Multomah, Tuesday 11/6/18, 7pm

by **PilotNut** Mon Nov 05, 2018 12:05 pm

The Multnomah University Lions of NE Portland visit Chiles Center on Tuesday in the regular season opener for the Pilots. MU is a member of the Cascade Collegiate Conference in the NAIA ranks.

MU has played a few games already, and the high scores are eyebrow raising. MU has won 146-72, 128-95, 125-114 and lost to PSU 89-119. Their stats indicate that the average 25.7 made 3's per game, shooting .472 from 3 overall (it looks like these were all home games). It does not appear that these stats include the game at PSU, where the Lions were 21-59 (0.356) from 3. There may be a few 3's launched in this one...

by DoubleDipper Tue Nov 06, 2018 7:58 am

In their three non-conference games this season Multnomah is averaging 133 points per game, and I don’t care who the opponent is, that’s exciting race-horse basketball like we haven’t seen since Hank Gathers brought LMU to the Chiles Center.

Not included in those numbers is Multnomah’s game against PSU which they lost 118-89, while throwing up 59 3-point attempts, and hitting 21 for 35%

Historically the Pilots just haven’t defended well against the 3-point shot, but they’ve gotten better. Using KenPom’s numbers, the Pilots have improved their 3-point defense over the last three years: 2016 - #333 in the nation; 2017 - #256; and 2018 - #216, but if Multnomah puts up 60 3-point shots, and makes 40% of them, that’s still 72 points from beyond the arc.

Just last Saturday, Westmont put up 35 mostly uncontested 3s against the Pilots, and they hit 14 for 40%.

UP can be vulnerable, but I think the backcourt is deep enough it can press, or at least pick-up the defensive transition early and stop the ball before the good long shot is taken, while the tall and athletic frontcourt can be counted on to grab rebounds and swats shots if Multnomah passes the ball over the backcourt or breaks for the basket. I wouldn’t mind seeing the entertainment of both teams just “running-and-gunning,” but if the Pilots are preparing for tougher opponents, they’d better work on stopping the ball early in transition and contest every shot.

by Guest Tue Nov 06, 2018 8:07 am

DoubleDipper wrote:I wouldn’t mind seeing the entertainment of both teams just “running-and-gunning,” but if the Pilots are preparing for tougher opponents, they’d better work on stopping the ball early in transition and contest every shot.

I sure hope the Pilots don't fall into that trap. They are hitting 44% of their 3P shots in the first two exhibitions, but I don't think that's the game they need to work on.

by DoubleDipper Tue Nov 06, 2018 10:02 am

It’s obvious that all the Lions starters are very good shooters as four of the Lions starting five scored in double-figures against PSU, but clearly the man to watch is #25. He put up 31 points against the Vikings on the road while committing just 3 turnovers and contributing 8 assists.

The 5-9 gym-rat is averaging just under 30 ppg on the season and is shooting 57% from the field and 72% from the line. With UP’s best lock-down defender hurt (Crisshawn), it will be interesting to see what the strategy will be to stop #25 and the rest of the Lions. I suspect it won’t be just one man guarding #25, but a team effort.

The Pilots can’t take these guys for granted, and I don't think they will...

by DoubleDipper Tue Nov 06, 2018 10:29 am

Not sure why UP Athletics is not publicizing the game tonight, but as today is National Nachos Day, I'm told the price of nachos will be "discounted" at the game.

I think most fans will recall UP's romp over SMC quite a few years ago on "Not Yo Night"....it was great fun., but I doubt tonight will have the same atmosphere...

by Sound Voltex Tue Nov 06, 2018 6:31 pm

I saw on the Japanese twitters that Coach Cantu gave a post-game radio interview after the Westmont game alluding to Diabate and Hugh gaining so much muscle over the summer. It also reminded me that it's time for me to return to recording post-game radio interviews tonight (if there are any).

by DoubleDipper Tue Nov 06, 2018 7:15 pm

In my original post, I wrote #25, it should have been #3, Justin Martin...

