WCC Tournament Central

Great job by the Pilot dancers and pep band and Wally. PU brought neither, only their mascot. LMU has no band.

Just two years ago Pilots fans had a great party weekend in Las Vegas after UP upset SMC 69-52 on Saturday behind the stellar play of Bailey, Todd, and van der Mars. But those three are gone and the chances of another upset tonight against #20 SMC are pretty slim.

UP was given only a 22% of winning that game in 2015, but tonight their chances are listed at 4%....with most expecting the Gaels to prevail by 20 to 26 points.

In their first two meetings this season SMC won twice by a combined score of 125-74, if the Pilots are going to have a chance tonight against the best SMC team ever, they are going to have to play ugly and scrappy while hitting their threes and free throws.

I cannot imagine a game plan that will neutralize SMC's All-WCC players Landale, Hermanson, and Rahon, or stop the top rebounding, 3-point shooting, and free-throw shooting team in the WCC, but don't tell the Pilot players that, they are pumped, confident, and ready.

Interesting BYU-LMU game. It was on track for 200 points after 10 minutes; several long threes. Then it got rough. Hawes and Brown were called for a double technical, and the refs clamped down with tighter calls. BYU's many fans reacted with calm and reasonable objections. At half it is on track for 160 points, 42-38 BYU.

up7587 wrote:Interesting BYU-LMU game.....

BYU prevailed 89-81, but the game was closer than that.  Mika was just too much for the Lions....hope there were NBA scouts in the building.

Can't figure why LMU's Petr Herman was not at least WCC Honorable Mention.  He'll be back next year and should be a force in the middle.

Despite a career high 33 points from USF senior Ronnie Boyce the Broncos prevail 76-69 without starting point guard KJ Feagin (concussion symptoms from practice). Once again the game was closer than the final score would indicate, but SCU senior Jared Brownridge's 28 points kept his team close when USF looked to takeover.

Coach Smith takes over Rex Walter's mess at USF and wins 20 games with sophomores and freshmen and only one junior and one senior....they'll probably find a postseason game somewhere, maybe even the NIT.

So, uhh. Saint Mary's won.

Dean Murdoch wrote:So, uhh. Saint Mary's won.

Yup. By the second half it was obvious the guys had no legs left, and SMC pulled away. They have too many weapons, and some great passers.

up7587 wrote:Yup.  By the second half it was obvious the guys had no legs left, and SMC pulled away.  They have too many weapons, and some great passers.

SMC obviously has the better personnel, but UP played a scrappy first half and showed signs of getting better....just too late for this year.

UP started out leading 8-2, but then a couple of 3s by Hermanson (he had 5 for the game) and 3 straight dunks got the Gaels off to the races on a 16-2 run before X made a beautiful runner to stop the bleeding. (Too bad the previous staff did not think enough of Hermanson's potential to recruit him).

Good finish by the Pilots to end the first half down by five, but despite the good ball movement and finding the open man, the Pilots either missed too many shots or did not take the shot.  Like 7587 said, in the second half the short bench, the tired legs, and the reality the season was over allowed the Gaels to run away.

Excellent offensive game for Jazz (26 points), but in all three games against SMC this season, he was the only player to score in double figures..

Made it to Las Vegas in time to watch both men's games...a fun experience, even during the loss on Saturday night when a lot of fans were rooting for the Pilots....or against St. Mary's.

My first impression of the Orleans Hotel (I didn't stay there) was that it was isolated from the fun spots and that it was full of really old people wearing Gonzaga gear....many of whom seemed to be just standing around looking for something to do.  I don't blame them for not going into the casino, the smoke there would cut their life expectancy by about 10 years.  A much younger crowd of BYU fans showed up on Saturday....lots of kids.  

It was my first chance to interact with Pilots fans (purple is an easy color to spot amongst all the blue), and they (you?) were a fun loving group...much more than some of the group wearing Gonzaga stuff. Seems most of the Pilots fans I talked to were "repeaters" at the Orleans.

