The Really Big One.. Zags

by Geezaldinho Sun Jan 30, 2011 9:41 pm

This one would be huge - maybe bigger than beating a ranked team, because, well, we haven't done it in a very long time at home. It would be a huge step for Rev's program.

Kerry Eggers gets us started:
http://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=129642702352857100

by Guest Mon Jan 31, 2011 12:02 am

I'd love to see a nice steady 15 and 12 from Luke, and have everyone else replicate their effort from the SMC game. Kinda funny, how Luke has 2 points and the team rolls, while he had 29 against SCU and the team stunk it up. Everybody needs to be on the same page Thursday.

GU brings a different challenge than St. Mary's. They aren't big on shooting the 3P shot as a team, although Gray takes as many as McConnell. When SMC's 3's weren't falling, they had no other attack. Not so for GU with Sacre. And you can't foul him like you can Mitchell Young; he makes almost 85% of his FT's. Plus their back-up center, freshman Sam Dower, had 15 against SMC and 27 against USD. They play more players; while SMC plays basically 7 or 8, the Zags go about 10 deep. And they'll be well rested; SMC was obviously gassed by our running strategy.

I can't wait to see how the Pilots rise to the challenge! bounce

by PilotDrummer Mon Jan 31, 2011 6:22 am

SMC was a big deal because we knocked off the #1 team in conference. This one's a big deal because the last time we beat Gonzaga was in Spokane my freshman year. I'm not sure when we actually beat them at home last. The current group of seniors hasn't ever beaten them, and I for one would like to send the GU fans home very quiet. I thought it was possible when the season started...I know it's possible after watching Saturday's game.

I know we're 12-0 in the Chiles Center - out of curiosity, I went back and looked at last season. We went 7-0 in the Chiles Center after our loss to Gonzaga on 01.09.10. 19-0 at home since last year's season opener? That's not too shabby.

I think if the same team that showed up Saturday shows up this Thursday, Gonzaga's going to be in trouble.

by **Rob's Jacket** Mon Jan 31, 2011 10:53 am

PilotDrummer wrote:I'm not sure when we actually beat them at home last.

1995-96. Yeah, it's been that long.

by Geezaldinho Mon Jan 31, 2011 1:09 pm

Yeah, but in 1996 we beat them twice, once at Home, once in the WCC tournament final. Very Happy

Now, there's a goal....

by **PilotNut** Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:14 pm

Misc. tid bits:

Portland Team Notes
*The Pilots (16-6, 4-3) are 12-0 at the Chiles Center this year after Saturday’s 85-70 win over No. 24 Saint Mary’s
*Portland and Gonzaga (14-8, 4-3) are currently tied in the West Coast Conference standings, two games behind league-leading Saint Mary’s
*UP is rated No. 56 nationally in the latest RPI released today by the NCAA: http://www.ncaa.com/rankings/basketball-men/d1
*The Pilots are No. 3 nationally in team 3-point percentage (.423)
*Freshman PG Tim Douglas was named the WCC Co-Player of the Week after averaging 20.0 points and 5.0 assists in two wins last week
*Senior G Jared Stohl is four points shy of cracking UP’s career top 10 scoring list (1,258 points)
*Senior F Luke Sikma leads the WCC with 10 double-doubles this season and ranks 11th nationally in rebounds (10.6)
*Junior G Nemanja Mitrovic is No. 4 nationally in three-point percentage (.481) and Stohl is No. 16 (.446)
*Thursday’s game is nationally televised on ESPN2 with an 8 p.m. tipoff… The game is sold out

by PurplePrideTrumpet Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:38 pm

Rob's Jacket wrote:
PilotDrummer wrote:I'm not sure when we actually beat them at home last.

1995-96. Yeah, it's been that long.

I was a high school freshman. Those were the years the student section would yell "Too cheap to fly!" because the Zags would take a bus down.

by Stonehouse Mon Jan 31, 2011 6:44 pm

PurplePrideTrumpet wrote:I was a high school freshman. Those were the years the student section would yell "Too cheap to fly!" because the Zags would take a bus down.

