UP @ USF 1/20 7:30 PM

by slick Sat Jan 15, 2011 9:17 pm

See you on the Hilltop .. wear Purple!

by **DaTruRochin** Tue Jan 18, 2011 9:47 am

For your viewing pleasure:

~~Live Stats~~

~~Video~~

UPDATE: So apparently neither of these works, and I don't have comcast, so to the radio I go.... BOOOOOOO! (I hope jared drops 15 3s on them to make up for this malfeasance...)

Remember: WE PLAY HARDER!!

by **PilotNut** Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:30 am

DaTruRochin wrote:WE PLAY HARDER!!

One of the Top 5 moments from my UP basketball fan history... Absolutely classic.

Hopefully a game vs. USF is just what the Doctor ordered for Jared, to get out of his relative "funk"... he always seems to go crazy against the Dons, sinking virtual circus shots... Very Happy

This weekend will be a good road test for the Pilots, with 2 solid mid-WCC teams... Hopefully we can take care of the ball, and continue to make shots, while Luke & Kramer continue to dominate down low.

Reminder: This game will also be on TV, on Comcast SportsNet NW, 7:30pm.

by **DaTruRochin** Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:40 am

It should be noted, however, that the Don's are leading the conference in 3 pt defense (Only allowing 31%), BUT they are last in blocked shots per game. So I'd almost expect over-pursuit to try and stop Jared (they are scared of him), which should give plenty of space for Luke and Kramer to go to work.

Also, Nem will also get a fair amount of attention, which might lead to Eric getting some open looks, which he has been pretty adept at knocking down (This could go a long way to restoring his confidence.)

USF is an improved team and should be no cakewalk, in the overall standings for the WCC, this road trip is VERY important if we want to establish ourselves legitimately at #3 in the conference.

by PurplePrideTrumpet Tue Jan 18, 2011 11:33 am

USF plays solid defense, statistically better than the Pilots. The problem for them is they have trouble scoring. We will be in good shape if we shut them down the way we did Pepperdine.

by MesaPilot1 Tue Jan 18, 2011 12:41 pm

Mesa will be enjoying the game on his recliner & lurking in the chat room Suspect

by Stonehouse Tue Jan 18, 2011 2:18 pm

This is a tricky one... USF has a very good defense and they play at a slow tempo, so they limit the opponent's possessions. (Of course, we play at an even slower tempo.) Outside of SMC and Gonzaga, this is probably our toughest WCC road game. (Well, maybe LMU, considering they nearly beat us at home already.)

Sophomore guard Mikey Williams is the one to watch out for... he's averaging something like 17-18 points a game is a very good outside shooter - 4th nationally at last look, so he's right up there with guys like Nem and Mickey McConnell.

They play a true freshman (Cody Doolin) at point guard and he's been a bit up and down, so my hope is that Eric can bounce back a bit on Thursday.

They have some serviceable big guys in Perris Blackwell and Mustafa Diarra, and forward Angelo Colaiorio (sp?) doesn't really look like a player but is a good shooter and rebounder.

Still, I think our big advantage in this game will be down low - I think Luke could have a very big game and Kramer can clean up all the rest. Jasonn could definitely cause some match-up problems too, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him get a few minutes to see what he can do.

It'll be a tough one, but if we can get back to playing the way we know we can, I think we can pull it out.

by PurplePrideTrumpet Tue Jan 18, 2011 3:25 pm

We in fact have the lowest number of possessions per game in the WCC.

As you might have guessed our offense is fine. Our pts/possession is second only to St. Mary's. As for defensive efficiency, we're in the middle of the pack and can definitely improve.

by MesaPilot1 Tue Jan 18, 2011 7:30 pm

MesaPilot1 wrote:Mesa will be enjoying the game on his recliner & lurking in the chat room

And watching Stohl blister Rex's team by 20 as Nem or Stohl scores 30 + and Luke gets 12 rebounds & Kramer blocks 2 + shots Very Happy

by MesaPilot1 Tue Jan 18, 2011 7:34 pm

MesaPilot1 wrote:
MesaPilot1 wrote:Mesa will be enjoying the game on his recliner & lurking in the chat room

And watching Stohl blister Rex's team by 20 as Nem or Stohl scores 30 + and Luke gets 12 rebounds & Kramer blocks 2 + shots

Santa Clara will be the tough game with two potential ALL-WCC players in TRAVELINI & Foster with a courteous ,ha ha,student section....wouldn't it be nice if we could say that,,, hmmmm.

by MesaPilot1 Tue Jan 18, 2011 7:52 pm

I guess I spoke to soon about SCU...their fans are so bummed with their team the crowd should be small.... Very Happy

by PurplePrideTrumpet Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:34 pm

MesaPilot1 wrote:I guess I spoke to soon about SCU...their fans are so bummed with their team the crowd should be small....

I would be more bummed about having Keating as my coach. There's quite a few opponents out there that actually require you to strategize during the game. Wink

by onetouchfutbol Wed Jan 19, 2011 5:40 am

PurplePrideTrumpet wrote:We in fact have the lowest number of possessions per game in the WCC.

