Re: Current state of the program

by Guest Fri Feb 22, 2013 11:38 am

the really tall head cheerleader

Current state of the program - Page 14 Rev10

by DoubleDipper Fri Feb 22, 2013 11:47 am

Ooops

I honestly thought you had noticed the really tall FEMALE cheerleader....silly me!

by Geezaldinho Fri Feb 22, 2013 11:54 am

DoubleDipper wrote:Ooops I honestly thought you had noticed the really tall FEMALE cheerleader....silly me!

face it, DD. when Wally was a chick she just wasn't all that tall....

by DoubleDipper Fri Feb 22, 2013 11:56 am

PurpleGeezer wrote:
DoubleDipper wrote:Ooops I honestly thought you had noticed the really tall FEMALE cheerleader....silly me!

face it, DD. when Wally was a chick she just wasn't all that tall....

Ha-ha, I do remember that....but she was stout!!

by onetouchfutbol Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:15 am

This was really just a miserable season. It comes down to us playing one of the shortest teams in the NCAA per average lineup (LMU) as the play-in game for the WCC tournament. I'll never value sports over academics, however, it would be great to see more success out there and more forward progress. When you use the word "program" to describe a sports team, it kind of implies that things are moving in a forward direction...not the other way around. Maybe Rev needs to give us a State of the "Program" Address and convince us that things are going better than they seem. The dream of beating Gonzaga has faded completely out of the picture and our promising recruits are growing up much too slowly...leaving us to wonder if they were over-rated in the first place...

by pilotram Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:33 am

onetouchfutbol wrote: Maybe Rev needs to give us a State of the "Program" Address and convince us that things are going better than they seem.

I like this. A frank letter to the Pilot Club talking about recruiting, scheduling, coaching etc would be much appreciated.

by DoubleDipper Sat Feb 23, 2013 11:41 am

pilotram wrote:
onetouchfutbol wrote: Maybe Rev needs to give us a State of the "Program" Address and convince us that things are going better than they seem.

I like this. A frank letter to the Pilot Club talking about recruiting, scheduling, coaching etc would be much appreciated.

Stay tuned......

by DoubleDipper Sat Feb 23, 2013 11:57 pm

So, Rev spoke to a number of Pilot Club members and guests this afternoon before the SCU game. He addressed just the on-court problems (like spacing) and recently improved offensive production (experience and better ball movement).

He was also pretty emotional talking about Derrick's last home game (he also addressed his lack of shooting), and it was obvious how much he cares about all the players in general.

After the season there will be an opportunity to get into a “state of the program” discussion with Rev and his assistants (and possibly some players) as a means of making the UP supporters more aware of all that is going on and what is anticipated for the future.

The Athletic Department is looking forward to gathering fans and coaches from many of the programs for “fireside chats” so everyone’s views can be shared and questions can be answered. When this happens, you’ll hear about it in advance on PilotNation.net!

by goldhelmet Sun Feb 24, 2013 12:53 am

Rogers' lack of shooting I can actually live with if he's doing other things (which he does for the most part). What has really been the much, much bigger issue with me - a pretty consistent pattern of unforced ("bad") turnovers.

by wrv Sun Feb 24, 2013 8:28 am

I mostly agree with Goldhelmet on this. As good a person as Rogers appears to be, as dedicated a player as he also appears to be, turnovers from the point were an issue in the game against Santa Clara. When he drives he is dangerous in the key, but his lack of outside shooting, which I think is a factor, and a couple of really untimely turnovers affected the outcome of this game. Better play at the point may have made a difference. But I think he deserves plaudits for his efforts and for improving his game overall, including shooting.

Nicholas struggled against the long and lean front line of Santa Clara, and his outside shot was not falling.

Pressly brought the ball up court when Rogers was out and did a credible job.

How about that start by Santa Clara, Foster shooting lights out. We are down 20-6 in no time and then we out score them for the majority of the game until we start fouling.

Another game in which Pilots were competitive. Rev turned the downward spiral around . . .

by Guest Sun Feb 24, 2013 11:39 am

wrv wrote:Another game in which Pilots were competitive. Rev turned the downward spiral around . . .

I think several guys had to adjust to unexpected roles this year. I believe Derrick was expected to be a back-up point and defensive stopper, until Douglas transferred. David Carr had to learn point, when he was supposed to be a shooting guard. Kevin Bailey had to deal with injury and the face mask, which obviously bothered him. Jake Ehlers, who I thought might redshirt, had to assume a bigger role as back-up PF, when Cason left. Riley Barker looked like the year off from injury left him behind in fitness most of the year, as he seemed to tire quickly. That left Thomas van der Mars playing a larger number of minutes, which often left him looking spent. Korey Thieleke played into a new starting role, then had to adjust back to being a sub. David Ahern was pulled from a redshirt year into a back-up role when Carr got hurt. Bryce Pressley and Oskars Reinfelds had to learn the system and were expected to be substantial contributors as freshmen.

All in all, Rev and his staff had to do a lot of teaching this year. I credit them for getting the team back on track and obviously playing better. Next year should be one of guys having a better idea of their roles, and the coaches working on player improvement.

by NoPoNeighbor Sun Feb 24, 2013 4:31 pm

So, looks like we are headed for the Wednesday night game against LMU. At least we have a chance for another W before the season ends.

