Re: Current state of the program

by Geezaldinho Mon Feb 11, 2013 10:20 am

Yeah, or maybe that his teams won 19, 21, and 20 games in a season. The only other coaches that have done that for UP coach soccer.

by goldhelmet Mon Feb 11, 2013 11:25 am

...and as i pointed out, Chavez had back to back 20 win seasons AND actually won something in the post season - a WCC title. The last BASKETBALL coach to do that before him was before JFK was president.

by goldhelmet Mon Feb 11, 2013 11:34 am

NoPoNeighbor wrote:
goldhelmet wrote:Why do you think it is that given those numbers, Rev seems to have so much support from the fan base than his three predecessors?
Maybe because he is so good at Twittering? People feel like they know him.

That is an excellent point - social media. I think that's a big part of the subjective warm fuzziness. That, and he's a really nice guy and approachable. Chavez didn't always put out that vibe. Steele and Holton did, but their records were worse.

by Geezaldinho Mon Feb 11, 2013 12:29 pm

goldhelmet wrote: ...and as i pointed out, Chavez had back to back 20 win seasons AND actually won something in the post season - a WCC title. The last BASKETBALL coach to do that before him was before JFK was president.

The official UP records show only one 20 game win season, 1994-1995. Chavez went 21-8 that year.

And according to UP, no other teams in their history won 20 games. I'll let you verify that.

The next season Rob won 19 games. Each year was worse than his previous. Not so with Rev. He actually fought the program up for his first 4 years.

by Guest Mon Feb 11, 2013 2:54 pm

That is my sense, too. The program showed improvement over 5 years, and had 3 years good enough that we worried about losing our coach to Stanford or another "better" job. Now we have had 2 bad years. Defections and injuries have played a part, and some players have not developed as well as I am sure the coaches anticipated. But I see no reason that this staff can not find players and coach them back to the levels the program was recently at, at least.

by writerpilot Mon Feb 11, 2013 2:55 pm

Reveno is the only UP coach at the NCAA level to have consecutive 20-win seasons.

Chavez went 21 wins, 19 wins his first two years.

The only other UP coach besides Reveno to have consecutive 20 win seasons is Mush Torson, who won 22 games in 48-49, 22 in 49-50, 23 in 50-51 and 24 in 51-52. UP was an NAIA school at the time and advanced to the NAIA tourney in each of those years.

by wrv Mon Feb 11, 2013 3:55 pm

Assuming Mush is no longer available, I think giving Reveno the opportunity to bring in fresh bodies who, let's hope, are talented enough to perform at the D1 level, is the course we should maintain. This is not because Reveno is the sentimental favorite, though he is that, but because I think the truth is the program has a better chance of turning around if he is at the helm than if some newby comes in and starts the whole thing over, as we have done periodically. Having said that, my opinion is swayed by facts, and another year of dreadful basketball may change it.

Go Pilots.

by Geezaldinho Mon Feb 11, 2013 3:58 pm

I'm pretty sure you would have to have a seance to talk Mush into coming back.

But yeah, the rope is pretty short. Let's hope some help on the perimeter solves the problems.

by DoubleDipper Mon Feb 11, 2013 5:42 pm

Just a comment about Rob Chavez (nothing to do with the current state of the program)…..he’s a terrific guy and a very, very good basketball coach.

Two things that affected his appeal to fans:

1. His twin daughters were born prematurely not long before the beginning of his tenure at UP, and Rob was very involved in their care and upbringing, which made him reluctant to spend lot of his time on the road recruiting or hob knobbing with fans.

2. Rob is deaf in one ear, and often seemed rather insular or disinterested because, frankly, he couldn't hear you.

Rob had an unbelievable record at Chemeketa CC (136-24 in five seasons), but the pressure of D-1 was not something he enjoyed.....he left coaching when he left UP.

by DoubleDipper Mon Feb 11, 2013 6:01 pm

PurpleGeezer wrote:I'm pretty sure you would have to have a séance to talk Mush into coming back.

I didn't know Mush, but I did know Al Negratti, and he was a hell-of-a recruiter.....but the rules (and entry standards) were a lot different in those days.

