempered enthusiam such respectifully RJ were somewhere around -1 when I was attending those NCAA.s

So like my Dear old father told me when he retired at 55 yrs of age and we got in a spirited POLITICAL debate. "Son you ain't changing my mind , I've decided after 31 yrs on the work force as a Mgmt executive supervising over 2000 people and the ability to retire for the rest of my life that I am not taking anymore suggestion's or bright idea's from 26 yr old young men like yourself's"." I've made up my mind, I am now an "unofficial" Supreme Court Justice when it comes to taking Political sugestion's from you Mesa". From that day foward to this day 20 yrs later he has continued to be pretty acurate and I tend to hush up rather than jump up and protest some profetic statement or life experience he shares with me.... not saying all the dribble i post should be taken to heart with out a "AW , I don't think so Mesa...youve lost all your "bean's" now Mesa!!!"

Just a little life lesson that I must share with the 1000+, is that anything like the 1000 points of light....

Now if Stonehouse's Dad or Rob Jacket's dad or Uncle were to post about his feeling's on the current Pilots.......remember "Stoney's dad" was the father who was at the Chiles center when "Little Stoney" was the ballboy, the HS student,etc.... My wax might start draining from my ears.....and the blinders might come off of my eyes......the purple Koolaid might regurgitate out of my mouth.


You know I still like all you guys and nice to get a comment from Ekrauss,


One more from the soccer crew, 1000's more to go for Mesa,


Your fellow Pilot Supporter,


Mesa Pilot1 Aka WhiteBart


PS- Aww, the wax is starting to drain as that old man athletic James posts another point of reference to discuss. Thanks goodness I ate a solid meal with my purple Koolaide,lol. HEY WHERES MY CUSTOM PilotNation SCARF, how many more times do me and james have to ask the question , compadre's??? I've gotta a twenty burning a whole in my wallet.

Btw, when are we allowed to beat on our chest a little this year.

Is it OK if we beat the Huskies, do we have to wait for a Duck win, UCLA win???
A Butler/? WHICH COMBO CAN I CHEER , WHEN CAN I CRY???Tell me when its Ok to start beating my chest???

What if we suffer 7 preseason losses yet win the WCC can I start cheering then??? I just don't want to be too manaical of a Pilot BB fan . It's all in good fun guys,enjoy your day tomorrow!!! Life is sweet ,but remember it's one day at a time.


PilotNation Rules,


MesaPilot1