Despite an overall frustrating season, the last few games have been fun to watch. Perhaps we did make some progress after all (though our competitiveness in the last couple of weeks was enhanced by playing teams in the bottom half of the league).

I'll be pleased if we make a better showing against GU next Saturday than SCU and USD managed this past week. (I.e., if GU's margin of victory is less than 30.)

by Guest Sun Feb 24, 2013 4:42 pm

NoPoNeighbor wrote:So, looks like we are headed for the Wednesday night game against LMU. At least we have a chance for another W before the season ends.

Chance for a couple wins, even.

Get by LMU and that sets up a game against the 5 seed, which regardless of whether it's USD or USF will be against a team that the Pilots have recently beat.

#optimism

by DTLegend Mon Feb 25, 2013 7:06 am

If history serves as any indicator, the past few years we've either been one and done or won the first game and then lost the second.

Also, I've been thinking about next years rotation, and I know it is really really really early to be thinking of starters on Day 1, but I could really see a starting line that looks like this

Bryce
Oskars
Kevin
Ryan
Thomas

Right now I think the rest of our rotation would consist of:
Jake, Riley, Tanner, Alec, and maybe our last scholarship player. Eventually David C could be in this group but that could put us at possible an 11 man rotation which I don't think is ideal. Ideally we could get down to a 9 or 10 man rotation. Looking back at the 20 win seasons, it seems that Rev used a 7 or 8 man rotation, but it seemed that we faded a tad toward the end of the season each year, so bumping it up to a 9-10 man rotation may keep us fresher down the stretch.

John, David A. will come in and provide minutes where needed I think.

by oldtimer Mon Feb 25, 2013 11:49 am

DTLegend- This will end up as its own topic at some point but since you brought it up.....

It would seem four of your predictions are spot on. The one position that may be the most interesting to see how it shakes out is the 2 guard spot.

Oskars is fully capable but Tanner and Korey will be battling hard. This year saw Korey start a number of games and then disappear for a few then back again. He brings good athleticism to the court but doesnt have the outside shot that Rev is going to be looking for.
Dont sleep on Tanner, if he can put the work in this off season and come in prepared like we know he can, it would add a much needed outside game to the mix.
Also it seems the popular vote is for UP to find a perimeter shooter, possibly a JC player that can step in immediately. All in all it seems like the one position that will be worth keeping an eye on.

by bctigard Mon Feb 25, 2013 12:11 pm

I will be watching closely and rooting hard for the Pilots. It will be interesting to see how they react to the increased intensity of the tournament. 2010-11 ended in a 1 and done loss to Loyola Marymount. 2009-2010, 1 victory over SD, followed by a loss to St Mary's.

I'm hoping Rev can capitalize on some of the teams improved play to capitalize on a run in the tournament. The fans need it!

GO PILOTS!

by oldtimer Mon Feb 25, 2013 12:28 pm

Last year was a great game against Santa Clara. The Broncos go the whole game without a TO until Evan stepped on the end line to help seal the game.
If UP HAS to play Wednesday then LMU is as good an opponent as anyone and then USD followed by the Broncos again. I can see two maybe three wins in Vegas.

by DTLegend Mon Feb 25, 2013 12:29 pm

Yeah, I didn't even mention Korey, but he will definetly get some playing time due to his energy and defense.

I guess the point I'm making is that there are a total of 200 minutes per game (40 minutes X 5 players) and I just don't see us running a 12 man rotation consistently. I'm just curious to see who takes advantage of this summer the most and can solidify their spot within the rotation.

by Guest Mon Feb 25, 2013 3:39 pm

I was also thinking about next year, but I'm going to wait until after the tournament to opine.

It is my understanding that we are locked into the Wednesday game already.

by **PilotNut** Mon Feb 25, 2013 4:03 pm

The only way we don't play in the Wednesday game is if we beat GU and Pepp loses both games this weekend. So yeah, pretty much a lock. tongue

by Geezaldinho Mon Feb 25, 2013 4:09 pm

PilotNut wrote:The only way we don't play in the Wednesday game is if we beat GU and Pepp loses both games this weekend. So yeah, pretty much a lock.

GOD!

You are such a pessimist.

by Guest Mon Feb 25, 2013 4:37 pm

So you're telling me there's a chance. Yeah!

by Guest Mon Feb 25, 2013 9:01 pm

DTLegend wrote:I guess the point I'm making is that there are a total of 200 minutes per game (40 minutes X 5 players) and I just don't see us running a 12 man rotation consistently.

Well, the Pilots have seen two transfers out of the program in the last 12 months and (by my count) a total of 21 man-games lost to injury/suspension this year alone...so the problem of quality depth battling for minutes should be a nice one for the staff to have to manage.

by **PilotNut** Wed Mar 06, 2013 8:41 pm

I am not going to post any more in this thread after this while I am fired up about the loss tonight... but I find myself asking this question, again...... is this program improved from when Rev took over?

The entire conference has improved, yes, but relative to the rest of the teams in the WCC, are we better?! For all of the resources being poured into the program (renovations, additional basketball-specific staff, increased coaching salaries), what is our return? More early exits from tourneys and cellar finishes in conference play.

It isn't working.

by DoubleDipper Wed Mar 06, 2013 11:14 pm

Reliable source (not on any UP staff) told me today that Oskars' chances of returning next year are "slim."

I'll just say it was/is a behavior issue not related to basketball or academics. No need to discuss the specifics in this (public) forum.