Pilots @ Kentucky – Saturday @ 9AM PST – ESPN2

by DoubleDipper Thu Dec 06, 2012 11:40 am

Kentucky by the numbers:

Defending National Champion Kentucky is 5-3 coming off their 88-56 win over Samford on Tuesday night.

RealTimeRPI: 2 (UP – 287)

KenPom: 13 (always conservative, Ken is predicting UK by 22)

Sagarin: 14

RealTimeRPI is still predicting UK’s beat down of UP 90-44.

(I watched NCAA Champion UCLA, led by Lew Alcindor, beat a good UP team in Westwood 122-57 in 1966……I know we can do better than that!)

UK is a very YOUNG and exciting team to watch; I have no illusions of UP winning, but UP has a chance to continue to grow and mature as a team. I look forward to Ryan’s leadership in guiding his younger teammates through the shock and awe of playing in Rupp Arena.

Classes for most of the player are now over for the semester, and finals await, but first it’s national TV in Lexington….the boys can study on the plane ride home. study

by DoubleDipper Thu Dec 06, 2012 5:23 pm

The guys arrived in Lexington and are camped out in their hotel just a couple of minutes walk to Rupp Arena....they are pumped!

Saw a video (not worth sharing) from ESPN that mentioned how well Ryan and the Pilots did against UNLV......the commentator was talking "upset special" when describing the UP/UK game, not because the Pilots would win, but because the Pilots could make it a closer game than all the experts are predicting. Rolling Eyes

by DoubleDipper Thu Dec 06, 2012 5:50 pm

This is a HUGE arena with HUGE history and the Pilots are soaking it in before it gets too loud to even hear yourself....
Pilots @ Kentucky – Saturday @ 9AM PST – ESPN2 Rupp10

Pilots @ Kentucky – Saturday @ 9AM PST – ESPN2 Rupp10

The coaches and the players are so stoked it may be difficult to sleep tomorrow night...
Pilots @ Kentucky – Saturday @ 9AM PST – ESPN2 Rupp_210

These are the games the guys can't wait to play....it just doesn't get any better than this in college basketball.
Pilots @ Kentucky – Saturday @ 9AM PST – ESPN2 Rupp_310

Pilots @ Kentucky – Saturday @ 9AM PST – ESPN2 Rupp_310

by **PilotNut** Fri Dec 07, 2012 1:39 pm

On the Web

Pilot Visit Rupp Arena to Face No. 19 Kentucky Saturday Morning
Portland Pilots (3-5) at #19 Kentucky Wildcats (5-3)
Date: Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012
Tip-off: 9:00 a.m. (PST)
Location: Lexington, Ky.
Arena: Rupp Arena (23,000)
TV: ESPN2, WatchESPN.com
Radio: 800 AM

Overall Series: 0-3
At UP: 0-1
At UK: 0-2
At Neutral: 0-0
Last: UK 87, POR 63 (at Kentucky - Nov. 26, 2011)

GAME COVERAGE
• Saturday’s game will be televised live on ESPN2 and WatchESPN with Dave Flemming and Sean Farnham on the call.
• All Portland basketball games will be broadcast live on True Talk 800 AM. Coverage begins Saturday at 8:30 a.m. with a 30-minute pregame show. The audio simulcast and live game statistics will also be available on PortlandPilots.com.

COMING UP
• The Pilots will return to the Chiles Center for a three-game homestand.
• Portland hosts Portland Bible College in the second game of a doubleheader with the UP women on Friday, Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. The Pilot women host Fresno State at 5:15 p.m.
• Portland then hosts Cal State Bakersfield on Dec. 17 and North Florida on Dec. 19 with both games tipping off at 7 p.m.

ABOUT PORTLAND
Freshman G Bryce Pressley missed the UNLV game (concussion) and will not be available on Saturday.

ABOUT NO. 19 KENTUCKY
• Kentucky is the defending NCAA Champion and the all-time NCAA wins leader (2,095).
• The Wildcats (5-3) are ranked No. 19 in the USA Today Coaches Poll and are receiving votes in the Associated Press Top 25.
• Kentucky is coming off of an 88-56 win over Samford behind 18 points from freshman Archie Goodwin and 12 points and 12 rebounds from freshman Willey Cauley-Stein.
• Kentucky has a notable win over Maryland (72-69), while the team’s three losses have come to Duke (75-68), at Notre Dame (64-50) and versus Baylor (64-55).
• Goodwin (16.6) and fellow freshman Alex Poythress (15.5) are leading four players averaging double figures.
• Former Portland and Jesuit HS native Kyle Wiltjer is averaging 10.3 points.
• Head coach John Calipari is in his fifth year with Kentucky and has a 107-17 record at the school.

by Guest Fri Dec 07, 2012 2:12 pm

Overall Series: 0-3
At UP: 0-1
At UK: 0-2
At Neutral: 0-0
Last: UK 87, POR 63 (at Kentucky - Nov. 26, 2011)

I have a hard time calling the game at the Rose Garden as "at UP". At it certainly wasn't a neutral crowd; I never knew so many Wildcat fans were in this area. Surprised

by Woodless! Fri Dec 07, 2012 2:55 pm

Vantucky

by **DaTruRochin** Sat Dec 08, 2012 10:39 am

We cracked 30!! Chalupas for all!!!!

Nerlens Noel v Van Der Mars is oddly reminiscent of the epic battle of Carlos Boozer v Rochin.