As you might have guessed our offense is fine. Our pts/possession is second only to St. Mary's. As for defensive efficiency, we're in the middle of the pack and can definitely improve.

That's an interesting stat. So, obviously we're converting at a high rate. It's so early in the season that I kind of expect that statistic to change. I think that the low scoring game against Pepperdine might have skewed that statistical category a bit. Our guys do a good job of getting their shots off, and it's not as if our system is Princetonesque (and we're always holding onto the ball until the last possible second to get a shot off).

Honestly, I just think it's a little bit too early in the WCC season to pay too much attention to statistical trends...

by PurplePrideTrumpet Wed Jan 19, 2011 10:46 am

Actually, the numbers are for the overall season. We still have time to improve the defense though.

by **PilotNut** Wed Jan 19, 2011 5:29 pm

Pilots Travel to San Francisco, Santa Clara

Portland (14-4, 2-1 WCC) at San Francisco (8-10, 2-1)
January 20, 2011 • 7:30 PM • San Francisco, Calif. (War Memorial Gym- 4,800)
TV: CSN NW
Radio: 800 AM (KPDQ)
Live Audio: PortlandPilots.com
Series: USF leads 45-25
Last Meeting: UP 70, USF 59 (2/25/10 at UP)

Portland (14-4, 2-1 WCC) at Santa Clara (10-9, 1-2)
January 22, 2011 • 3:00 PM • Santa Clara, Calif. (Leavey Center - 4,700) TV: CSN NW
Radio: 800 AM (KPDQ)
Live Audio: PortlandPilots.com
Series: SCU leads 54-26
Last Meeting: UP 68, SCU 55 (2/27/10 at UP)

This Week in Pilots Hoops…
The Portland Pilots (14-4, 2-1 WCC) will travel to the Bay Area to face West Coast Conference rivals San Francisco and Santa Clara this week. The Pilots will be at San Francisco (8-10, 2-1) on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and at Santa Clara (10-9, 1-2) on Sunday at 3 p.m.

Game Coverage
Thursday’s game will be aired live on CSN-NW with Barry Tompkins and Dan Belloumini providing the call. Saturday’s game will also be on CSN-NW with Ted Robinson and Kris Weems calling the action. All Portland games will be aired live on the radio in the Portland market on 800 AM (KPDQ) with Bill Johnson providing the play-by-play, including a 30-minute pregame show.

Portland Briefly...
• Portland improved to 10-0 at the Chiles Center this season with wins over LMU (79-78, 2ot) and Pepperdine (57-42) last weekend. The Pilots are 35-4 at the Chiles Center since 2008-09.
• Senior F Luke Sikma averaged 19.5 points and 9.5 rebounds in the two wins.
• Portland has won seven of its last eight games with the lone loss coming at Gonzaga (74-61).
• The Pilots are rated No. 47 nationally according to the NCAA RPI as of Jan. 17.
• Portland is ranked No. 14 in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 (Jan. 17).
• Portland is No. 2 in the nation in team three-point percentage (.435).
• Mitrovic (56) and Jared Stohl (54) have made the most 3-pointers of any teammates in the nation (110). Mitrovic is No. 2 nationally in 3-point percentage (.519).
• Luke Sikma is leading the WCC and is 10th in the nation in rebounding (10.6).
• Stohl led the nation in three-point percentage last season (.478) and is No. 2 all-time in the WCC in career three-pointers. He currently has 299 career threes and trails only Jeff Fryer (LMU, 363).
• Stohl was named to the 10-player WCC Preseason All-Conference Team.
• Portland returns one starter from last year’s 21-11 squad (Kramer Knutson) along with Sikma and Stohl, both All-WCC honorable mention honorees last season.
• Head coach Eric Reveno returns with his staff for their fifth season together at Portland. He is the third longest tenured head coach in the WCC.

About San Francisco
• USF (8-10, 2-1 WCC) defeated San Diego (65-55) on the road last weekend after a 71-57 loss at Saint Mary’s. The Dons opened WCC play with a 74-67 win at Santa Clara.
• The Dons post an RPI of 123, fourth best in the conference.
• USF is one of the youngest teams in Division I basketball this season with just seven years of returning Division I experience. Dons underclassmen average 41.7 points per game.
• Sophomores Michael Williams (16.0 ppg) and Perris Blackwell (10.8 ppg) lead the Dons.
• The Dons have won 10 of their last 14 contests at War Memorial Gym including overtime wins vs. No. 13/8 Gonzaga 81-77 (1/30/10) and Colorado 83-81 (11/20/10).
• USF was picked sixth in the WCC Preseason Coaches Poll.
• Head coach Rex Walters is in his third year on the Hilltop.

About Santa Clara
• The Broncos (10-9, 1-2 WCC) split a road trip last week with a win over San Diego (61-52) and
loss to Saint Mary’s (84-59). SCU lost at home to San Francisco to open league play (74-67).
• SCU is led by RS-sophomore Kevin Foster with 18.5 ppg, while junior Marc Trasolini adds 11.9
ppg and freshman Evan Roquemore contributes 10.7 ppg.
• Among common non-conference opponents, SCU lost at home in OT to Washington State (85-
79) and lost at home UC Santa Barbara (80-69).
• Head coach Kerry Keating is in his fourth year at SCU with a career record of 53-63.
• Santa Clara was picked fourth in the WCC Preseason Coaches Poll.

