Re: Portland-Idaho State

by DoubleDipper Thu Nov 15, 2012 10:01 pm

DeanMurdoch wrote:
Ehlers subbed in midway through the second half so there ya go!

Pilots up five here with nine minutes left. VdM just got his fourth foul, Nicholas is lighting it up.

Ryan Nicolas’ backup is Dorian; after Dorian it is John Bailey….and that’s become a problem. As physically improved as John is, he is still too slow going to the rim or making passes, allowing defenders to interrupt or block his shots and passes.

So, who’s John’s backup…..well, it was Jake Ehlers, but it has become obvious that Jake provides more athleticism and quickness and has moved ahead of John.

It is still hoped that Dorian will be back this season as the Pilots are better with him in the lineup, but if Dorian does return, it will probably be after the end of the term, December 14. To the best of my knowledge, Dorian is not practicing with the team…..so who knows what his future really is.

by **PilotNut** Thu Nov 15, 2012 10:06 pm

A win is a win... but man, this was not pretty.

Our offense struggled to find a rhythm all night, and it was still evident that the offense was stagnant with Rodgers at PG.

Ehlers was in the game, and Cason was nowhere to be seen.

by NoPoNeighbor Thu Nov 15, 2012 10:24 pm

Great to get out a see a live game! First non-statistical impressions of seeing the team in person:

- The offense is SLOW. Might be in part because we were playing against the zone. Still, it looked like they guys were in slow motion for most of the night once they got into a half court set. Almost no quick, crisp passes. I think this led to a few turnovers, as the passes were telegraphed and obvious, and by the time someone got around the making the pass the defense had stepped in the way. Any time there was the slightest opening to push the break, Rev was shouting for them to "Go! Go!" This is clearly a point of emphasis for the coaching staff. But they really need to work on running the offensive sets MUCH quicker and crisper.

- We looked great on the boards! However, despite our size advantage in the post our centers were complete non-factors on offense. I thought Rev was supposed to be a specialist at developing big men?

- Not a good game for Carr. Looked like Rev yanked him after a few turnovers. He did the same to K. Bailey. I think Rev is desperate to get the TOs under control, and has resorted to pulling guys out of the game who can't take care of the ball.

- A lot of hesitant shooters, aside from Nicholas.

- A lot of minutes for Thieleke and Rodgers. Neither one did a lot on offense (though Thieleke had a couple of highlight reel plays!). But I thought both of them provided a spark of energy and intensity, especially on defense.

- When Ehlers came in my first thought was, "so much for the redshirt." Second thought: "This probably means Cason is done for the season." Any chance Cason could redshirt?

- Game operations: The recorded music should not be left playing while the band is trying to play. Amateur hour. I think there were quite a few opportunities for the band to jump in with some more tunes during timeouts, etc. The drummer should not be playing drum solos. They had a Twitter contest to pick a song that would be played, but then the song was never played.

by dholcombe Thu Nov 15, 2012 10:29 pm

PilotNut wrote:and Cason was nowhere to be seen.

I'm pretty sure he was over in the student section the whole game if you took a gander.

by Guest Thu Nov 15, 2012 10:33 pm

NoPoNeighbor wrote:They had a Twitter contest to pick a song that would be played, but then the song was never played.

While I usually refrain from talking about game ops since I don't follow it at all. I thought this was strange too, but then I realized that the band was actually playing the winning song. Rolling Eyes

Anyone have thoughts on us students? I realize that one guy came over to help us out.

by DoubleDipper Thu Nov 15, 2012 10:35 pm

We knew Derrick was a much better lock-down defender than David, and without Derrick’s defense this evening the Pilots would have lost. His job was to stop #3 Morgan, and he did….and he forced him into 5 turnovers. An added bonus….Derrick scored 4 points and had zero turnovers.

Yes, the Pilots played pretty well down the stretch, but not during the last two minutes….I counted 5 offensive rebounds by ISU and at least four possible points the Pilots didn’t score because of missed shots on the front end of one and one free throws.

What happened to Thomas and Riley tonight? The plan was exploit the zone by working the ball to the bigger guys under the rim…..total points for Thomas and Riley…zero, but they did have 9 of the 31 UP rebounds.

