Gonzaga

by oldtimer Tue Dec 27, 2011 2:39 pm

Wednesday is the opening night for WCC play, and of course the Pilots are at Gonzaga.
Gonzaga is led in scoring by freshman Pangos who is at 14.3ppg followed closely by Harris at just over 13ppg and he is also the leading rebounder at 8.1rpg. Sacre is nursing an injured wrist and its been awefully quiet whether he is healthy or not. Sam Dower has been playing well behind Sacre and seeing more minutes. Another freshman in Gary Bell has been starting and contributing with his defense and scoring ability. Mike Hart rounds out the starting five being best known for his hustle, rebounding, defense and scrappy play.
Off the bench is David Stockton, Marques Carter, Ryan Spangler, and Guy Landry.
They are deep, talented and even though students are on break still at home.

The Pilots at least wont be shell shocked with this matchup as they have taken their learing curve to a whole new level with this years pre season schedule.

What are the keys to the game? How do the Pilots keep this within arms reach?

by DoubleDipper Tue Dec 27, 2011 5:28 pm

Well, it can happen. We can beat Gonzaga. It has happened before.

In February 2003 we entered the Gonzaga game with a of 2-9 WCC record, having already lost to Gonzaga in the Chiles Center. No one expected much, but it happened; the Pilots won 72-68.

I had the distinct pleasure of piloting the aircraft that took our team to Spokane for that win. We had three stewardesses onboard the evening we flew the guys to Spokane, and not only were they the prettiest and youngest I could find, but they were decked out in Pilots caps and sweaters and made a lots of “Go-Pilots” announcements (probably to the consternation of the Zag fans onboard).

As each guy deplaned they got a big good luck hug from the stewardesses, and a few, including Dustin Geddis and Patrick Galos, even got a good luck kiss too. Is that all our guy’s need to win, a hug and kiss? If so, I hope someone took care of our Pilots on their trip to Spokane today. Razz

by **PilotNut** Tue Dec 27, 2011 10:45 pm

Men’s Hoops Begins WCC Campaign at Gonzaga

Portland Pilots (3-10) at Gonzaga Bulldogs (9-2)
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011
Tip-off: 6:00 p.m. (PST)
Location: Spokane, Wash.
Arena: McCarthey Athletic Center
Television: ROOT Sports
Radio: 800 AM

Overall Series: GON leads 88-65
At UP: Tied 34-34
At GU: GON leads 42-22
At Neutral/Unknown: GU leads 12-9
Last: GON 67, POR 64 (Feb. 3, 2011 at Portland)

COMING UP
• Portland (3-10) opens West Coast Conference play at Gonzaga (9-2) on Wednesday, Dec. 28 at 6 p.m.
• The Pilots are looking to snap a six-game losing streak, while the Bulldogs are seeking their fifth consecutive win.
• Portland will return home for a Thursday, Jan. 5 matchup with Santa Clara (8 p.m.) and Saturday, Jan. 7 meeting with Pepperdine (5 p.m.) at the Chiles Center.

GAME COVERAGE
• Wednesday’s game will be televised live on ROOT Sports.
• All Portland basketball games will be broadcast live on True Talk 800 AM, with a 30-minute pregame show. Bill Johnson will call the action courtside and an audio simulcast will also be available on www.PilotsVideo.com.

ABOUT THE PILOTS
• The Pilots lost their sixth straight game with a 78-60 road loss to Nevada last Thursday. Freshman G Kevin Bailey scored a season-high 15 points to lead the Pilots.
• Sophomore F Ryan Nicholas is leading the Pilots in scoring (11.3) and rebounding (7.2)
• UP underclassmen are accounting for 76 percent of the minutes played and 78 percent of the team’s scoring thus far.
• Portland has outrebounded nine of 13 opponents this year.
• The Pilots played one of the most difficult non-conference schedules in the nation, including nine of 13 games away from the Chiles Center. Portland’s strength of schedule entering Tuesday is No. 7 nationally, according to KenPom.com.
• Sophomore C Riley Barker (knee) has missed the last six games due to injury and will not be available on Wednesday.
• Portland is 0-7 on the road this year, with two of those losses coming against ranked opponents (#2 Kentucky, #23 Saint Louis).
• Head coach Eric Reveno and all three assistant coaches return for their sixth year together on The Bluff. No other current Division I coaching staff in the nation has retained the same four-member coaching staff longer than Reveno and his staff.
• Portland is coming off of back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time ever.
• The Pilots were invited to the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) for the third consecutive season in 2011.
• Portland returns two starters and nine lettermen from last year’s team that finished 20-12 overall and 7-7 in the WCC.
• All nine UP graduates in the last two years and have gone on to play pro ball.
• The Pilots were picked to finish seventh in the nine-team West Coast Conference, while senior G Nemanja Mitrovic was named to the preseason all-conference team.

