Current state of the program

The reveno figure looks a lot better when you consider how bare the cupboard was when he came. He came too late to recruit for his first year.

Stonehouse wrote:For what it's worth, it might not be a bad idea to remember that even when we had Pooh on the team, we never had a winning record or finished anywhere near the top of the WCC.

A bit of historical context is always helpful. Here is UP's record over the past 30 years. There have been a grand total of six winning seasons, all of them under either Chavez or Reveno (i.e. the last 18 years).

Avina
82-83: 10-18, 4-8
83-84: 11-17, 2-10
84-85: 14-14, 3-9
85-86: 13-15, 4-10
86-87: 14-14, 6-8
Total: 62-78 (44%), 19-45 (30%)

Steele
87-88: 6-22, 1-13
88-89: 2-26, 2-12
89-90: 11-17, 7-7
90-91: 5-23, 3-11
91-92: 10-18, 3-11
92-93: 9-18, 3-11
93-94: 13-17, 6-8
Total: 56-141 (28%), 25-73 (26%)

Chavez
94-95: 21-8, 10-4
95-96: 19-11, 7-7
96-97: 9-18, 4-10
97-98: 14-13, 7-7
98-99: 9-18, 3-11
99-00: 10-18, 4-10
00-01: 11-17, 4-10
Total: 93-103 (47%), 39-59 (40%)

Holton
01-02: 6-24, 2-12
02-03: 11-17, 4-10
03-04: 11-17, 5-9
04-05: 15-15, 4-10
05-06: 11-18, 5-9
Total: 54-91 (37%), 20-50 (29%)

Reveno
06-07: 9-23, 4-10
07-08: 9-23, 3-11
08-09: 19-13, 9-5
09-10: 21-11, 10-4
10-11: 20-12, 7-7
11-12: 7-24, 3-13
12-13*: 8-12, 1-4
Total: 93-118 (44%), 37-54 (41%)

If nothing else, I think this shows there are historical challenges to simply winning, let alone consistently winning. I'm not making excuses at all, but I do think it's important to remember the history.

How depressing! It's amazing there are any of us long term Pilot fans left. During this same period, there were only 3 winning conference records (Chavez's first year and 2 under Rev).

That is depressing! Almost makes my heart sink as much as when we line up in a 1-4 high in the half court. We have a real tough time executing anything out of that set.

I'm not feeling too good about our chances against San Francisco right now--It's been hard to recover from Saturday's abuse--but I will be cheering hard nonetheless.

Go Pilots!

I agree on the historical context, Stonehouse... it was the long-term lack of success in the program that inspired this thread. This challenge is bigger than any 1 recruiting class or coaching staff. IMO, the the program is mired in a deep culture of apathy. Changing culture is very difficult, and requires great effort by those wanting to create change. Obviously, fund raising will be very important, as investing and change requires money. Fortunately, our AD comes with a strong resume of raising money.

Changing the culture needs to not only happen in the Athletic Department and Fr. Beauchamp's office, but also everywhere else. A few examples come to mind off the top of my head, from the places that have great impact & visibility to students, alums, fans, etc., and are noted below. As such a small school/athletic department, a change in the culture will require everyone's buy in, along with a unified message, goal & culture!

Portland magazine, Office of Marketing & Communications: Has anyone from the Athletic Department asked the Portland magazine to do an in-depth article on Rev & the program?! Think of everyone that gets that magazine--that is who should be in the seats, joining the Pilot Club, buying UP gear, and watching on TV! Why the magazine has not done this, after 7 years of Rev, absolutely boggles my mind. Rev is such an entertaining guy--I have to think the article writes itself. They could also tell Korey's story, highlight hoops alums, etc.

ASUP/Student Government: Has the Athletic Department asked for ASUP's support in building a new basketball culture? I am not sure what exactly can be done here, but maybe using some ASUP funds to market the program on campus would be a start. Their feedback on what they think works/doesn't work would seem helpful.

Office of Alumni Relations: The Alumni Office has done some great things in support of home & road games; but has the Athletic Dept. reached out to them, and worked with them, to "Sell the program", describe the types of support it needs and ask for help in "re-branding" or changing the culture of the program?

Bookstore: Don't even get me started on the Bookstore and the current & past lack of options for marketable Pilot gear.