Nice pregame receptions for Pilots fans. I didn't see any other school's receptions, but the Pilots did it right by having it indoors where you could sneak peaks at basketball games instead of being out in the wind.  When the Pilots weren't playing we students headed for the Strip to see some shows....and that's where we crammed into a couple of hotel rooms for two nights, but it was fun!

Orleans Arena was alright (I was able to sit right behind the bench for both Pilots' games even though I had end-zone tickets that were really cheap), but it seemed there were an awful lot of empty seats, especially down front.  For VIPs only?  I don't know all the ramifications of why the tournament is held at the Orleans, but it would seem somewhere closer to the Las Vegas fun would be a better venue if it were to stay in Las Vegas.

up7587 wrote:Great job by the Pilot dancers and pep band and Wally. PU brought neither, only their mascot. LMU has no band.

...was my first time back in Vegas for the tournament since...2011? I had a great time being back with the band again.

StudentPilot wrote:My first impression of the Orleans Hotel (I didn't stay there) was that it was isolated from the fun spots and that it was full of really old people wearing Gonzaga gear....many of whom seemed to be just standing around looking for something to do.

...the average age of those wearing GU gear became a running joke for my wife and I.

Couple of gems from the BYU message board tonight -

"When did we turn into Portland?" (ouch!)

"Sorry, but the Gaels are not that good." (posted when SMC was up 76-44)

My favorite one from the twittersphere:

"How is it that Portland gave St. Mary's a harder time than BYU?"

Coach Bennett may be annoying, but those Gaels are a well-coached team. SMC is #2 in scoring defense in D1...and it showed, while BYU's defense allowed the Gaels to do anything they wanted.

Here I was ready to send Mika off to the NBA based upon his performances this year, but tonight I'm hoping Jock Landale jumps to the NBA.

After GU seemed to be sleep-walking against SCU, it's hard to say what the championship game will look like, but both teams will be going to the Dance regardless.  Based upon tonight's performance, I'd have to pick the Gaels by 6.

Dean Murdoch wrote:
"When did we turn into Portland?" (ouch

They won't until they win at least one wcc championship.

StudentPilot wrote:Made it to Las Vegas in time to watch both men's games...a fun experience, even during the loss on Saturday night when a lot of fans were rooting for the Pilots....or against St. Mary's.

My first impression of the Orleans Hotel (I didn't stay there) was that it was isolated from the fun spots and that it was full of really old people wearing Gonzaga gear....many of whom seemed to be just standing around looking for something to do.  I don't blame them for not going into the casino, the smoke there would cut their life expectancy by about 10 years.  A much younger crowd of BYU fans showed up on Saturday....lots of kids.  

It was my first chance to interact with Pilots fans (purple is an easy color to spot amongst all the blue), and they (you?) were a fun loving group...much more than some of the group wearing Gonzaga stuff. Seems most of the Pilots fans I talked to were "repeaters" at the Orleans.

Nice pregame receptions for Pilots fans. I didn't see any other school's receptions, but the Pilots did it right by having it indoors where you could sneak peaks at basketball games instead of being out in the wind.  When the Pilots weren't playing we students headed for the Strip to see some shows....and that's where we crammed into a couple of hotel rooms for two nights, but it was fun!

Orleans Arena was alright (I was able to sit right behind the bench for both Pilots' games even though I had end-zone tickets that were really cheap), but it seemed there were an awful lot of empty seats, especially down front.  For VIPs only?  I don't know all the ramifications of why the tournament is held at the Orleans, but it would seem somewhere closer to the Las Vegas fun would be a better venue if it were to stay in Las Vegas.

Too bad I didn't get a chance to meet you at the pregame function. I always like to put a face to the PN members.

I think the Orleans is perfect for the WCC. The other venues are just too big and probably significantly more expensive for the league. I loved the addition of the video board this year. I wish we could get back to using the video board at Chiles!