Just a bad night for Tanner? I hope so. In the past he’s lost his mojo and confidence when he’s off like he was tonight.

Good minutes for Korey; a very solid evening for Kevin (except for four silly turnovers).

Jake and Oskars….I didn’t notice them, so they must have done pretty well for freshmen. No idea why Bryce Pressley didn’t play.

Bottom line: Nicholas on offense and Rodgers on defense were the obvious difference. The Pilots only scored 21 points in the second half tonight, but the opponent scored 2 points fewer!

by dholcombe Thu Nov 15, 2012 10:42 pm

RipCityPilot wrote:
NoPoNeighbor wrote:They had a Twitter contest to pick a song that would be played, but then the song was never played.

While I usually refrain from talking about game ops since I don't follow it at all. I thought this was strange too, but then I realized that the band was actually playing the winning song.

Anyone have thoughts on us students? I realize that one guy came over to help us out.

That my good sir was the legendary...guy from this board. I'll let him reveal himself to you.

by PurplePrideTrumpet Thu Nov 15, 2012 10:43 pm

RipCityPilot wrote:
NoPoNeighbor wrote:They had a Twitter contest to pick a song that would be played, but then the song was never played.

While I usually refrain from talking about game ops since I don't follow it at all. I thought this was strange too, but then I realized that the band was actually playing the winning song.

Anyone have thoughts on us students? I realize that one guy came over to help us out.

Yeah, we got to play the winner. Yay. Rolling Eyes

We already did Livin On a Prayer before the game so I don't think that one was going to "win."

Sometimes we get to play the timeouts, sometimes it's the sound booth. Game ops writes the script.

The one guy in the student section fit right in. It's like he's spent a lot of time there before. Laughing

I like the number that showed up, and the first few rows actually stood up. They just need to make some noise. I liked the guys in the upper level behind the basket getting into the game.

by DoubleDipper Thu Nov 15, 2012 10:47 pm

RipCityPilot wrote:Anyone have thoughts on us students? I realize that one guy came over to help us out.

"One guy," ha ha, you didn't recognize Stonehouse from his avatar?

Comments:

Positive...the students turned out in good numbers; it was good to see Schoenfeldt standing up front during the game....it helped!

Negative....do the students even recognize the fight song when it's played? In past years we would stand and clap when it was played....I did see a priest attempting to lead the students in this normal behavior, but it didn't seem to catch on.

The game ops were fine for the first game of the season....one can only hope the team improves at a much quicker rate than the game ops. Razz

Um, yea, Dorian was at the game, just not on the bench.

by NoPoNeighbor Thu Nov 15, 2012 10:59 pm

Tweet from Rev earlier today (pre-game): "Thought for game against Idaho St tonight; Key to attacking zone is attacking gaps, turning the ball, and not being hesitant."

The Pilots' offense was EXTREMELY hesitant.

by ShipstadPilot11 Thu Nov 15, 2012 11:35 pm

DoubleDipper wrote:What happened to Thomas and Riley tonight? The plan was exploit the zone by working the ball to the bigger guys under the rim…..total points for Thomas and Riley…zero, but they did have 9 of the 31 UP rebounds.

Let's break that down. Riley and Thomas went 0-2 from the field for 0 points, 9 boards and 7 fouls. NOT the game we wanted from them.

And, yes, Dorian was in the student section. Not a good sign, if you ask me.

by Guest Fri Nov 16, 2012 1:06 am

I'm not sure Gangnam Style gets the proper treatment from a pep band. I heard you guys play it, but it was hard to recognize. You need more synthesizer. And it was suggested that the band leader should be dancing, Gangnam Style.
Portland-Idaho State - Page 2 Psy10

Seems like the game ops crew likes AC/DC?

by **PilotNut** Fri Nov 16, 2012 10:51 am

Pilots Defeat Idaho State in Home Opener

PORTLAND, Ore. --- Junior forward Ryan Nicholas scored a game-high 22 points as the Portland Pilots beat the Idaho State Bengals by a 51-48 margin Thursday night in Portland’s regular season home-opener at the Chiles Center.

The Pilots (1-1) held Idaho State to 40 percent shooting from the field and gained a 31-22 rebounding margin on the night.