Office of Development: As a long-time member of the Pilot Club I have never even been asked to step up my donation in support of the Basketball program. The Pilot Club consists of the Athletic Department's closest allies (and donors!) and there has been no apparent change in attitude towards the program in the 16+ years I have been a donor. Why havent we been "sold" on trying to invest, change and build the program? This is a key place to start changing the culture.

What else?

I apologize, as I am going off on a tangent here... I was just thinking about marketing and branding, and was thinking about the awesome Rise TV ad featuring Korey.

How about a similar Rise ad featuring Reveno? He could be awesome... and talk about a guy who has to sell the University on a daily basis!

Come to think of it, ads featuring Garret Smith and Rob Conner would be great, too...

[quote="oldtimer"]

newpilotfan wrote:

Pretty mean thing to say overall about all those players

Oldtimer- Sorry that you think I'm being mean but I'm pretty sure that there wasn't a bidding war between us and other WCC schools to get any of the guys I mentioned. Whether its a nice thing to say or not, we just aren't recruiting guys that can effectively compete, day in and day out, at this level. And jumping on people that are stating the obvious helps to muffle the voices of anyone calling for change.

Perhaps we should end this thread and just go back to talking about pasta and Pliny and keep waiting for this thing to get turned around. Come to think of it... With the gym empty my kids and I are assured of getting incredible seats when we attend games. And there's never a line to use the bathroom!! What am I complaining about again? Things are just great at the Chiles Center.

[/quote]

Oldtimer- Sorry that you think I'm being mean but I'm pretty sure that there wasn't a bidding war between us and other WCC schools to get any of the guys I mentioned. Whether its a nice thing to say or not, we just aren't recruiting guys that can effectively compete, day in and day out, at this level. And jumping on people that are stating the obvious helps to muffle the voices of anyone calling for change.

Perhaps we should end this thread and just go back to talking about pasta and Pliny and keep waiting for this thing to get turned around. Come to think of it... With the gym empty my kids and I are assured of getting incredible seats when we attend games. And there's never a line to use the bathroom!! What am I complaining about again? Things are just great at the Chiles Center. [/quote]

What are you, 8?

FYI, This post didn't help a thing.

I was not referring to Reveno. The culture I was referring to is widespread among those who "should" care more about the program, but don't. Obviously, that does not include most of us on here, either... But for the University (the U, students, alumni, neighbors, etc.) to go decades with minimal "on court" success, and not be motivated enough to fix it... that is the apathy. As I said, this is bigger than any 1 recruiting class or head coach. I hope that it is starting to change now.

UP basketball isn't even in the collective consciousness of the city... Heck, if you were to ask an average sports fan in Portland to name the conference we play in, I dont think they could name it. A significant number would still confuse us with PSU (this happens to me all the time). Another significant number would question whether we are Division I (this also happens--way too frequently)...

PilotNut wrote:
Portland magazine, Office of Marketing & Communications: Has anyone from the Athletic Department asked the Portland magazine to do an in-depth article on Rev & the program?! Think of everyone that gets that magazine--that is who should be in the seats, joining the Pilot Club, buying UP gear, and watching on TV! Why the magazine has not done this, after 7 years of Rev, absolutely boggles my mind. Rev is such an entertaining guy--I have to think the article writes itself. They could also tell Korey's story, highlight hoops alums, etc.

Have they ever done anything like that, ever? IMHO, that magazine is part of the problem. Most of the material in those pages relates to the goings-on at the university tangentially at best. 90% of it is fluff stories that have no bearing whatsoever on the school. UP is a Catholic school, but why must the alumni magazine read like a Catholic culture magazine? There are other publications available for such topics. I would like a fair and honest look at what's going on at UP when I read those pages. The little that is written about the school is so sugar coated, I don't recognize the place they are talking about.
I wish they had someone to write that article and tell the truth. Ask the AD if MBB is a priority, why we have had a historically losing program, and what will be done about it. Ask Rev the same stuff. Keep it candid and to the point. Use photos of Rev and staff doing what we hired them to do- their jobs. Not some staged pic of a coach holding a basketball at some photo studio in the basement of Waldschmidt.

PilotNut wrote:From this Trib article, Rev stated, in regards to the open scholarship position: "And we have one scholarship open. We’re looking for someone in regard to ballhandling skills." So, it would appear that we will be getting another much needed back court player... The problem with that is it means we wouldnt be able to bring in any 3's, 4's or 5's until the fall of 2014, when we will have lost Thieleke & Nicholas... that leaves us very thin & young at the 3 & 4 spot in 2014-15. Then, we get really thin down low in 2015-16...