Al had a great mix of recent high school graduates (like me), JC transfers, and some "older guys" too. Some of Al's best players were mature and tough because they came out of American ghettos like East St. Louis, Illinois and also out of the military.

Al didn't have an especially good record as a coach, but he sure brought a great group of players together.

I'm still in contact with a few of the survivors of that era....almost 50 years later. They taught me a lot, and some of what they taught me was about basketball. Cool

by Geezaldinho Mon Feb 11, 2013 6:13 pm

DoubleDipper wrote:

I'm still in contact with a few of the survivors of that era....almost 50 years later. They taught me a lot, and some of what they taught me was about basketball.

Next time you see them have them show you how to throw.

The women's soccer team got T-shirts closer to me than you did.

That goes for your buddy Shadrach, too.

by DoubleDipper Mon Feb 11, 2013 7:01 pm

PurpleGeezer wrote:Next time you see them have them show you how to throw.

The women's soccer team got T-shirts closer to me than you did.

That goes for your buddy Shadrach, too.

Yea, sort of embarrassing, but you will note I had to do the tossing underhand due to the infirmities of age (and surgeries). But I was told I threw more shirts than any of my predecessors…..so I guess it was quantity over quality.

On the positive side, I was able to make it to row 9 on both sides of the Chiles Center and directly to my targets, two ladies who had told me beforehand they'd never been able to catch the purple prize.

How about that pop-up I threw to the aisle next to you that was declared an "out" by virtue of the infield fly rule, but was still wrestled t over by three 10-year olds....pure fun!

I enjoyed the opportunity to get back on the court, one more time.

by goldhelmet Mon Feb 11, 2013 7:04 pm

writerpilot wrote:Reveno is the only UP coach at the NCAA level to have consecutive 20-win seasons.

Chavez went 21 wins, 19 wins his first two years.

The only other UP coach besides Reveno to have consecutive 20 win seasons is Mush Torson, who won 22 games in 48-49, 22 in 49-50, 23 in 50-51 and 24 in 51-52. UP was an NAIA school at the time and advanced to the NAIA tourney in each of those years.

I hardly think that being one win short of 20 has much to do with why Rev seems to be more popular - especially considering Chavez won a WCC title. My point was that I think there is some subjective bias in the eye of the beholder. Personality certainly has something to do with it - it's not just strictly by the numbers.

I'm not saying Chavez was a better coach or his progress didn't deteriorate - it very clearly did. I'm just using him as a comparative example, mainly because he's closer to Reveno's overall success than Steele or Holton were.

I just think it's interesting how fans insist that they are completely objective, but ultimately all fans have some personal bias that affects their judgement (including me).

by Guest Mon Feb 11, 2013 7:29 pm

I miss Tim Douglas...

by wrv Mon Feb 11, 2013 7:31 pm

Did Mush pronounce his name like the call of a dog sledder, or did it rhyme with the ever present Nike swoosh? I assume this is a nickname and that he earned it so I suppose it is the call of the dog sledder.

by Geezaldinho Mon Feb 11, 2013 7:41 pm

wrv wrote:Did Mush pronounce his name like the call of a dog sledder, or did it rhyme with the ever present Nike swoosh? I assume this is a nickname and that he earned it so I suppose it is the call of the dog sledder.

We obviously have a generational issue here.

Mushmouth (" Mush") was a character in the comic strip " Moon Mullins"

Current state of the program - Page 11 2e8bb7d35872306bdd23698e370d68b4

Current state of the program - Page 11 2e8bb7d35872306bdd23698e370d68b4

Current state of the program - Page 11 B8dd60cba08dd77ce9b4ba602b8d4e29

by wrv Mon Feb 11, 2013 7:51 pm

And thus does knowledge pass from generations . . .thank you.

by DoubleDipper Mon Feb 11, 2013 8:07 pm

I met Mush for the first time in 1962, but saw him at virtually every UP game over the next four years. Regardless of his win/loss record, Mush Torson brought something to UP basketball that no other coach will ever be able to surpass (while in the Chiles Center)….fans.

Part of tonight’s history lesson; this from his Oregon Sports Hall of fame biography:

James “Mush” Torson Among the coaches who’ve experienced success at both the prep and collegiate level, James “Mush” Torson has one of the most diverse resumes and stands out as having brought the University of Portland basketball program to national prominence.