Well, that's because their AD/head coach Dan Fitzgerald kept most of their money in his secret slush fund, which he was then busted with major NCAA violations for. But, I suppose that's neither here nor there... Wink

by onetouchfutbol Mon Jan 31, 2011 8:48 pm

Yes, we haven't beat Gonzaga for a long time, but, let's put this in perspective. Last year, we lost at home partly because of a missed last second 3-pointer. Gonzaga is a down team and an inconsistent team right now. We've got every reason to believe that we will win this game.

RealTime RPI prediction: Portland 76- GU 71.

--------------------------------------

By the way BIG CONGRATS TO TIMMY D. FOR WCC CO-PLAYER OF THE WEEK...only the 5th freshman to ever win the reward multiple times:

http://www.portlandpilots.com/news/2011/1/31/MBB_0131114615.aspx?path=mbball

by **DaTruRochin** Mon Jan 31, 2011 9:23 pm

Well I don't know if I'd put much faith in a mathematical computation for win predictions. To borrow a term from Stonehouse, the Zags are very much a "wounded animal" right now capable of doing anything to survive.

Their record and their talent are in no way congruent, there really is no excuse or logical explanation to their record (well except the lack of a consistent ball handler, but the talent level should make up for that) I guess what I'm trying to say is never ever underestimate Gonzaga. (Yep, totally ripping of Geez's women's soccer credo)

But all things considered, if the Pilots team that showed up Saturday comes to Chiles on Thursday, I definitely like our chances!

Oh and Stoney... TOO SOON. Rolling Eyes

by Geezaldinho Mon Jan 31, 2011 9:35 pm

It's not his fault. He got baited by ppt.

by onetouchfutbol Tue Feb 01, 2011 9:06 am

DaTruRochin wrote:Well I don't know if I'd put much faith in a mathematical computation for win predictions. To borrow a term from Stonehouse, the Zags are very much a "wounded animal" right now capable of doing anything to survive.

Their record and their talent are in no way congruent, there really is no excuse or logical explanation to their record (well except the lack of a consistent ball handler, but the talent level should make up for that) I guess what I'm trying to say is never ever underestimate Gonzaga. (Yep, totally ripping of Geez's women's soccer credo)

But all things considered, if the Pilots team that showed up Saturday comes to Chiles on Thursday, I definitely like our chances!

Oh and Stoney... TOO SOON.

Hmmm...I wouldn't attribute their problems to a lack of a consistent ball handler. Demitri Goodsen is tournament tested, and he's done just fine in that area. He arguably has as much or more quickness than Pargo did. But, I'd say hands down we have better perimeter shooters than Gonzaga, and that used to be their trademark... Once you get past Steven Gray few other guys can hit their outside shots. We know what happened in the last game. We shot the ball well, but, turned the ball over too many times. If we cut down turnovers (and with Timmy D. running the point, I'm optimistic) and have a good shooting day again, I like our chances.

by **DaTruRochin** Tue Feb 01, 2011 9:27 am

Uhhhh, are you serious? Goodsen is nowhere the ball handler of Bouldin, Pargo, Raivio, Dickau, Stepp or Quentin Hall's caliber (Oh I guess I should probably mention that Stockton guy who always looked like such a sourpuss). This is the first year they haven't had a really good handler/passer in over a decade... Now true, the distance shooting is still suspect, but with a decent PG Sacre and Harris' numbers would be through the roof game in and game out.

by Guest Tue Feb 01, 2011 9:32 am

There is much debate on the GU board about moving young Stockton into the starting PG role.

by onetouchfutbol Tue Feb 01, 2011 9:43 am

DaTruRochin wrote:Uhhhh, are you serious? Goodsen is nowhere the ball handler of Bouldin, Pargo, Raivio, Dickau, Stepp or Quentin Hall's caliber (Oh I guess I should probably mention that Stockton guy who always looked like such a sourpuss). This is the first year they haven't had a really good handler/passer in over a decade... Now true, the distance shooting is still suspect, but with a decent PG Sacre and Harris' numbers would be through the roof game in and game out.