14-4 Start Ties Best in School History
Portland’s 14-4 record through 18 games is tied for the best in school history with the 1978-79
Pilots. UP also collected its 10th win of the season before Christmas for the fi rst time in school
history with victory over Boise State on Dec. 22.

by Rochin54 Wed Jan 19, 2011 7:08 pm

So, we win this game and we have our best start in school history? Cool!!

by MesaPilot1 Thu Jan 20, 2011 5:58 am

Rochin54 wrote:So, we win this game and we have our best start in school history? Cool!!

Yippee!!!!
Surprised

1000 posts my friends, and counting..........

by **DaTruRochin** Thu Jan 20, 2011 12:32 pm

Oregonian Preview:

What: Portland (14-4, 2-1 West Coast) at San Francisco (8-10, 2-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday at War Memorial Gym, San Francisco

TV/Radio: CSN (Comcast 37); KPDQ (800)

Probable starters: Portland
-- F Luke Sikma (13.1 ppg, 10.6 rpg), C Kramer Knutson (7.8 ppg, 5.3
rpg), G Nemanja Mitrovic (13.7 ppg), G Jared Stohl (13.7 ppg), G Eric
Waterford (6.4 ppg, 3.2 apg); San Francisco -- F Perris Blackwell
(10.8 ppg, 7.0 rpg), F Angelo Caloiaro (9.7 ppg, 7.4 rpg), G Michael
Williams (16.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg), G Rashad Green (9.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg), G Cody
Doolin (6.3 ppg, 3.2 apg)
UPPilots junior guard Nemanja Mitrovic is shooting 51.9 percent from three-point range.

Noteworthy:
The winner of Thursday's game takes over sole possession of third place
in the WCC and stays within striking distance of league leaders Gonzaga
and Saint Mary's. ... The Pilots, coming off Saturday's 57-42 home win over Pepperdine, have
won two in a row and 10 of the last 12. They also have won four
straight in the series with the Dons -- their longest winning streak
against USF in program history.

Mitrovic is shooting 51.9 percent (56 for 108) from three-point range and ranks second nationally behind
Northwestern forward John Shurna, who was shooting 54.8 percent (46 for
84) after Tuesday's 74-60 home win over Michigan. ... Stohl, who led
the nation last season in three-point percentage (.478), needs one trey
to reach 300 for his career. In six games against USF, Stohl has average
18.3 points a game, while shooting 55.6 percent (35 for 63) from the
field and 53.6 percent (30 for 56) from beyond the arc.

Sikma had
a combined 39 points and 19 rebounds in last week's home wins over
Loyola Marymount (79-78, 2OT) and Pepperdine (57-42). ... Despite last
week's wins, the Pilots' RPI slipped six spots to 47, while Saint Mary's
climbed six places to 33 and Gonzaga dropped from 31 to 46. San
Francisco's RPI went from 136 to 123 after the Dons split two road
games, falling 71-57 at Saint Mary's before winning 65-55 at San Diego.

After
three consecutive road games to open WCC play, the Dons return home
where they have a 6-2 record. ... USF has one of the youngest teams in
the conference with nine newcomers, including seven freshmen. ... The
Dons have held nine of the last 11 opponents under 70 points and lead
the WCC in three-point defense, limiting teams to 31.6 percent shooting
(136 for 430) from long range.

-- Jim Beseda

by MesaPilot1 Thu Jan 20, 2011 5:35 pm

..That's a nice picture of the 2011 PILOTS WCC 1st team performer Very Happy

...see you guys in the chat room tonight!!!

Mesapilot1

Fry frisco dons!!!

by Rochin54 Thu Jan 20, 2011 7:17 pm

Pre-game chat with Rev and Bill, asking about Jared, Rev says, "He could go 0-20 and I'd still want him shooting every opportunity he gets" (or something to that effect). Totally agree. Let's go Pilots!!

by Rochin54 Thu Jan 20, 2011 7:25 pm

I could listen to Rev talk for long periods of time. I love that he's our coach. He is clearly so very knowledgeable about the game.

by **DaTruRochin** Thu Jan 20, 2011 9:40 pm

GROOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAN.

by MesaPilot1 Thu Jan 20, 2011 9:41 pm

One word...Peeeeeeeuuuuuuhhhhhj!!!!!! Next game please Embarassed

by mattywizz Thu Jan 20, 2011 10:14 pm

Well, I got really excited when I saw SCU over Gonzaga. Then I saw the score to our game. Time to go back to bed.

by MesaPilot1 Thu Jan 20, 2011 10:16 pm

mattywizz wrote:Well, I got really excited when I saw SCU over Gonzaga. Then I saw the score to our game. Time to go back to bed.

Good one matty!!! jocolor

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