Born in 1907, Torson played baseball and basketball at Oregon Agricultural College (Oregon State) under legendary coaches Ralph Coleman in baseball and Stats Gill in basketball. He compiled a .444 batting average in baseball. After three seasons in each sport, he graduated in 1931. Shortly thereafter, he became a teacher and coach at Corvallis High.

In 1932, Torson took over as head coach in football, basketball and baseball. The football team experienced moderate success with a 15-15-2 record in five seasons, but the basketball team won the large-school state title in 1936. Oregon did not have a state baseball championship until 1946.

Torson moved to Portland’s Grant High School during World War II, and led the school’s football team to the state title in 1945. Following the war, the University of Portland hired him as its basketball coach. He also coached baseball for three seasons, 1947-49.

Under Torson, the Pilots experienced significant success and helped their supporters overcome the disappointment that followed the school dropping its football program in 1950.

In eight seasons, the Pilots won 20 games four times and qualified for the NAIA playoffs (NAIB prior to 1953) six times. In 1952, Portland reached the 16-team national tournament, played in Kansas City, Mo., and played into the semifinals, where they lost to Murray State, 58-57.

Torson stepped down as coach following the 1953-54 season having compiled a 144-110 record. In addition to the wins, the Pilots played to large crowds, which caused home games to move to everywhere from the Portland Ice Arena to the Portland Armory to the Pacific-International Pavilion at Delta Park. The 1951-52 team is credited with attracting an average of more than 7,000 fans for its 18 home games.

Torson and his wife Velma raised three sons, including one, Jim, who played basketball at Portland under his father.

James Torson died of heart problems in 1986. He was inducted to the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1987.

by Guest Mon Feb 11, 2013 8:07 pm

I think there is a feeling Chavez achieved his success with Steele's players and OSU transfers, and never did with his players. Reveno definitely recruited the players that brought about his successful seasons.

Here's an article about Leykam and how he is watching and assessing the program: watching and assessing

by DoubleDipper Mon Feb 11, 2013 8:13 pm

Hmm, good article from Nick.

I can tell you this, UP President Fr. Bill Beauchamp is not happy with the state of the program considering the amount of money and emphasis it has been given.

by goldhelmet Mon Feb 11, 2013 8:49 pm

up7587 wrote:I think there is a feeling Chavez achieved his success with Steele's players ans OSU transfers, and never did with his players. Reveno definitely recruited the players that brought about his successful seasons.

Here's an article about Leykam and how he is watching and assessing the program: watching and assessing

Agreed. That is a fair point and i think it's accurate. I will say that Reveno's best recruits - namely Raivio and TJC - were JC transfers. Sikma was a freshman, and he may be the best freshman he has recruited. and certainly played a major role. It's really hard hard to sustain success for more than a couple years if the freshman you recruit do not develop. JC's are fine, but only as a stop gap measure. Chavez experienced the same thing. Once guys like Chatman, Ross, Lemont Daniels, & King left, it quickly fell apart because he didn't continue recruiting freshman well.

by **PilotNut** Mon Feb 11, 2013 10:44 pm

Everyone here should read the Oregonian Article that covers much of what has been discussed in this thread. Good find, 7587!

The fact that this article/interview even exists (and assumably is being published tomorrow) is a step in the right direction, IMO. There is general recognition out there that the program is not where it needs to be, and to my knowledge, this is the first interview I have seen with University Officials that starts to ask questions.

Portland Pilots: Leykam says he's watching, evaluating progress of struggling men's basketball program

By Nick Daschel, Special to The Oregonian
on February 11, 2013 at 2:19 PM, updated February 11, 2013 at 5:07 PM

The job of a college athletic director has wide-ranging responsibilities, but for all the money and buildings that person helps raise and develop, they are often judged on two things:

The state of the football and men’s basketball programs.

In the case of University of Portland’s Scott Leykam, it’s men’s basketball and women’s soccer. Coming off its 13th consecutive NCAA playoff appearance, there are no worries regarding soccer for the Pilots’ first-year athletic director, but men’s basketball is becoming an issue.