I guess I respectfully disagree. I agree that Pargo, Raivio, and Bouldin were good ball handlers. I'm not so sure about Dickau and Stepp. But, Goodsen's end-to-end last minute game winner in the tourney about two seasons ago was something that showed his talents. They miss Bouldin's assists more than his ball-handling. But, they don't have a great back up ball handler to Goodsen, and their outside shooting is lacking.

Does the ball handling in the clip below really look suspect?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtIak2ouNTE

You could say that he's underachieved in his career; I'll give you that much...

by **DaTruRochin** Tue Feb 01, 2011 10:03 am

That was ONE play 2 years ago, he has done very little of note since... as 7587 pointed out, the Zag board constituents wouldn't be calling for a freshman PG to be running the team if Goodsen was doing a good job...

Side note: Ball handling isn't just the ability to dribble around people, its also about creating looks for others, Goodsen doesn't do that consistently at all. and um Stepp and Dickau were both very good passers and handlers, quickness isn't a requirement (just look at John Stockton, not particularly quick, but I'd say he was passable at ballhandling and passing). But yeah, their depth at shooting from distance is definitely lacking this year, not that you necessarily need that to win.

by onetouchfutbol Tue Feb 01, 2011 10:09 am

I would argue that you do need some ability to shoot from distance in the WCC to win...and that Gray and Harris need to show up in every game. That's another thing that people are saying on the Gonzaga boards is that those two have been disappearing acts. Otherwise, teams are just going to double up on Sacre and take their chances on everyone else...

By the way, we can both agree that some of the opinions expressed on the GU boards are crazy just like their fans. Shocked

by adoptedzag Tue Feb 01, 2011 9:30 pm

onetouchfutbol wrote:By the way, we can both agree that some of the opinions expressed on the GU boards are crazy just like their fans.

Hey now, I represent that remark Wink

Every board has their nutjobs. 10 years of winning brings out more nutjobs than you would imagine.

by Stonehouse Tue Feb 01, 2011 10:35 pm

The one thing Steven Gray has been consistent about in his career is his inconsistency.

Still, having said that, the guy is very, very talented and we don't really have anyone with his size and athleticism to guard him. If I remember correctly, we tried to put Rodgers on him in the game up in Spokane and he drew three fouls in three minutes in the first half.

Sacre is good but can be somewhat contained if we don't allow him to kill us at the line... he gets so many points there it's ridiculous, and he shoots almost 90%. Of course, if you don't foul him he'll probably just make buckets. But here's hoping we can get some real quality, foul-free minutes from Jasonn, who is probably the only guy in the conference who can match Sacre's size and strength.

In terms of game plan, just think back to the last game... we had 20 turnovers (brutal!) to their nine, and the entire difference of the game (13 points) was made up at the free throw line... they went 19-24, we went 6-8. If we can limit turnovers and either not foul so much or get a bit more aggressive ourselves, I will feel a bit better about our chances.

Because remember: we shot over 52% to their 42%, made more field goals (24-23) outrebounded them 31-28, and hit 7-12 threes. Really, our offense played well against them... except for all those dang turnovers.

So... is it possible? Absolutely. But we'll need to play like we did against SMC and not like we had been the previous month. We need to protect the ball, run our offense, and try to not get sucked into hacking away at Sacre.

by Geezaldinho Tue Feb 01, 2011 11:10 pm

well, yeah Rogers got burned -- in Spokane. when Gray dips his shoulder here the refs will know about it.

i just don't think we will see that free throw differential here.

by Guest Tue Feb 01, 2011 11:37 pm

Purplegeezer wrote:when Gray dips his shoulder here the refs will know about it.

It's a conspiracy by the refs!! Rules

by tmac2218 Tue Feb 01, 2011 11:57 pm

Taking a look at our "Game Plan" page over on KenPom, FT Rate and eFG% (effective FG%) have really been the important stats in determining the outcome of our games this year. FT Rate is basically a measure of a team's ability to get to the line, and is calculated as follows: FTA/FGA. eFG% is like regular FG% except that it gives 50% more credit for made 3-pointers. When we have a higher FT Rate than our opponent, we're 10-0. When we have a higher eFG%, we're 15-1 (with the loss being at Gonzaga). Just thought that was interesting.