ABOUT GONZAGA
• The Bulldogs (9-2) have won four games in a row after dropping back-to-back games at Illinois (82-75) and at home to Michigan State (74-67).
• Gonzaga most recently defeated Air Force (70-60) and posts a 6-1 home record this year.
• Signature wins for the Bulldogs have come at home against Washington State (89-81), Notre Dame (73-53), Arizona (71-60) and Butler (71-55).
• Freshman G Kevin Pangos leads Gonzaga in scoring (14.5 ppg) and assists (3.3), while junior Elias Harris is second in scoring (13. and tops in rebounding (8.1).
• Senior C Robert Sacre (12.4 ppg) joined Harris on the WCC Preseason All-Conference Team.
• Gonzaga has won or shared 11 consecutive WCC regular season titles and was the preseason favorite to win again in 2012 according to the league’s head coaches.
• Mark Few is in his 13th season as the head coach and 23rd year overall at Gonzaga.

LINEUP NOTES
• Sophomore C Riley Barker has missed the last six games (knee) and will not be available on Wednesday.
• Head coach Eric Reveno has used six different starting lineups this year.
• Sophomore Ryan Nicholas is the only Pilot to start all 13 games this year, while 10 different Pilots have started at least one game.
• Three different freshmen have started at least four games.

by **PilotNut** Wed Dec 28, 2011 2:17 pm

Hopefully tonight gives the team a chance to hit the reset button, after a short break, and the start of conference play... I look to Nem to step up in WCC play, and with Tim D, carry the team.

Gonzaga has looked scary good at points this year... we need to keep Pangos for going crazy from 3-land, or it could get ugly. Hopefully we will see a renewed defensive effort after conclusion of the OOC season...

by DoubleDipper Wed Dec 28, 2011 2:43 pm

PilotNut wrote:... we need to keep Pangos for going crazy from 3-land, or it could get ugly. Hopefully we will see a renewed defensive effort...

There it is in a nutshell; we've go to step out and disrupt the 3-ball if we are to have a chance against a number of WCC teams starting with Gonzaga tonight. Twisted Evil

by ShipstadPilot11 Wed Dec 28, 2011 3:18 pm

I'm excited to be at the game tonight. I hope Sacre doesn't play but I fear we may have trouble containing Harris (as well as Pangos).

I want to see old Nem and I want to see us lock it down on D. If we can keep this game within 10, that will be great. I think the spread is 20+.

by DoubleDipper Wed Dec 28, 2011 4:50 pm

ShipstadPilot11 wrote: I think the spread is 20+.

Yea, the spread is 20.5 with a 98% probability of Gonzaga winning.
In summary, the odds makers don't like that UP generates a modest 65.3 ppg, while yielding 77.2ppg. Evil or Very Mad

by Guest Wed Dec 28, 2011 7:04 pm

Some halftime thoughts:

*We are a young team and it shows, but I relish the thought of how good they will be in the future. I hope that we can challenge better Gonzaga in the future.

*The last couple of years we have been graced by Jared and Nem's ability to hit the three well. However, we cannot seem to shoot it as well as we used to. That being said, we need to stop shooting them as much as we do. I understand taking an open 3-point shot, but I feel like the guys just put them up whenever they get the chance (I won't name anyone) -- even if there is still plenty of shot clock to burn. We need to be getting inside more to hit those higher percentage shots.

*Our guys need to learn to set up themselves to take a charge. Sikma was very good at this and Rhino is our best player at it currently.

*I like the guys passion and hustle. They still go after every loose ball even when they are down by a considerable amount. Keep at it!

*Root Sport should just rename itself GonzagaTV (and HuskyTV). Also, the picture quality looks terrible. Amateur video camera quality I mean. It's hard to watch.