I know the strip is more fun the younger crowd, but I prefer to stay at the Orleans. The rooms are significantly cheaper and the have great comp plans (unfortunaly, if you aren't 21, you can't take advantage of that). I had two of my four night comped this year. Also, gambling is cheaper at the Orleans. You can't find a $5 table on the strip, yet alone a $10 table. The great thing about Vegas is that it's easy to get a cab or an Uber to go anywhere you want to go.

Best best part of the trip is that for the second year in a row I had more money in my wallet than when I left. I wonder how long until they realize I'm counting their two deck blackjack?

blacksheep wrote:Too bad I didn't get a chance to meet you at the pregame function.  I always like to put a face to the PN members.....
I know the strip is more fun the younger crowd, but I prefer to stay at the Orleans.  

We probably did meet, as I talked with a lot of people in purple, but names were generally not exchanged.  Were you wearing a PilotNation shirt?  I was told there once was was such a thing.

Sounds like the Orleans is good if you are old enough to drink and gamble, but as I wrote before, it seemed most everyone we saw was well beyond retirement age and wearing GU gear.

Yes, we used Uber to get around, and in the 48 hours we were there we saw 3 car crashes, a motorcycle accident, we twice we saw police detaining people for some infraction, and the traffic on Tropicana was bumper to bumper.

Not complaining, just an observation, but it seemed awfully sane and tame to get back to Portland.  Off to Japan for spring break this Friday....plan to take trips on the "shinkansen" (bullet train).

StudentPilot wrote:

blacksheep wrote:Too bad I didn't get a chance to meet you at the pregame function.  I always like to put a face to the PN members.....
I know the strip is more fun the younger crowd, but I prefer to stay at the Orleans.  

We probably did meet, as I talked with a lot of people in purple, but names were generally not exchanged.  Were you wearing a PilotNation shirt?  I was told there once was was such a thing.

Sounds like the Orleans is good if you are old enough to drink and gamble, but as I wrote before, it seemed most everyone we saw was well beyond retirement age and wearing GU gear.

Yes, we used Uber to get around, and in the 48 hours we were there we saw 3 car crashes, a motorcycle accident, we twice we saw police detaining people for some infraction, and the traffic on Tropicana was bumper to bumper.

Not complaining, just an observation, but it seemed awfully sane and tame to get back to Portland.  Off to Japan for spring break this Friday....plan to take trips on the "shinkansen" (bullet train).

I've been on PN for a while, but the last run of shirts was done right before I joined.  

In the line to get a cab from the airport, we saw a cab driver get out of his car without putting it in park first, running into the cab driver in front of him.  It looked like the driver was hurting, but that he'd probably be okay.  I've driven in Vegas a few times and it's ruthless to say the least.  If you drive like a Portlander, you will not fare well.

As you the Gonzaga fans, they outnumber everyone else 2 or 3 to 1.  It's just a factor of them being so good for so long.

Anyone ever find out what happened to Woodless!  I think he may have been Vegased?

SMC had a horrible 1st half against GU, just unable to score (when did they become Portland). They played better in the 2nd half, but it was too big a hole. GU probably gets the #1 seed.

up7587 wrote:SMC had a horrible 1st half against GU, just unable to score (when did they become Portland). They played better in the 2nd half, but it was too big a hole. GU probably gets the #1 seed.

Just great TEAM basketball by GU.

Even if Landale had not been in foul trouble, Karnowski ruled the game at both ends...and Williams-Goss provided the spark to keep the Zags rolling.

Yeah, a #1, without a doubt!

I'm way, way out form, Blacksheep.

Woodless 2.0 wrote:I'm way, way out form, Blacksheep.

Yep, I expect you to be in better shape for next year. You may need to start those 12oz curls now!

Woodless 2.0 wrote:I'm way, way out form, Blacksheep.

It was good to see you... practice makes perfect for next season!

Don't worry, I'll be back.

If I go into it after running 14 miles in the morning off 4 hours of sleep I might need to start the 24 hours in Vegas with a 2 hour nap rather than 2 hours at the black jack table.