As for Thursday, I think the keys are winning the free throw battle, and taking care of the ball. Those two things were the reasons we lost in Spokane, so if we do a better job in those areas I like our chances.

by ShipstadPilot11 Wed Feb 02, 2011 1:32 pm

It will be important to get our shooters some separation from their defenders tomorrow. Gonzaga has some long and tall defenders (like Gray) who are able to put a lot of pressure on Jared and Nem. If we can get good looks, either in transition or off screens, things will go well for us.

Also, will we continue to see Tanner Riley coming in to play some D, like he did against SCU's Foster and against SMC?

by oh brody Wed Feb 02, 2011 1:39 pm

It will be important to get our shooters some separation from their defenders tomorrow.

I think Timmy, with his quickness, can help us in this area by pushing the ball and getting us some open looks in transition.

by **PilotNut** Wed Feb 02, 2011 5:46 pm

Portland (16-6, 4-3 WCC) vs. Gonzaga (14-8, 4-3)
February 3, 2011 • 8:00 PM • Portland, Ore. (Chiles Center - 4,852)
TV: ESPN2
Radio: 800 AM (KPDQ)
Live Audio/Stats: PortlandPilots.com
Series: GU leads 87-65
Last Meeting: GON 74, POR 61 (1/8/11 at Gonzaga)

This Week in Pilots Hoops…
The Portland Pilots (16-6, 4-3 WCC) begin the second half of West Coast Conference play by hosting Northwest rival Gonzaga on Thursday at 8 p.m. at the Chiles Center. The game is sold out, but will be televised nationally on ESPN2 with Dave Flemming and Sean Farnham on the call. The Bulldogs (14-8, 4-3) and Pilots are currently tied in the WCC standings. Gonzaga defeated the Pilots 74-61 in Spokane earlier this season and has not lost at the Chiles Center since 1996. Portland is currently 12-0 this season on their home floor.

Ticket Information
Tickets for Portland’s final two home games are available through all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com, over the phone at (800) 745-3000 or in-person at the Pilot Box Office. The Box Office will also be open one hour before tip-off for walk-up sales. The Pilots host San Francisco on Thursday, Feb. 17 at 6 p.m. and Santa Clara on Saturday, Feb. 19 at 5:30 p.m.

Portland Briefly...
• The Pilots are 12-0 at the Chiles Center this year after Saturday’s 85-70 win over No. 24 Saint Mary’s and Thursday’s 79-64 victory against San Diego.
• Freshman PG Tim Douglas scored 26 points against the Gaels and added 14 points and six assists against San Diego to earn WCC Co-Player of the Week honors. Douglas is just the fifth freshman in WCC history to earn the honor twice in one season.
• Senior G Jared Stohl added 21 points against the Gaels, including 5-of-7 from three-point range.
• Portland is rated No. 56 nationally in the latest NCAA RPI released on Jan. 31.
• UP is No. 12 in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25.
• The Pilots are No. 3 nationally in team 3-point percentage (.423).
• Stohl is four points shy of cracking UP’s career top 10 scoring list (1,258 points).
• Senior F Luke Sikma leads the WCC with 10 double-doubles this season and ranks 11th nationally in rebounds (10.6).
• Junior G Nemanja Mitrovic is No. 4 nationally in three-point percentage (.481) and Stohl is No. 16 (.446).
• Stohl (66) and Mitrovic (62) have combined to make 128 three-pointers, the second highest total of any teammates in the nation behind BYU’s Jimmer Fredette and Jackson Emery (133).
• Portland’s 56 wins over the last three years are the most of any three-year stretch since the Pilots joined Division I for the 1958-95 season.
• Portland is coming off of back-to-back postseason appearances and tied a school record with 21 wins last year. Head coach Eric Reveno welcomes eight newcomers to the roster, including seven true freshmen.
• The Pilots were picked fifth in the WCC Preseason Coaches Poll.