I hope for a better second half. Go Pilots!

by Guest Wed Dec 28, 2011 8:10 pm

Final 90 - 50. Embarassed

Shooting less than 30% overall, and 4 of 21 from 3P, 19%. Crying or Very sad

At least our team outscored their bench players, 50 - 47.

by **PilotNut** Wed Dec 28, 2011 8:33 pm

Wow. Talk about a shellacking... Yes, GU is good, but my goodness... I try to stay positive, but this was a disappointing showing for the program tonight.

I know the schedule has been brutal... but I am quite concerned with our shot selection, turnovers and the continued defensive lapses. Our offensive execution is, quite frankly, awful.

We arent anywhere close to the same realm as GU or BYU right now... GU's 3 freshmen went for a combined 13-20 from the field, 10 rebounds and 36 points. Our 4 were 7-18, 15 boards and 21 points... ouch.

I am beginning to feel that the game vs. SCU next week is shaping up to be a "must win" to keep the season from spiralling out of control... If you are Coach Rev, what do you have the guys working on in practice during the next week, and what lineup do you start with vs. the Broncos?

by Guest Wed Dec 28, 2011 9:46 pm

I have another thought: We just graduated two large classes of athletes from the basketball team who had a small underclassmen group. Currently, we have a large sophomore class, a large freshmen class, and relatively few upperclassman (who are that underclassmen group from before)... won't this cycle of success and rebuilding continue to repeat itself over and over again if we keep having to recruit like this?

by **PilotNut** Wed Dec 28, 2011 11:19 pm

I have thought about that, and hope that we can get the depth to consider red shirting and maybe land a quality transfer here and there to try to smooth out the recruiting cycle...

by ShipstadPilot11 Thu Dec 29, 2011 12:04 am

up7587 wrote:Final 90 - 50.

We did not lose by 40. 90 - 51.

RipCityPilot wrote:*We are a young team and it shows, but I relish the thought of how good they will be in the future. I hope that we can challenge better Gonzaga in the future.

I think this during every game. We have a ton of potential and we're making a ton of mistakes right now. When things click, it will be a thing of beauty. I really like the player Kevin Bailey projects to be and Ryan is a beast.

RipCityPilot wrote:*The last couple of years we have been graced by Jared and Nem's ability to hit the three well. However, we cannot seem to shoot it as well as we used to. That being said, we need to stop shooting them as much as we do. I understand taking an open 3-point shot, but I feel like the guys just put them up whenever they get the chance (I won't name anyone) -- even if there is still plenty of shot clock to burn. We need to be getting inside more to hit those higher percentage shots.

It's tough on a night like tonight where we just don't measure up to the size of GU's players (I think we missed Riley a LOT). But in general, we're running the offense like we can nail 3's all night and the evidence so far says otherwise. Like any good team should, we need to adapt our game to our strengths (sound familiar?). We need Nem and Tanner to find their stroke, but we can't afford to huck up every semi-open look until they do. Rev once said something like "nobody has ever had a greener light to shoot the 3 than Jared Stohl." Well, Nem and Tanner are not Jared Stohl.

RipCityPilot wrote:I have another thought: We just graduated two large classes of athletes from the basketball team who had a small underclassmen group. Currently, we have a large sophomore class, a large freshmen class, and relatively few upperclassman (who are that underclassmen group from before)... won't this cycle of success and rebuilding continue to repeat itself over and over again if we keep having to recruit like this?

I agree that we really need to balance out our recruiting. It's gonna be tough to do because it seems dumb to hold on to 2-3 scholarships for a year or two until we can balance things out. But this will become cyclical if Rev & Co don't address it.

Here is a little stat that is surprising to me:

Player - 3-point FG %
David Carr - 28%
Dorian - 26.3%
Ryan - 25%

Surprising for a few reasons:
It felt to me like Ryan hit more of his 3s than Dorian.
I get upset whenever Dorian shoots a 3 but, if he doesn't have a green light, should Carr?

by oldtimer Thu Dec 29, 2011 12:45 am

Shipstad, Dorian and Ryan are both shooting 25% from beyond the arc, Ryan 3-12 and Dorian 5-20. Carr could really use a lesson on how to make an entry pass, I dont think he has tried one all season.
So what do we have, one scholarship to use for next year? That is if we keep all current players. What position do we use it on?
And Shipstad you have been adament about how the team misses Riley Barker, you might get your wish at the next home stand.

by ShipstadPilot11 Thu Dec 29, 2011 10:03 am

oldtimer wrote:Shipstad, Dorian and Ryan are both shooting 25% from beyond the arc, Ryan 3-12 and Dorian 5-20.