A Multnomah insider claims the Lions plan to attempt 70 3-point shots tonight!!

by Dean Murdoch Tue Nov 06, 2018 7:31 pm

by Sound Voltex Tue Nov 06, 2018 7:55 pm

We cut it to 2 by half, so I don't think we've hit rock bottom (yet). I'm guessing that's the first time ever (or in a very long time in recent memory) where we're losing to a NAIA team at the half, though.

I mean, aside from letting Martin get hot, I don't think we've looked too terrible (or maybe I just haven't watched any basketball since March Madness). Multnomah just appears to have out-offense'd us more with the 3s.

by Dean Murdoch Tue Nov 06, 2018 9:00 pm

22-50 from three. Fine, Multnomah, tip of the hat from me.

Glad the Pilots survived this circus. Bring on Hawaii.

by RustyNail Tue Nov 06, 2018 9:33 pm

What about McSwagger!!

by Sound Voltex Tue Nov 06, 2018 9:48 pm

Speaking of McSwagger, where's Darren Cooper on commentary?

Other random thoughts:
- Loved seeing Theo and his big moves.
- Diabete, Hugh, and Taki looked okay in their minutes. Part of me kinda wishes they were better offense/defense-wise, but given this wacky game I can probably give them a pass for now.

Post-game radio with Shaver Jr.: https://vocaroo.com/i/s0A5z5IqBvnm
Post-game radio with Coach Cantu: https://vocaroo.com/i/s1tYh7TkfOba

by **PilotNut** Tue Nov 06, 2018 9:55 pm

UP Game Summary LINK

McSwiggan Scores 37 as Pilots Defeat Multnomah in Opener

PORTLAND, Ore. (PortlandPilots.com) – Josh McSwiggan recorded career highs of 37 points and 11 rebounds as Portland pulled away late for a 111-103 season-opening win against Multnomah on Tuesday at the Chiles Center. Sophomore guard Marcus Shaver Jr. added 23 points and nine assists as the Pilots had five players reach double figures.

The run-and-gun Lions entered the contest averaging 133 points per game and 26 three-pointers made per game, along with a 3-0 regular season record against NAIA opponents. They drilled 22-of-50 three-pointers and were led by 39 points from Justin Martin, while Ben Grandle added 34 points. Both players knocked down eight three-pointers.

The Pilots (1-0) shot 56 percent from the field, but struggled to 5-of-20 shooting from three-point range. Portland used its size to gain a 48-32 rebounding advantage and 74-28 scoring margin in the paint.

Junior Franklin Porter finished with 14 points and six assists, while freshman center Theo Akwuba scored 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds for the Pilots. Sophomore Malcolm Porter added 10 points off the bench.

Portland raced out to a 9-0 lead to start the game in the first two minutes and appeared to be on the way to a rout, but Multnomah caught fire and drilled four consecutive three points to take a 42-33 lead and force a timeout.

The Lions drilled 11 first half triples to maintain the lead, but Portland closed the half on a 12-3 run capped by a Shaver Jr. three-point play to make it a 56-54 deficit at the break.

The second half featured 15 ties and five lead changes as Multnomah continued to hit long, contested three-pointers until the finish. A Grandle layup gave the Lions a 92-89 lead with 5:45 remaining, but McSwiggan and Malcolm Porter answered with consecutive layups to re-take the lead. McSwiggan scored twice more at the rim to push the lead to 100-92 with 2:13 left, but Martin buried a deep three on the ensuing possession.

Shaver Jr. and Martin exchanged threes on the next two possessions and then Shaver added a pair of free throws to make it 107-103 with 37 seconds on the clock. Brett Blackstock hit another tough three-pointer, but McSwiggan calmly hit two more at the free throw line to ice the game.

The Pilots will now prepare for the Rainbow Classic hosted by Hawaii this weekend. Portland will face the host Warriors on Friday at 10 p.m. (PT) and then take on the 2018 CBI Champions from North Texas on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. (PT).

Newspaper Box Score
Multnomah vs Portland
11/06/18 7:00 pm at Portland, Ore. (Chiles Center)
At Portland, Ore. (Chiles Center)
PORTLAND 111, MULTNOMAH 103

MULTNOMAH
Justin Martin 14-28 3-4 39; Ben Grandle 11-21 4-5 34; Brett Blackstock 8-13
0-0 19; Zach Richardson 3-9 0-0 9; Beau Shockley 1-3 0-0 2; Ted Hilliard 0-0
0-0 0; Justin Garcia 0-1 0-0 0; Ben Schneiders 0-0 0-0 0; Briggs Young 0-1
0-0 0. Totals 37-76 7-9 103.