About Gonzaga
• The Bulldogs dropped a heartbreaking 73-71 decision to then-No. 24 Saint Mary’s as Mickey McConnell drilled a jumper with 1.2 seconds remaining last Thursday. Gonzaga bounced back to crush San Diego (86-53) on Saturday to snap a three-game WCC losing streak.
• Freshman C Sam Dower scored a career-high 27 points against the Toreros.
• Gonzaga has posted key non-conference wins over Baylor, Marquette, Xavier, Oklahoma State and Wake Forest.
• Head coach Mark Few posts a career 305-80 (.792) overall record and has the second highest win percentage among active NCAA Division I head coaches.
• Gonzaga has won 10 consecutive WCC regular season titles and advanced to the NCAA Tournament every season since 1999.
• Gonzaga leads the all-time series with Portland by an 87-65 margin, including a 74-61 win over the Pilots earlier this season in Spokane.
• The Bulldogs have won 29 of the last 30 meetings including the 14 meetings at the Chiles Center dating back to the 1995-96 season.

Douglas Garners Second Player of the Week Honor
Freshman point guard Tim Douglas and Saint Mary’s senior guard Mickey McConnell were named WCC Co-Players of the Week, the league announced on Monday. Douglas earned his second weekly award of the season to become just the fifth player in WCC history to receive multiple player of the week honors as a freshman. Douglas also earned weekly honors on Dec. 20 after scoring a career-high 27 points against Portland State. The Cerritos, Calif. native joins some select company by earning multiple honors as a true freshman. The only other players in WCC history to do so are Elias Harris (Gonzaga, 2010), Patrick Mills (Saint Mary’s, 2008), Darrell Tucker (San Francisco, 2000) and Greg Anthony (Portland, 1987). The league records for WCC player of the week awards date back to the 1981-82 season. Mills is the only freshman to earn the honor three times in one season. Douglas moved into the starting lineup for the first time this season on Thursday and helped the Pilots post convincing wins over San Diego (79-64) and No. 24 Saint Mary’s (85-70). He finished with 14 points and a season-high six assists on Thursday against the Toreros. He then erupted for 26 points, five rebounds and four assists to lead the upset of the Gaels. Portland leads the league with five WCC Player of the Week selections by four different players. In addition to the two awards for Douglas, Luke Sikma, Jared Stohl and Nemanja Mitrovic have also been recognized this season.

Pilots No. 3 Nationally in Three-Point Percentage
Portland is third in the nation in team three-point percentage (.423) after a 13-for-20 performance against Saint Mary’s. Last year Portland finished fifth nationally as a team in three-point percentage (.407), while the Pilots finished second nationally in 2008-09 (.418).

Chiles Center Dominance
The Chiles Center has become quite comfortable for the Pilots over the last three seasons as Portland has rattled off a 37-4 home record and 19 consecutive wins at the facility. Signature home wins have come against Washington, Oregon, Nevada and Saint Mary’s three times. Portland is off to an 12-0 start at the Chiles Center already this year and have had at least 10-point leads in each of the 12 victories.

Stohl/Mitrovic No. 2 Three-Point Combo in the Nation
Jared Stohl and Nemanja Mitrovic have combined to make 128 three-pointers, the second most of any duo in the nation behind BYU’s Jimmer Fredette and Jackson Emery (133). Stohl (66) is tied for ninth in three-pointers made, while Mitrovic is tied for 23rd (62). Already the Portland leader in career three-pointers made (311), Stohl moved into second place in the WCC record books after drilling five treys against Utah on Dec. 31. He is now chasing the WCC record of 363 held by Jeff Fryer of LMU (1987-90).

Sikma 11th Nationally in Rebounds
Senior F Luke Sikma is leading the WCC and ranks No. 11 nationally in rebounding average (10.6). Sikma has corralled double-digit rebounds in 13 games already has 10 double-doubles this season to lead the WCC. He matched his career-high with 19 rebounds versus Florida Atlantic on Nov. 14 and grabbed 18 at Idaho on Nov. 20.

Knutson Second in the WCC in Blocked Shots
Senior C Kramer Knutson ranks second in the WCC in blocked shots (35). Knutson, a four-year starter for Portland, ranks fourth in Pilot history in career field goal percentage (.548) and fifth in blocked shots (67). His 111 career games started are tied for second most in school history as he chases the all-time record of 112.

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