2024 Offseason

Somehow, this dated Portland Pilots giphy ended up in my in box tonight.  

A bit of goofiness and nostalgia...

https://giphy.com/gifs/Portland-Pilots-2-rose-pflug-YDs6kFilApfBzmHRRs

wrv wrote:Notable that Tess Heal, star Santa Clara guard, has apparently entered the transfer portal. Big big loss for the Broncos. NIL money?

I don't know about the money, but sources have indicated that Tess will travel down the coast San Diego this coming school year.

This past season she averaged 19.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 4.9 apg. at Santa Clara.

Her Santa Clara teammate, Lara Edmunson, also from Melbourne, is going to play at Villanova during her graduate year there.

DoubleDipper wrote:

wrv wrote:Notable that Tess Heal, star Santa Clara guard, has apparently entered the transfer portal. Big big loss for the Broncos. NIL money?

I don't know about the money, but sources have indicated that Tess will travel down the coast San Diego this coming school year.

This past season she averaged 19.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 4.9 apg. at Santa Clara.

Her Santa Clara teammate, Lara Edmunson, also from Melbourne, is going to play at Villanova during her graduate year there.

I am sure Ms. Heal had many opportunities to play D1 ball. Quite the coup for coach Cindy Fischer and San Diego. Heal's presence has the potential to transform the success of that program.

Bill Carr, Santa Clara  coach now presides over a shell of his former team. He has lost 7 to the portal, signed only 1 so far, and has not signed any freshmen recruits. Among the WCC old guard, they may be the most adversely affected.

Then there is OSU, with 8 skilled players out the door in the portal and only 1 from the portal signed next  year. Hard to overstate the extent of OSU's transformation from an Elite 8 quality team.

WSU star Kiwi guard Charlisse Leger-Walker has committed to UCLA.  Both WCC newcomers appear to be net losers in the portal.

So far in the WCC, ST. Mary's has undergone the most turnover, with 7 lost to the portal and 5 ciming in, together with 5 freshmen. They have recruited well and may be a force in the conference next year.

DoubleDipper wrote:

wrv wrote:Notable that Tess Heal, star Santa Clara guard, has apparently entered the transfer portal. Big big loss for the Broncos. NIL money?

I don't know about the money, but sources have indicated that Tess will travel down the coast San Diego this coming school year.

This past season she averaged 19.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 4.9 apg. at Santa Clara.

Her Santa Clara teammate, Lara Edmunson, also from Melbourne, is going to play at Villanova during her graduate year there.

In the end, it appears Ms. Heal has chosen Stanford as her new school. Out of the WCC, for now, good luck to her.

Lucy joins Alex at Townsville...

https://wnbl.basketball/townsville/news/lucy-cochrane-a-66-australian-forward-has-signed-with-the-fire/

Lucy Cochrane joins Alex Fowler with the Townsville Fire, and has some good things to say about the University of Portland and her teammates at UP.

https://pickandroll.com.au/p/ready-to-fire-lucy-cochrane-is-set

All the pressure is on the Washington teams while the Pilots are again picked to finish in 3rd place with Maisie and Emme making the preseason All-WCC team.

https://portlandpilots.com/news/2024/10/16/womens-basketball-burnham-shearer-make-all-wcc-preseason-team-pilots-picked-third-in-preseason-poll.aspx

Media Day in Las Vegas...

Hear Coach Meek talk about the culture for Portland basketball, bringing back every player eligible to return ahead of the 2024-25 season.
https://x.com/i/status/1846685361499677138

One last ride for Emme and Maisie... and it's one they're not taking for granted
https://x.com/i/status/1846686957117886775

From playing in an empty arena to in front of 18,000 fans, the experience has grown significantly since Emme Shearer first set foot on The Bluff.
https://x.com/i/status/1846687369682211318

How much is Coach Meek thinking about that upcoming 100th win?
"Well first off, I had no idea."
Don't worry, Coach. Emme will have the celebration ready
https://x.com/i/status/1846687698297540886

I agree the pressure is on the Washington schools and I’d say Oregon State too. The coaching staff and players should be proud of the respect they’re receiving. Being picked in the top 3 with some 1st place votes is not historically normal for our program. The respect has been earned. I’m excited for the start of the season!

RJH, thanks for continuing the conversation,  but I disagree with the assertion that "[a[ll the pressure is on the Washington teams." This is basketball, I doubt players are going to be affected by a poll in October. Those Washington teams have good players and will be tough opponents, whatever the outcome.

Pressure might be more squarely on the Zags with coach Fortier's health, though even that is speculative.

OSU got decimated in the transfer portal, but they too will be tough with very good players remaining, some of whom we unsuccessfully recruited.

Regardless, tipoff is coming. Go Pilots.

WBB is hosting a special Open Practice on Saturday, October 26th 4:30-5:45 in the Chiles Center.

This is your chance to watch the team in action, meet the players and coaches, get autographs and get a behind-the-scenes look at the hard work the team is putting in.

Who are the two in the back standing on boxes?

Geezaldinho wrote:Who are the two in the back standing on boxes?

Chairs, actually...