I had some big reply typed out agreeing with you and NoPoNeighbor about the use of the final scholarship spot (and vehemently disagreeing with NPN about his Ryan Nicholas assessment, but that's besides the point).

But a thought - perhaps the coaching staff already has a line on a ready-to-step-in juco PF for the class of 2014, and that's what makes them confident that they can spend the last scholarship on filling an immediate need in the backcourt for next season. I just can't see the coaching staff being willing to take a gamble on bringing in an eighth guard for next season with such lack of depth at the 4 spot looming in 19 short months without them having a pretty solid idea about how they're going to address that.

That would only make four scholarships in the Ehlers/Pressley/Reinfelds class so it wouldn't knock that balance out of whack too badly. Or heck, maybe there's a juco gold mine coming....can step in and start, and redshirted a year so has three seasons remaining.

I hope everyone had a chance to listen to Rev and Scott Leykam on Chad Doing's show on 750 AM today... a great interview. They address some points that have been brought up in this thread. The interview re-assured me that we do in fact have a good coach in place that we can build a program around. They did not specifically address players or recruiting, but a good extensive review of the program and the conference. I encourage everyone to listen, and hopefully this link will continue work over time:

Podcast Link

[quote="oldtimer"]

newpilotfan wrote:There isn't a single program in the WCC that would have Korey, Ryan, David or John on their roster. And three of those guys are in our starting line up.

Pretty mean thing to say overall about all those players but lets take a look at Ryan? You and NoPo should go back to watching games on the pitch where you belong because its obvious that you dont know much about the game of basketball.
I could be from the old school but any player on ANY team averaging a double double for the season, and games (as an example) vs UNLV (14pts 19rbs), Kentucky (15pts and 13rbs), I am pretty sure not only would be play for any team in the WCC he would start for all of them minus Gonzaga. There is only one other WCC player currently averaging a double double for the year. What do I know except by the time Nicholas is done, on his current scoring and rebounding rate he will be in the 1000 point club, and has a chance to be the all time rebounding leader at the U of P. So sorry folks, I dont buy into your arguement.
I suspect the above mentioned posters are what we get as a sampling when the season(s) are not going as well as planned. I had recommended in a previous post that we try to look at the positives and now it seems that some have resulted to insulting the players we do have. Keep it classy guys.

Ok, a few things here:

* I think it's a bit of an overstatement to say that Ryan Nicholas would not be on any other roster in the conference. He certainly would make several teams, and might even start on a few of the lower tier teams.

* At the same time, I also think it's a big overstatement to say that he would start on every team except Gonzaga. He would not start for St Marys or BYU, IMO, and probably a few other teams. The double/double thing needs to be put in to context. A lot of these stats are in situations where the game has already been decided and against sub-level competition in the case of the pre-season. Kentucky? Again, garbage time for the most part. Also, NIcholas has a hug role on a, well frankly, a bad team (sorry if I hurt anyone's feelings - it hurts me to say it). Stats do not always tell the complete story, and there is no substitute for the eye test. Nicholas is a solid player who would be a contributor to varying extents on the majority of WCC teams, but would likely start for only a few to four at the most.

* I don't see how his comment was "mean". It was a statement of opinion and it was honest. It may be hard to hear, but he said what he thought, and I respect that.

* I have never found the "positive" vs. "negative" extremes helpful for discussion purposes in open forums. I think a better way to look at it is "what do I believe to be the truth"? What is the basis for that belief or statement - can you provide supportive evidence? Whatever the conclusion after the evidence has been evaluated in an honest and rational way, let the chips fall where they may. Sometimes "the truth" is varying degrees of positive, neutral, or negative along a continuum. Do we really want an overly positive or negative spin when it is a big deviation from a reasonable person's "truth". Obviously each member brings their own subjectivity to the table, and is going to have a somewhat different version of "the truth". But more often than not, if there's enough input, "the truth" usually converges within a reasonable range.

* Given the cold and harsh facts that the won/loss record clearly shows since the Steele era, it's no wonder that the rational conclusion is not going to be overly "positive".

* Yes, keep it classy, but at the same time, this isn't a bunch of parents talking about their little league kids. This is D1 basketball.

PilotNut wrote:I hope everyone had a chance to listen to Rev and Scott Leykam on Chad Doing's show on 750 AM today... a great interview. They address some points that have been brought up in this thread. The interview re-assured me that we do in fact have a good coach in place that we can build a program around....

