UP @ Northern Colorado - CIT Round 1 - 3/17 - 6:05 PST

Welp I was really hoping this thread would have an N instead of a C in the title, but I guess we'll all just have to curse the name Quinnipiac...

This is UNC's first ever post season berth, so we should have the edge experience wise. As far as scouting, they shoot almost 40% from 3, so perimeter play will be huge (and they attempted 770 this season, compared to our 600! And I thought WE shot a ton from the arc!) Both their leading scorers, Will Figures (Listed at 5-9 and a Sr., so he and TJ should have fun) and Devon Beitzel shoot over 40% from distance, but judging by FT attempts, Figures drives a fair amount as well. Defensively they forced 100 more TOs than their opposition, while keeping their season total under 400 (we are at 408). They don't have much experience in the post, but seem to have a fair amount of players they can rotate at the position, might be a good day for Robin to establish himself....

Overall, just on paper we seem to be to very similar teams strengths wise, both take care of the ball, shoot well from distance, however they rely on the 3 a bit more than we do. Should be a good matchup, especially if you like the rainmaker... But I definitely think our posts will have an edge...

Radio: 970 AM

Digital goods:

Video (It's through FCS, and they are charging $8 to watch, booooooo!)
UNC Audio
Live Stats

Just reserved my seat behind the Pilot bench. When does the team arrive? Gotta get used to the altitude, coming from sea level and all.

That is a good question... Haha maybe I'll do a little @CoachReveno action and see if he spills the goods... I'm so cutting edge...

And the stench of livestock. That could actually be worse than the lack of oxygen.

I guess Bon Appetit could do the mongolian grill in Chiles a few days early to try and assist with overpowering stench resistance...

DaTruRochin wrote:might be a good day for Robin to establish himself make layups ....

Fixed your post.

This game sounds a little bit like University of Idaho or Portland State (that part of our schedule this year). In other words, it could be a trap game if we don't play great perimeter defense. I think that having post season experience makes a much bigger difference in the NCAA tourney than the CIT. The CIT is more about: Who really wants to be here?

While yeah, they might not be a big name BCS game or whatever, this is way different than either of those 2 games, you lose, you are done for the year... Having seniors play for their right to extend their seasons and college careers end just one more game is big in any post season game.

You think Nik, TJ, Robin and Ethan are ready to just let their college careers end? It may not have the glamor or media hype/exposure of the Big Dance, but when it goes down to the win or go home mentality, experience in knowing how to win big games is always important. And yes any time you are playing for your season it is a big game.

Anyone see the rest of the teams in this tourney? Can anyone explain how we get an away game in the first round but LMU gets a home game? No way they can be seeded higher than us right?

I'm sure it came down to who would guarantee a bigger gate! An email today from the athletic department indicated a second round home game may be possible. IF.

LMU can guarantee 2000 seats max? If they play in that matchbox of a gym. Surely they should be going away to Pacific rather than staying at home. Pacific could guarantee more butts on seats right?

Somehow it's a travel thing (minimizing time away from class...yadda yadda).

Nice to see you, CJ.

Just wait till you see the gym UNC plays in.

Last year one of the freshman band students was a basketball manager and didn't travel to Pacific. This year, he's traveling with the team. I gotta find a student who will bring their laptop to band so we can get score updates.

Well, speaking from last year's experience the fan support wasn't so overwhelming at Pacific that it would guarantee another home game...

The way it works is the hosting team has to guarantee 40K to host, whether that come from the gate receipts, the general fund, or whatever. It really has nothing to do with seeding or anything like that. It all has to do with a) teams being close to one another regionally and b) willingness to shell out 40K.

Catching a plane tomorrow so access will be limited but will keep an eye on the Pilots tomorrow. It's got to be good on St. Patty's Day.

I will be wearing purple, not green tomorrow!

Jim Beseda's pre-game write-up, including some travel difficulties getting to Greeley: LINK.

A comment about the economics of the CIT:

The CIT is helping cover some of the Pilots' travel expenses, although UP athletic director Larry Williams said the trip to Greeley "will end up costing us a little bit. More than anything, though, we're motivated by the competition. As we build a program ... this is one of the steps, so even if we have to invest some to make it happen, it's worth doing it."

Notes: Pilots senior guard Nik Raivio, who has missed 14 games since he strained his right Achilles' tendon in practice Jan. 19, remains questionable but is expected to be in uniform tonight.

I would certainly toast a Guiness or Harp should Nik be able to play...

Coach Reveno will be on Wheels at Work on 95.5 the game at 12:35 this afternoon. Be sure to tune in.

http://www.955thegame.com/pages/5792962.php

Per Coach Reveno on 95.5 - Nik will not be available for tonight's game. Also, he was optimistic to host the next game if we can get a win tonight.

Just a confirmation about Nik, saw him on campus today so unless a St. Patrick's Day Miracle happens, he won't be playing tonight in Colorado

Down 4 at half: 34 - 30.

From what I could tell, the game came down to defense, rebounding, and shooting percentage. If we had defended better and held our own on the boards, our 55-42% edge from 3 point land would have been a bigger factor. We shot 81% from the free throw line so that was another positive that the team can take away from this. Outrebounded by 8: 34-26. UNC had a 56-44% field goal shooting edge as well...

Wizz was right, I'm bad luck. Last time I drive out to But-Cock Pavillion.