New Blog...

Too lazy to type it out again...

http://blog.oregonlive.com/pilots/2007/11/pilots_win.html

I think I'm in love with Luke Sikma.

It was a good tournment for Smeulders who averaged 14 points and 7 rebounds.

Agreed! Once *cough cough* updated season stats are up on the website, we can get a better idea how everyone is doing.

However, the WCC site has all the stats in, and there's some cool stuff to be seen:

http://wccsports.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/stats/2007-2008/confldrs.html

Best stat of all... +8 rebounding margin. WOW! Think about it... we have no experienced post players and lost two games and are still outrebounding opponents by 8 a game. Seriously... that is really impressive and just solidifies my belief that we've got smart players down there and that Rev knows how to coach them.

Pilot are shooting 83% from the line as a team, which is a VERY good number. Easily tops in the conference at the moment (I know, I know, it's only a few games in).

Only shooting 30% overall from three (16-52 overall). That needs to improve.

Averaging 17 turnovers a game. Not too hot there either. Our assist number are also a bit low, only 40 on 70 made shots.

So yes there's plenty of room for improvement, but there are also some encouraging signs.

Goooooo Pilots!

Stonehouse,

I thought both Sikma and Smeulders played great during the tournament. It's nice to see how Smeulder ,Nediamiar(SP.),Sherrard, and "Dead Eye" Stohl come off the bench to score and contribute so much to the game.
Thompson seems to have a real smooth jumper and when he's on it's not just Stohl from the outside.
I believe there was about 20-30 Pilot Fans there but though we were small in numbers we cheered loud.
It was nice meeting the Niedamiers (SP.) ,Thompsons. and Mrs Sikma and his brother. They were real quality people.
As usual Kramer scored the first few baskets then got in foul trouble. It's nice to have Robin to step right in with his scoring.
Even though this is early in the season I think there will be much improvement throughout the year with this young team.
Both Ito and Sherrad appear to be good leader's of the team from what I saw in Fresno.

Nice post Mesa... ah the joys of spelling the UP team's names! What you mean Sherrard, Niedermeyer, Taishi, etc. are tricky to spell? Just be glad you weren't around when big Phil Djevorak (?), Ghislain (?) Sema, Diaby Kamara, Karmie Olowoyo (?) or Chukwumah Neboh were around. Ah... sometimes I miss Rob Chavez. Or... maybe not.

Good to hear that there were some Pilot faithful down there, even if it was mainly family! It's always nice to know that there are some good people supporting our athletes.

I'm really glad that Walter is stepping up and producing for the team. I wasn't sure that would happen after last season, but I'm 100% happy that he has proved me wrong so far. He can definitely stroke it from the outside when he's hot... the big thing for him will be playing within his means (i.e. not turning the ball over trying to do too much) and playing good defense. I remember reading a Rev quote from somewhere saying that Walter really bought into commiting himself to improving his defense this summer, which is huge. One things for sure about Walter - he wants to play and will work hard to earn his minutes.

How strange is it that it's seeming like our post play is going to be the strength of the team? I had the inkling that all the new guys would be solid, but you never knew with not any of them having D1 experience. But now I think we can count on Smeulders to be a scoring threat, Sikma to be a good rebounder/passer, and Kramer to do all the dirty defensive work against the opposing team's best post guy. The thing I like most about all the guys is that they can all rebound, can all finish around the hoop, and can all pass well out of the post. Foul trouble could be an achilles heel because we don't have too much depth (I love big Jasonn, but he's still got some work to do), but overall I'm definitely impressed with all three bigs.

Don't look know, but this could be a VERY strong group of post players in a year or two, especially if we (hopefully!!!) add big 7'1" Greg Somogyi to the mix.

Great updates from the game, thanks Mesa! It will be interesting to see how this season progresses. It seems like this team is going to have to play some very tough defense to win their games.

I know someone mentioned previously that we just LOOKED very young on the court. I was looking through the media guide, and the pictures included there, and we most certainly look very very young. I'm hoping the new Strength and conditioning coach can get a good handle on all the young guys, and really help improve their strength going forward. I think that is something that is quite underrated at the collegiate level - not necessary, but underrated.

By the way, the media guide is on portlandpilots.com in pdf format for those who didn't get a hard copy.

Stonehouse wrote:it's seeming like our post play is going to be the strength of the team

How long has it been since we've been able to say THAT?

I think it was actually Phil *Dejworek*, but I could be wrong.