Pilots vs Gonzaga, Tuesday 3/12, 1:00pm, ESPNU

Kiwis on camera

A good samaritan has posted a lengthy video of the Pilot's win:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktJ3kZtgJmM

wrv wrote:A good samaritan has posted a lengthy video of the Pilot's win:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktJ3kZtgJmM

I found the explanation for the Pilot's victory.

As a long-time Spokaner and as a fan of the Zags wbb team, I am upset and embarrassed by this loss. I am not buying it that the team that went 3-1 against the Pac-12 this year lost the cupcake conference tourney championship game now two years in a row to Portland without doing it on purpose to get a second WCC team into the NCAA tourney on the automatic bid while the Zags expect an at large invite. 11 days between games does not account for the level of play GU demonstrated in this game or the Pacific game before it. "Too many days without a game and despite practices, we forgot how to play!" It is not fair to other teams with players giving it their all to play at higher level trying to get one of those invites.

Yes, the Zags gave up their chance to host for the good of the WCC as a whole.

Altruism at its finest.

up7587 wrote:I found the explanation for the Pilot's victory.

As a long-time Spokaner and as a fan of the Zags wbb team, I am upset and embarrassed by this loss. I am not buying it that the team that went 3-1 against the Pac-12 this year lost the cupcake conference tourney championship game now two years in a row to Portland without doing it on purpose to get a second WCC team into the NCAA tourney on the automatic bid while the Zags expect an at large invite. 11 days between games does not account for the level of play GU demonstrated in this game or the Pacific game before it. "Too many days without a game and despite practices, we forgot how to play!" It is not fair to other teams with players giving it their all to play at higher level trying to get one of those invites.

What the "Spokaner" doesn't seem to realize is there are no "units" or NCAA money that a league might be entitled to in women's basketball...so no reason to have more than one representative other than GU being altruistic as Geezer, with tongue in cheek, suggested.  

The NCAA pays the team's expenses, and that's about it.

An arguably more factual if less humorous explanation of the Pilot's win, also straight from the Zag board:

Portland coaching staff had a terrific game plan--pressure the Truongs, end to end, knock them sideways ALL GAME LONG & WEAR THEM OUT.--worked to a tee. They realized the Zags bench, reduced by injuries, was too thin to provide K11& K14 with any meaningful rest. So, kudos to them.
Portland's guards had unbelievable stamina in carrying out the game plan.
Leave Vonnie all alone at the free throw line believing she wouldn't take the shot or miss when she did. Jam it up under the basket to prevent her from driving. She was 8 for 20 from the field. By far her worst shooting performance of the season.
Did I mention wear the Truongs out (who were 5 of 18 shooting with 8 assists & 5 TO's between them).

Of course, the pressure "end to end" is pretty much part of every game plan drawn up by this staff.

A follow up with Kennedy, the WCC Tournament MVP...

https://www.kamloopsbcnow.com/watercooler/news/news/Local_Sports/It_kind_of_feels_like_a_fever_dream_Kennedy_s_journey_from_Kelowna_to_March_Madness/