As I read/listen to the frustrations spill out on this thread, I fall back on my various conversations with Scott, Rev, and even Chad (who was once my personal trainer), for a fact-check of what is REALLY happening behind the scenes at UP to make it a place recruits will choose. I hope many listen to this interview to get a sense of what is being done at UP to attract, retain, and mature student athletes, and yes, to make them winners too.

Sure, the questions Chad asked might have included some "softballs," but this wasn't meant to be an old version of "60 minutes," but a chance for the general public to know what is happening on the Bluff in terms of the "front porch" to the University…..the basketball program.

Frankly, I couldn’t be more pleased with the strides UP has made to bring good people and a winning team to the Bluff…..but like so many others (including Coach Reveno), I’m frustrated the Pilots are not a top tier team in the WCC, because I cannot think of anything more that can be done except finally get the right mix of student/athletes on campus at the right time.

It also troubles me that Tim and Dorian left their teammates over the last two season, as both are wonderful guys, and Tim is a very good student…but as Rev alludes to in the interview, there were close to 400 transfers in D-1 (348 teams) just this last year…..transferring is now is the norm.

The framework to attract, coach, and turnout solid citizens and successful basketball players and teams is in place at UP….so the pressure has to be on all to get it done….soon!
.

One thing we shouldn't forget in all of this is that UP has a new AD this year. You can bet he's taking a long, hard look at every program, particularly the high profile ones. I've yet to meet an athletic director who will hesitate to go out and get his own hire when a coach from the previous regime is not seeing success. We may think the program is slowly but surely heading in the right direction under Rev, but Scott Leykam may not have the same amount of patience.

1st I'm mean. Now I'm an 8yo. If you disagree with my assessment of the program then pose a counter argument but resorting to name calling is what's not helpful.

If the talent level of the players and the competency of the coaching staff is off limits when evaluating the state of the program then this thread is pointless. The most important element to winning at the D1 level is talent. And whether we want to admit it or not, we don't have that caliber of talent at every position. And I know Rev is a great guy and super smart and has a lot of energy but he's ultimately responsible for evaluating HS talent and convincing that talent to come to UP. And he decided that in our battle against St Mary's, BYU, Gonzaga, etc. that he would put David Carr, David Ahern and Derek Rogers up against Delladova, Pangos and Carlino. Santa Clara, San Diego and LMU decided on Foster, Dee and Ireland. Try doing this same side-by-side comparison with our bigs.

The same way we expect our guys to go out and fight for every basket and rebound, we expect our coach to go out and fight for the best talent available. That we're getting springtime commitments from kids that no other program in our conference are going after means we're settling not fighting tooth and nail for the best players. This isn't a knock on anyone's character. Rev does a great job of recruiting wonderful kids. But can (or even should) they play at this level? The stat sheet says no.

newpilotfan wrote:1st I'm mean. Now I'm an 8yo. If you disagree with my assessment of the program then pose a counter argument but resorting to name calling is what's not helpful.

If the talent level of the players and the competency of the coaching staff is off limits when evaluating the state of the program then this thread is pointless. The most important element to winning at the D1 level is talent. And whether we want to admit it or not, we don't have that caliber of talent at every position. And I know Rev is a great guy and super smart and has a lot of energy but he's ultimately responsible for evaluating HS talent and convincing that talent to come to UP. And he decided that in our battle against St Mary's, BYU, Gonzaga, etc. that he would put David Carr, David Ahern and Derek Rogers up against Delladova, Pangos and Carlino. Santa Clara, San Diego and LMU decided on Foster, Dee and Ireland. Try doing this same side-by-side comparison with our bigs.

The same way we expect our guys to go out and fight for every basket and rebound, we expect our coach to go out and fight for the best talent available. That we're getting springtime commitments from kids that no other program in our conference are going after means we're settling not fighting tooth and nail for the best players. This isn't a knock on anyone's character. Rev does a great job of recruiting wonderful kids. But can (or even should) they play at this level? The stat sheet says no.