Nicholas also grabbed eight rebounds and dished out three assists in 35 minutes of action. Sophomore guard Kevin Bailey added 12 points for the Pilots.

The visiting Bengals (0-2) got off to a good start with a 6-0 run out of the gates and led 27-20 after a three-pointer by Travis Martin. A Bailey three-point play ignited a 10-2 Pilot run to close the half and give Portland a 30-29 halftime lead.

The Pilots would not relinquish the lead in the second half, but could not pull away from the Bengals. A layup by Derrick Rodgers gave Portland its largest lead at 41-34 with 11:55 remaining, but Neveij Walters pulled ISU within one on a jumper at the 6:37 mark.

Junior guard Korey Thieleke came up with a big steal and fast break dunk to put Portland up 49-44 and a Nicholas jumper made it a six point lead with 1:49 remaining. ISU’s Melvin Morgan drilled three-pointer with 10 seconds left to make it a three-point game and after the Pilots missed the front end of a one-and-one, Morgan’s desperation 30-footer at the buzzer missed long.

The Pilots shot 46 percent from the field and made 8-of-11 free throws, while the Bengals made just 2-of-6 from the foul line. Portland gained a 12-3 edge in second chance points and 24-12 margin in points in the paint.

Portland will next travel to Bozeman, Mont. to take on the Montana State Bobcats on Sunday at noon (Pacific). Coverage will begin at 11:30 a.m. on TrueTalk 800 KPDQ-AM with a live audio simulcast on PortlandPilots.com. The Pilots will then return to the Chiles Center to host Portland State on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

by DoubleDipper Fri Nov 16, 2012 11:06 am

Ha ha,I love AC/DC.....hard rock/heavy metal from the '70's is really a good way to go. Keep it up!

Instead of the band leader dancing, how about the Pilots Dance Team putting together a routine?

The Dance Team seems to have avoided the critics to this point, and I'm not going to disparage a group of women who sacrifice time and effort for what I understand is no real compensation......but I don' t have anything positive to say about their “costumes.”

"Off the shelf (not the rack) at Target" I heard one fan describe them. When I compare their costumes with those at other schools, they just do not match-up in any way. Yes, I'm old-school and remember the very appealing uniforms once worn at UP, but that kind of uniform is still worn at many schools to great affect. (I know, I know, we have a dance team, not cheerleaders, but most dance teams have VERY appealing outfits).

BTW, kudos to our new athletic director Scott Leykam....I can already see the early results of his wanting to get to know the fans and include them in his decision making.

Example of an appealing dance team outfit at a Jesuit institution: (and another chance to post this picture Very Happy

)

by Guest Fri Nov 16, 2012 11:17 am

NoPoNeighbor wrote:Tweet from Rev earlier today (pre-game): "Thought for game against Idaho St tonight; Key to attacking zone is attacking gaps, turning the ball, and not being hesitant."

The Pilots' offense was EXTREMELY hesitant.

Rev's tweet after the game concurred:

Thanks to all he came out tonight. Nice win. Did NOT put on clinic on how to attack a good zone but kept poise and defended.

by blacksheep Fri Nov 16, 2012 11:31 am

RipCityPilot wrote:Anyone have thoughts on us students? I realize that one guy came over to help us out.

I'll bite . . .

I thought the turnout was ok. It was really odd and incredibly disappointing that most of the Chiles was standing during the introduction of the starting lineup, but the students weren't. I just couldn't believe they weren't up cheering for their team. The front row was standing the whole time, which is very encouraging, but they weren't doing anything. I was really disappointed!

Then came the second half . . . Not only were the students standing, but now they were chanting. It really does change the energy in the building. The team responded with a little more energy as well.

It's clear that there is a core group of guys that really want to make the student section better. Listen to the advice of Stoney. The guy know how to be a fan! There are seven non-conference home games left before the big opener against the Zags. Use those games to get better with the chants, and to get more participation from your fellow students. It's your job to bring the energy to the Chiles center, keep it up!

by Stonehouse Fri Nov 16, 2012 11:51 am

RipCityPilot wrote:Anyone have thoughts on us students? I realize that one guy came over to help us out.