PORTLAND (3-0)
McSWIGGAN, Josh 17-25 3-3 37; SHAVER JR, Marcus 8-17 5-5 23; PORTER,
Franklin 4-4 5-6 14; AKWUBA, Theo 6-8 1-3 13; PORTER, Malcolm 4-10 1-4 10;
WALKER, JoJo 2-8 3-5 8; FAHRENSOHN, Takiula 1-3 0-0 2; DIABATE, Tahirou 1-1
0-0 2; HOGLAND, Hugh 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 44-78 18-26 111.

Multnomah..................... 56 47 - 103
Portland...................... 54 57 - 111

3-point goals--Multnomah 22-50 (Ben Grandle 8-16; Justin Martin 8-18; Zach
Richardson 3-9; Brett Blackstock 3-5; Briggs Young 0-1; Beau Shockley 0-1),
Portland 5-20 (SHAVER JR, Marcus 2-5; PORTER, Malcolm 1-5; PORTER, Franklin
1-1; WALKER, JoJo 1-4; FAHRENSOHN, Takiula 0-2; McSWIGGAN, Josh 0-3). Fouled
out--Multnomah-Brett Blackstock, Portland-None. Rebounds--Multnomah 32 (Ben
Grandle 9; Brett Blackstock 9), Portland 47 (McSWIGGAN, Josh 11).
Assists--Multnomah 20 (Briggs Young 12), Portland 22 (SHAVER JR, Marcus 9).
Total fouls--Multnomah 20, Portland 12. Technical fouls--Multnomah-None,
Portland-None. A-1263

by Geezaldinho Tue Nov 06, 2018 10:02 pm

Great defense we held them to 30 points under their average. Neutral

by Guest Tue Nov 06, 2018 10:20 pm

The Good:
- Pilots shot 39-58 from 2P range, 67%.
- 22 to 6 assist to turnover ratio
- 13-16 (81%) FT shooting in 2nd half (only 5-10 in 1st half).
- only 12 PFs, no one except Malcolm had more than 2.
- Theo 6-8 in 21 minutes, 13 pts, 7 RB, 1 PF, 1 BLK. Good first game for a true FR.

The Bad:
- only 5-20 from 3Pt (Josh 0-3, JoJo 1-4, Malcolm 1-5)
- needed a closing run in 1st half to draw within 2 after trailing by 12.
- 8 point win over an NAIA team that lost by 20 to PSU.
- two MU players with 30+ points

The Ugly:
- Theo beaten badly on some backdoor cuts.
- some ole' defense in the paint by Josh
- the attendance; officially 1,263, many were dressed as empty seats.

by NoPoNeighbor Wed Nov 07, 2018 1:26 pm

I noticed that Tryon was in street clothes last night. On the post-game interview (thanks for posting, SoundVoltex) Swygard said that he had a foot injury. Any info on how severe, and when we might expect him to return to the lineup?

The other interesting point from the Cantu interview was his frustration that Diabate isn't getting more minutes. He only played four minutes in the season opener. I never would have believed that at the close of last season.

Akwuba looked darn good on offense, though I take that with a grain of salt given his overwhelming size advantage. But still, it was a great first game for a true freshman. Congrats also to Hogland and Fahrensohn on their first points as college players.

A weird observation from Multnomah's boxscore... Briggs Young started and played all 40 minutes. 12 assists and 0 points. Out of Multnomah's 76 field goal attempts, Young accounted for only 1. A true pass-first (pass-only?) point guard.

by Guest Wed Nov 07, 2018 2:49 pm

NoPoNeighbor wrote:I noticed that Tryon was in street clothes last night. On the post-game interview (thanks for posting, SoundVoltex) Swygard said that he had a foot injury. Any info on how severe, and when we might expect him to return to the lineup?

I was told he has plantar fasciitis. It can take time to heal, and rest is the usual treatment, but maybe he can play through it.

Multomah, Tuesday 11/6/18, 7pm

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