I think the point of this thread is that it is not just a head coach along that gets top notch athletes to come to UP. A coach needs to have the whole school behind him. He needs the recruiting budget, the facilities, the atmosphere at Chiles Center (that's where we can all take a good long look in the mirror), the games against top notch teams (how about we figure out a way to play Oregon and Oregon State once in a while) . . . The list goes on. I feel like we have the right coach in place, but we have been lacking the the rest of it. We're moving in the right direction, but should be moving much faster.

newpilotfan- you wrote "There isn't a single program in the WCC that would have Korey, Ryan, David or John on their roster"
I said your comment was "mean" because in my mind you were calling out specific players in a negative context. The first thing that came to my mind was "I hope those guys dont read that" followed by "I hope recruits dont see these comments".
In my humble opinion if one wants to critique a player for not working hard, getting into trouble, not taking care of his business in the classroom, doing drugs or drinking every night then thats fair discussion. I dont think any of the players you mentioned fit into any of those catagories.
If we want to talk about the caliber of player at UP that begins and ends with the staff. Can we really put blame on a player for accepting his/her scholarship to play D1 sports? If you dont like the player development then that too falls on the staff. Have you talked to the AD about your concerns? That seems a much better way to handle things than to call out players like this on an open forum.
I started out using Nicholas as my example and will finish the same way. The same could be done with Kevin who also puts up some great numbers.

You can argue that Nicholas couldnt play for any other team in the league, thats your right but it doesnt make it accurate. I wish there were more players like him out there, they are fun to watch, leave it on the court and compete like crazy. Whats not to like about a player that takes your charges, rebounds his ass off, is on the floor more than not, and produces stats? You dont like a guy who averages 13 and 10? (rounding up). Did you not like Sikma either?
Think (like GH) that the stats are generated from soft OOC games? Late junk time? Heres a sampling courtesy of the UP website on some bigger named schools that UP has played this year and Nicholas' stats in those games.
Ohio 16pts 11rbs
WSU 17pts 9rbs
Kentucky 15pts 13rbs
Colorado St 15pts 5rbs
And more recently (UP's only conference win) LMU 17pts 13rbs

Looking more closely at the same game log I found that Nicholas has only scored in single digits in 7 games this year. He has seven games with double digit rebounds and another 10 games with either 8 or 9 rebounds. He has 6 double doubles for the year and was one rebound away from making that 11 for the season.
Not enough stats for you? Here are a few from last year when he was a sophomore.
UC Santa Barbara 16pts 8rbs
St Marys 16pts 5 rbs
Gonzaga 13pts 10rbs
BYU 19pts 14rbs
Santa Clara(pick one of the three games they were all about the same 24pts 11rbs
Notice for the most part these are games against top shelf competition, not Portland Bible or Idaho State type teams.

What I am trying to say here is that Im guessing there are a lot of opposing coaches that wish they had a player like that on their squad.

I for one am done with this conversation regarding the players at UP. Like them or not its who they have and I will continue to root and cheer for their efforts. Despite how hard some of us might take the losses dont think for one minute that ANY of those players dont take it 100x more seriously that we do. They live this 11 month a year, 12 hours a day, 6 days a week.

Call out the coaches? Fine, its their job. Call out the system? Fine (our offensive system needs some work). Fine. Call out the administration? Fine.
Calling out specific players who do nothing but fight, compete and work their tails off for our viewing pleasure? Not fine.

newpilotfan wrote:1st I'm mean. Now I'm an 8yo. If you disagree with my assessment of the program then pose a counter argument but resorting to name calling is what's not helpful.

If the talent level of the players and the competency of the coaching staff is off limits when evaluating the state of the program then this thread is pointless. The most important element to winning at the D1 level is talent. And whether we want to admit it or not, we don't have that caliber of talent at every position. And I know Rev is a great guy and super smart and has a lot of energy but he's ultimately responsible for evaluating HS talent and convincing that talent to come to UP. And he decided that in our battle against St Mary's, BYU, Gonzaga, etc. that he would put David Carr, David Ahern and Derek Rogers up against Delladova, Pangos and Carlino. Santa Clara, San Diego and LMU decided on Foster, Dee and Ireland. Try doing this same side-by-side comparison with our bigs.

The same way we expect our guys to go out and fight for every basket and rebound, we expect our coach to go out and fight for the best talent available. That we're getting springtime commitments from kids that no other program in our conference are going after means we're settling not fighting tooth and nail for the best players. This isn't a knock on anyone's character. Rev does a great job of recruiting wonderful kids. But can (or even should) they play at this level? The stat sheet says no.

Newpilotfan,

I thought I detected a high level of sarcasm in your last statement. I thought that rather than be passive aggressive, I'd just call you out. Sorry! To be honest, I don't disagree with your assessment of the talent--to a degree. What I disagree with is the approach.