I'm the guy that came over to help out. Hi! Smile

I will never, ever, ever talk down to students who give a crap and show up to cheer. Loved your enthusiasm and willingness to stick your neck out there while most students were sitting on their hands.

Normally I'm up in the video booth during the game, but the reason I came down in the second half was because I could tell that while the willingness was there, no one was leading any cheers and (like the team's offense, ironically enough) everyone was really hesitant to get things started and make some noise.

So, I decided to head over there and just help get the ball rolling and break the ice. I sincerely hope I didn't tick anyone off - I was genuinely trying to just loosen everyone up and get into the flow of cheering at a basketball game. You guys can definitely do it - I think what would work best is if you designate someone (ideally someone who went to a lot of basketball games in high school) to get the cheers started. I'm definitely not planning on doing that again this season. Smile

Also, major props to the dance team for making noise, getting cheers started, and following along when one was started by the students. They're making an effort, which should absolutely be supported.

by Guest Fri Nov 16, 2012 12:17 pm

Stonehouse wrote:Normally I'm up in the video booth during the game, but the reason I came down in the second half was because I could tell that while the willingness was there, no one was leading any cheers and (like the team's offense, ironically enough) everyone was really hesitant to get things started and make some noise.

Too bad we couldn't invent some new position to do that, perhaps call it a "cheer leader". confused

by **PilotNut** Fri Nov 16, 2012 12:42 pm

Well done, Stonehouse! Also, good job to the students who were standing in front. The first couple rows were great... and you just have to get into the swing of it, have fun, and more will join you.

I absolutely agree with Stoney, saying that someone has to be designated with the responsibility of getting chants started, and at the right time... (i.e. starting the De-Fense! chant at the beginning of the possession, not trying to start it with 10 seconds left on the shot clock.) Again, great progress is being made, and I hope you noticed that the energy in the entire building went up when you guys got going in the 2nd half. Keep it up! It is appreciated and noticed!

up7587 wrote:Too bad we couldn't invent some new position to do that, perhaps call it a "cheer leader".

I agree completely... I hope this gets fixed, and I am quite frankly perplexed as to why it hasnt been already. Obvious problem, obvious solution. I know it costs money, so it is a matter of priorities.... but the cost/benefit analysis here has to show that it would make all the difference.

Kudos to the Dance Team... they are getting involved in the games (not just their routines at time outs & halftime), and seem to now realize that they are the default cheerleaders until that is fixed. It helps... a lot! They are looking well rehearsed for this early in the season, but as stated previously, I hope the uniform situation improves... I assume there is a delay in receiving an order for new ones from the AD?

by pilotram Fri Nov 16, 2012 1:32 pm

DoubleDipper wrote:
a Jesuit institution

That, we are not.

by DoubleDipper Fri Nov 16, 2012 4:16 pm

pilotram wrote:
DoubleDipper wrote:
a Jesuit institution
That, we are not.

As the Christian Brother President of St. Mary's told me recently, "they may not be Catholic, but by and large the Jesuits are not a bad group." Razz

by NoPoNeighbor Fri Nov 16, 2012 4:30 pm

DoubleDipper wrote:Example of an appealing dance team outfit at a Jesuit institution: (and another chance to post this picture )

This photo would be so much less appealing with USF's new Unitus Credit Union-inspired logo on the uniform: Portland-Idaho State - Page 2 3941780_300

Portland-Idaho State - Page 2 Ow1ois4v7eztxl091nq8

by DoubleDipper Fri Nov 16, 2012 4:40 pm

With regard to game ops....the band, dance team, music, entertainment, dance team uniforms, lack of cheerleaders, etc.....don't just talk about it on PN, write an email to Scott Leykam the UP AD. From what he has said to me, and from what I have heard him tell others, he is sincere about making the game experience better for everyone!

leykam@up.edu

Scott took the redeye this morning (just after midnight) to arrive at Penn State just before game time today.....so he may be a little fatigued to look all our emails now.

If you see Scott at one of the games, stop and chat with him....he's a breath of fresh air and open to suggestions.
Portland-Idaho State - Page 2 Leykam10

by pilotram Fri Nov 16, 2012 5:34 pm

Scott, I know you're tired from traveling and really busy right now, but it is VERY important that we get the dance team outfit thing resolved ASAP.
Thanks,
-PN