EDIT - over 40.... Free tuition reimbursement for all alumni!!!!

by Guest Sat Dec 08, 2012 10:46 am

Sitting in a bar in southern Minnesota watching this. Threw a wadded up piece of paper into a garbage can by the wall and half expected Nerlens Noel to come out of nowhere and swat it.

by Geezaldinho Sat Dec 08, 2012 11:08 am

Take that, Pomeroy..

by **DaTruRochin** Sat Dec 08, 2012 11:18 am

Looking at the comments on ESPN it seems that last second bucket left a few gambling degenerates a little lighter in the wallet....

I guess we now know Ehers is not on the take. Razz

by **PilotNut** Sat Dec 08, 2012 11:38 am

DaTruRochin wrote:Looking at the comments on ESPN it seems that last second bucket left a few gambling degenerates a little lighter in the wallet....

You are a brave man, to read the comments below any article on the interwebs...

A decent first 25 minutes for the Pilots today, but we really need to make shots and take care of the ball. There is good to take away from this game along with lots of lessons for the Pilot Teaching Board.

by DoubleDipper Sat Dec 08, 2012 1:32 pm

PurpleGeezer wrote:Take that, Pomeroy..

Actually, the always conservative Pomeroy picked UK by 23 (only off by 5)....that's a bit better than RealTimeRPI picking UK by 46.

by Geezaldinho Sat Dec 08, 2012 3:33 pm

DoubleDipper wrote:
PurpleGeezer wrote:Take that, Pomeroy..
Actually, the always conservative Pomeroy picked UK by 23 (only off by 5)....that's a bit better than RealTimeRPI picking UK by 46.

Yeah, but it sounded better than "take that, RealTimeRPI"

Which, BTW, had Kentucky winning 89-30 on Monday and by 89-40 last night.

by DoubleDipper Sat Dec 08, 2012 4:52 pm

More positives than negatives this morning. Sure, UK was better athletically, and they won the day on the scoreboard….but the teamwork and heart went to UP. Conflict is a test of will….the Pilots showed that will today, but the margin for error in a game like this is zero!

What we really need is for a couple of young men to step up their game by taking/making their shots and finishing at the basket…..there were just too many opportunities not taken or missed!

All five starters played well today without being intimidated by the setting….the stats may not look very good for some, but they played to the best of their capabilities and played as teammates….that’s really all a coach can ask.

It’s obvious the Pilots have some holes to fill if they are going to achieve any success this year. The suspension (and probable transfer) of Dorian, and the concussion Bryce suffered, is making for just too short a bench that is too short on scoring. Oskars and Jake are freshmen and John and Derrick offer no scoring threat.

After the game, and before flying back to Portland, the guys were all in study hall preparing for finals next week. Proud of them all…..I’m sure this bunch is preparing just as hard for final exams as they did for UK.

Pilots @ Kentucky – Saturday @ 9AM PST – ESPN2 Study_10

Pilots @ Kentucky – Saturday @ 9AM PST – ESPN2 Study_10

by Guest Sat Dec 08, 2012 5:34 pm

I guess some of the bad pass turnovers were a result of trying too hard to make a play. But others were just really poor efforts. Too many UK run-outs and dunks. Mad

Is the Portland Bible College coach tweeting about being the Pilots' next opponent? Razz

by NoPoNeighbor Sun Dec 09, 2012 3:15 am

Not that we had much chance in this game anyhow, but continued inability to make lay-ups and open shots does not bode well for the rest of the season. Announcers talked a lot about that.

Two other great understatements by the announcers:

"Inbounds plays have been a real challenge for the Pilots today."

"Kevin Bailey made the move to the hoop way more difficult than it needed to be."

by mattywizz Sun Dec 09, 2012 5:30 am

Maybe we should have played Georgetown yesterday. Then at least we would have tied...46-46.

by DoubleDipper Sun Dec 09, 2012 12:50 pm

NoPoNeighbor wrote:Two other great understatements by the announcers:

"Inbounds plays have been a real challenge for the Pilots today."

"Kevin Bailey made the move to the hoop way more difficult than it needed to be."

Oh yes, definitely.

I know both are being worked on at every practice.....but we just don't seem to see any results.

One of the great surprises of the women's game against Nevada on Friday night was the success of planned plays; including inbound plays.....it was fun to watch.

Hmmm, maybe the Pilots could have a coaching exchange for a couple of days. Razz

Pilots @ Kentucky – Saturday @ 9AM PST – ESPN2

Pilots @ Kentucky – Saturday @ 9AM PST – ESPN2

Re: Pilots @ Kentucky – Saturday @ 9AM PST – ESPN2

Re: Pilots @ Kentucky – Saturday @ 9AM PST – ESPN2

Re: Pilots @ Kentucky – Saturday @ 9AM PST – ESPN2

Re: Pilots @ Kentucky – Saturday @ 9AM PST – ESPN2

Re: Pilots @ Kentucky – Saturday @ 9AM PST – ESPN2

Re: Pilots @ Kentucky – Saturday @ 9AM PST – ESPN2

Re: Pilots @ Kentucky – Saturday @ 9AM PST – ESPN2

Re: Pilots @ Kentucky – Saturday @ 9AM PST – ESPN2

Re: Pilots @ Kentucky – Saturday @ 9AM PST – ESPN2

Re: Pilots @ Kentucky – Saturday @ 9AM PST – ESPN2

Re: Pilots @ Kentucky – Saturday @ 9AM PST – ESPN2

Re: Pilots @ Kentucky – Saturday @ 9AM PST – ESPN2

Re: Pilots @ Kentucky – Saturday @ 9AM PST – ESPN2

Re: Pilots @ Kentucky – Saturday @ 9AM PST – ESPN2

Re: Pilots @ Kentucky – Saturday @ 9AM PST – ESPN2

Re: Pilots @ Kentucky – Saturday @ 9AM PST – ESPN2

Re: Pilots @ Kentucky – Saturday @ 9AM PST – ESPN2