True enough. Yahoo! hadn't updated through the GU game last night when I got that statistic. Now Dorian and Ryan are at 25% and David at 27.6%. Still not a huge gap between a hopeful sniper and our two power forwards.

oldtimer wrote:So what do we have, one scholarship to use for next year? That is if we keep all current players. What position do we use it on?

With Ehlers, we have one left, by my count. I think we should get another point guard. We'll be down to just Derrick and Timmy next year and PG is the only position not represented in our freshman class.

oldtimer wrote:And Shipstad you have been adament about how the team misses Riley Barker, you might get your wish at the next home stand.

Riley wasn't putting up huge numbers before he left (I don't know if the injury impacted his performance or not) but he has that whole 6'10" thing going on for him. Having only one center is tough, especially against a team with Gonzaga's size. And I'm no good at assessing defensive impact, but if he helps our defense at all, then even better that he should be back soon.

by ShipstadPilot11 Thu Dec 29, 2011 10:09 am

ShipstadPilot11 wrote:But in general, we're running the offense like we can nail 3's all night and the evidence so far says otherwise. Like any good team should, we need to adapt our game to our strengths (sound familiar?). We need Nem and Tanner to find their stroke, but we can't afford to huck up every semi-open look until they do. Rev once said something like "nobody has ever had a greener light to shoot the 3 than Jared Stohl." Well, Nem and Tanner are not Jared Stohl.

To this point, Tanner is currently our leader in 3PT% at 33.3%. Last season, he would have tied with Luke for 5th on the team with 33.3% behind Tim, Eric, Jared and Nem. On the bright side, Tanner is up almost 3% from his season mark last year.

by **PilotNut** Thu Dec 29, 2011 12:11 pm

I never understood why Tanner was called "Instant offense"... more like "Instant Shot He Probably Shouldn't Take"... Rolling Eyes

by ShipstadPilot11 Thu Dec 29, 2011 12:26 pm

PilotNut wrote:I never understood why Tanner was called "Instant offense"... more like "Instant Shot He Probably Shouldn't Take"...

The frustrating part is that I was watching him during warmups before the second half and he was draining every shot. So when he took some open shots in the second half, I was hopeful and thought they were good shots. Maybe he's one of those people that psych themselves out over the easy shots... I don't know. He definitely has potential.

by blacksheep Thu Dec 29, 2011 2:44 pm

PilotNut wrote:I never understood why Tanner was called "Instant offense"... more like "Instant Shot He Probably Shouldn't Take"...

Tanner takes some shots he shouldn't, but that a whole lot better than the guys who should take shots and don't.

by DoubleDipper Thu Dec 29, 2011 2:49 pm

blacksheep wrote:Tanner takes some shots he shouldn't, but that a whole lot better than the guys who should take shots and don't.

Man, who's taking shots now!? Razz

by blacksheep Thu Dec 29, 2011 2:52 pm

DoubleDipper wrote:
blacksheep wrote:Tanner takes some shots he shouldn't, but that a whole lot better than the guys who should take shots and don't.
Man, who's taking shots now!?

Hey, I didn't name names lol!

by **PilotNut** Thu Dec 29, 2011 3:35 pm

Did I miss some pre-game shots at the Alumni House?!

by **DaTruRochin** Fri Dec 30, 2011 9:37 am

So THAT was the problem... Not turnovers, sloppy play, fear or laziness.... Pilot Nut slacked and forgot his pre-game jaeger shot? For shame...

by DoubleDipper Thu May 24, 2012 4:39 pm

..... Oh boy. At a recent function someone asked me whatever happened to Gonzaga’s Kelly Olnyk. It turns out the 7’0” 220 center from Kamloops decided to redshirt last year to get stronger and bigger and get more practice experience. He’ll be back for two more years for the Zags starting this coming season.

Gonzaga Kelly10

by **DaTruRochin** Fri May 25, 2012 5:29 am

Hahaha well I mean the guy did look like a bobblehead his freshman year a year off to get stronger and develop his game will go a long way... They'll need him to step in and help fill in the role vacated by Sacre graduating (Rob IS graduating right?? I feel like Sacre has been there for 12 years....)

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