I don't think that complaining about everything about the program is an answer here. I do think that constructive suggestions are key, and I have really enjoyed reading some of the feedback posted by everyone.

I think that you'd agree that the central theme of your posts is that we need to assess our recruiting strategy. Am I right? So what constructive suggestions can we offer as passionate fans interested in building a winning program?

Are we targeting better athletes and just not getting them? Or are we just setting the recruiting bar too low? An honest question, I don't follow recruiting that closely. Is Rev a poor recruiter, or is it something about the school/program that high school players don't like? I fee like I would run through a brick wall for Rev if he was coaching me, but I wonder what he's like on the recruiting trail.

pilotram wrote:Are we targeting better athletes and just not getting them? Or are we just setting the recruiting bar too low? An honest question, I don't follow recruiting that closely. Is Rev a poor recruiter, or is it something about the school/program that high school players don't like? I fee like I would run through a brick wall for Rev if he was coaching me, but I wonder what he's like on the recruiting trail.

A very good question... and key to explaining our recruiting status. Rev, are you out there lurking and care to comment?

oldtimer wrote:
If we want to talk about the caliber of player at UP that begins and ends with the staff. Can we really put blame on a player for accepting his/her scholarship to play D1 sports? If you dont like the player development then that too falls on the staff. Have you talked to the AD about your concerns? That seems a much better way to handle things than to call out players like this on an open forum...

I for one am done with this conversation regarding the players at UP. Like them or not its who they have and I will continue to root and cheer for their efforts. Despite how hard some of us might take the losses dont think for one minute that ANY of those players dont take it 100x more seriously that we do. They live this 11 month a year, 12 hours a day, 6 days a week.

Call out the coaches? Fine, its their job. Call out the system? Fine (our offensive system needs some work). Fine. Call out the administration? Fine.
Calling out specific players who do nothing but fight, compete and work their tails off for our viewing pleasure? Not fine.

You said it, oldtimer! That sums up my feelings exactly!

Recruiting

Changing the topic (much needed) and focusing on recruiting here are some thoughts as I muddle through the day.

Hypothetically if it were my job as recruiting coordinator these are a couple things that would be on the top of the priority list.
If you look back at Gonzaga as a benchmark here is how they evolved. In 1999 their roster (and key players) were chock full of PNW athletes. They were blue collar, hard nosed, hard working, no frills players (remind you of anyone?). Calvary, Stepp, Dickau, Nilson, Spink etc. The point is they recruited hard in their own backyard and got players to stay home. They also won games and created a foundation for their recruiting.

UP needs to do the same thing. D1 rosters are littered with players that come out of the Portland area, just to name a couple that come to mind are Stephen Madison at Idaho (leading scorer or one of the top two), Holt at St Marys, and the Hermanson kid from Lake Oswego that is committed to St Marys. In fact doesnt St Marys have three kids on their roster from Portland?
Reveno has to protect his back yard. Period.

The second area of focus should be the greater Seattle area. There is no reason that Sikma, Stohl etc can not be a great example of players that have attended UP from that area. There are a lot of D1 players in Seattle and there is absolutely no reason for them to venture much further south on I5 than Portland. Easy for family to get to, easy for kids to get home.

Like St Marys has done with Australia, Gonzaga with Canada, and Portland is doing with the Academy that has brought Thomas and Oskars here, that is also a key in recruiting. Rev needs to foster those relationships he has with foreign coaches and those that has allowed 11 or UP's past players to sign pro contracts.

The other phase where I think UP is lacking in is bringing in one or two select JC transfers. I am not saying make a living like PSU does at it but it also doesnt hurt to have one maybe two guys that can step in as 20 year olds and contribute right away. I know there are a lot of Junior College tournaments held in Portland which have some talent. Does Rev even attend these? Does he develop a relationship with any of the JC coaches? I dont know but if UP could get another TJ Campbell it wouldnt hurt.

oldtimer wrote:Recruiting
D1 rosters are littered with players that come out of the Portland area, just to name a couple that come to mind are Stephen Madison at Idaho (leading scorer or one of the top two), Holt at St Marys, and the Hermanson kid from Lake Oswego that is committed to St Marys. In fact doesnt St Marys have three kids on their roster from Portland?
Reveno has to protect his back yard. Period.

This. I'm not sure if UP just isn't trying hard enough to recruit local talent or is just swinging and missing, but if UP is not even on the radar screens of the top local kids, that is very bad thing.