For a second consecutive season, Portland isn’t competitive in the West Coast Conference. Coming off a 7-24 record in 2011-12, the Pilots are just slightly better this season at 9-17. In WCC play, Portland is 2-8, its two wins coming over last-place Loyola-Marymount. Against the league’s top top three teams – Gonzaga, Saint Mary’s, Brigham Young – the Pilots have lost four games by an average of 24 points.

It hasn’t always been this way for UP’s seventh-year coach Eric Reveno. Midway through his Pilots’ tenure, Reveno’s teams won 19, 21 and 20 games during a three-season stretch.

How much does that matter when Leykam analyzes the state of men’s basketball at season’s end? Leykam is vague as to whether Reveno’s tenure is in jeopardy.

“We’ve got a lot of basketball left to play, and we support the program,” Leykam said. “We continue to evaluate.”

Hired last May, Leykam has yet to make a decision as critical as the future of men’s basketball. Leykam says he has spent his first year thoroughly evaluating each sport, and admits success is men’s basketball is vital.

“It’s our flagship sport. It’s a sport where there’s a chance to generate revenue. We’re in conference that is increasing in profile. Men’s basketball is an incredible branding opportunity for the university,” Leykam said.

To help fuel success in men’s basketball, the Chiles Center recently completed a $2.5 million renovation, most of it having to do with an upgrade to the men’s basketball locker facility and weight room.

Average attendance this season is 1,838, down from 2,836 in 2010-11. More at stake than attendance, however, is profile: The better the team, the better chance UP stands to get games televised.

In his defense, Reveno believes the team is improving, despite some unforeseen setbacks this season.

One of the team’s best players, sophomore Kevin Bailey, has played half the season with a face mask, after undergoing surgery for a broken nose in December. Bailey missed several games, and Reveno said it’s taken time for the sophomore wing to adjust. Starting point guard David Carr suffered a season-ending knee injury in early January. Reveno had hoped junior Tanner Riley would become the deep shooting threat the Pilots desperately needed, but instead has shot just 31 percent from 3-point range.

“Given the cards we have right now, I feel like we’re getting better,” Reveno said.

Reveno believes the progress of freshmen Oskars Reinfelds, Jake Ehlers and Bryce Pressley is beginning to help, and sophomore post Thomas van der Mars is improving.

The Pilots continue to play hard, at least statistically. Two measuring sticks are rebounding and defense. Portland has outrebounded 18 of its 26 opponents this season, and in WCC play, has limited six of 10 opponents to a field goal percentage of 41 percent or less. In their most recent game, the Pilots grabbed a season-high 52 rebounds in an overtime loss to Pepperdine.

Reveno says the team is playing hard, although he dismisses that it’s even a talking point.

“It assumes they don’t care or don’t have pride. They play hard because that’s what they do,” Reveno said.

With five regular season games and the WCC tournament remaining, Reveno says there’s plenty at stake. The Pilots hope to improve their current WCC seeding of No. 8, which means avoiding an opening-round tournament game.

“We want to try to finish positively,” Reveno said.

In the meantime, Leykam watches and assesses.

by Guest Mon Feb 11, 2013 11:28 pm

“We want to try to finish positively,” Reveno said.

While I apprecite the sentiment, I hope he isn't hinging his job on winning multiple games. The schedule is:
@USF, who just beat BYU
@BYU, already beat us by 18 at home
USD, who just beat BYU
SCU, who walloped us at their place
@GU, and I don't even want to think about that one
Then, probably, an opening round game against LMU in Vegas, trying to beat them a third time.

All those games to finish the regular season are against teams better than Pepperdine. Right now, I'd settle for keeping 3 of them close. Getting one win before the tournament would feel like a bonus.

by Guest Mon Feb 11, 2013 11:31 pm

BTW, that's #5 GU to you. If they win @SMC Thursday, Mr. Few better win the WCC tourney and make the Final Four this year, or there are going to be some very unhappy Zag fans.

by Guest Mon Feb 11, 2013 11:35 pm

up7587 wrote:Then, probably, an opening round game against LMU in Vegas, trying to beat them a third time.

That didn't work out so well last time.

If this team finishes any better than 11-22 there's going to have been some serious rabbits pulled outta the ol' hat.