2024 Pilot Non-Conference Games

Geezaldinho wrote:Look at it this way…

We have plenty of room to grow.

To add some perspective, the Portland Trail Blazers lost at home to Memphis, 134-89, on Sunday...and I doubt the Blazers are playing as many first-year guys at UP.

I think most will agree, UP has talented players on the court, but they are going to have to gain some individual and team experience before they begin to win.  

On the road against #22 Oregon will be an experience...

With all of the (fair) caveats - young, inexperienced, developing chemistry, early season, etc. etc. I will say that the main disappointment to me from Saturday's game was that many of the issues seemed to be the same as we've consistently seen over the last few years - not winning 50/50 balls, not rebounding, allowing too many wide open looks, beat in transition, etc. Will be interested and watching to see how the team develops/hopefully(?) improves in these areas as the season progresses

32-21 at the half.

Who are these guys?

Geezaldinho wrote:32-21

Who are these guys?

Praying they keep it up

Missed freethrows and a turnover at the end. We should have won this game already

why can't this fan base have any fun

Classic Pilots. I got home and turned on the game with about 8 minutes left and the Pilots up by 13. My immediate gut reaction was that we would lose. I’ve been conditioned over the years to sense the Pilots’ imminent, inevitable collapses. I’m surprised we held on to get it to OT.

I’m actually encouraged. Compared to the first game the Pilots have made huge strides. They never trailed in regulation, and could have pulled it out by just making a free throw late.

They have a ways to go, but I expected another UCSB blowout.
They could actually compete with some more experience.

A ref catching that a duck player was out of bounds wouldn’t have hurt, either.

Post-game radio with Coach Legans: https://vocaroo.com/1bEPH2JxJGvh

Sigh. Battered Pilot Syndrome is a real thing.

I suppose if they hadn't banked two 3s, it wouldn't have gone to overtime.

StudentPilot wrote:The team is now #312, 51 spots below USD, the team above them, and 309 spots below GU.

The Pilots are now #299, 27 spots below USD.

The team's next game is at #241 Long Beach St. on Saturday at 5 o'clock.  

The Beach lost by one point, 80-79, on the road to a very good South Dakota St. team last Friday and plays at USF tonight.

For now, LBSU is favored by 6 over UP.

I was impressed with our performance last night. We were one free-throw away from beating a very good team on their home court. This was an amazing improvement from the UCSB game. We have an exceptionally young team this year. It was expected that the team would take some time to develop. I think we will be quite competitive when league play starts.

I was pleasantly surprised that the game was close, but I wouldn't say I was impressed with the performance. We shot 37.5% from the field and turned it over 16 times. Zero inside offense, despite having some size on the roster. As with past years, the Legans' big man corps only participates in the offense by firing off three-point attempts. For the three bigs who played -- Rapp, Ballisager Webb and Oakman -- 10 of their 13 shot attempts were beyond the arc, and they made a combined total of zero two-point baskets.

I think the close game was mostly the result of UO underperforming. They only shot 22% on threes.

Maybe I missed it earlier... Where's Bol Dengdit? Another big guy who could be out there heaving threes!

NoPoNeighbor wrote:As with past years, the Legans' big man corps only participates in the offense by firing off three-point attempts. For the three bigs who played -- Rapp, Ballisager Webb and Oakman -- 10 of their 13 shot attempts were beyond the arc, and they made a combined total of zero two-point baskets.

Todd Jones started at Center. Sure, he is 'only' 6'9" but his game definitely resembles that of a big - he had 10 pts (all from 2 pt range/near the rim) and 10 rebounds, 4 of them offensive rebounds. So yeah, another big aimlessly chucking.

On a good note Chris Austin hit the 1000 points with his 11 point performance against UO. Definitely a nice accomplishment after all he has gone through.

Pilot14 wrote:Todd Jones started at Center. Sure, he is 'only' 6'9" but his game definitely resembles that of a big - he had 10 pts (all from 2 pt range/near the rim) and 10 rebounds, 4 of them offensive rebounds. So yeah, another big aimlessly chucking.

Sorry, but my cut-off for "big" is 6'10". Jones doesn't count.
Just kidding. You make a good point, Pilot14. Thanks.

NoPoNeighbor wrote:Maybe I missed it earlier... Where's Bol Dengdit? Another big guy who could be out there heaving threes!

Sounds like a DTD knee injury according to this account. Briggs is out for the season.

https://x.com/SSN_Portland/status/1857482290093502834

StudentPilot wrote:

StudentPilot wrote:The team is now #312, 51 spots below USD, the team above them, and 309 spots below GU.

The Pilots are now #299, 27 spots below USD.
The team's next game is at #241 Long Beach St. on Saturday at 5 o'clock.  
The Beach lost by one point, 80-79, on the road to a very good South Dakota St. team last Friday and plays at USF tonight.
For now, LBSU is favored by 6 over UP.

Long Beach is led by former 5 star recruit Devin Askew from Mater Dei, Kentucky, Texas, & Cal. 19.7pts, 5.3ast

Also, by TJ Wainwright a transfer from Robert Morris. 17.3pts, 2.7reb

Freshman Kam Martin is also averaging 10pts on 66% FG

NoPoNeighbor wrote:Maybe I missed it earlier... Where's Bol Dengdit? Another big guy who could be out there heaving threes!

Bol has missed the last two games with a "strained knee," and is considered "day-to-day."

Redshirt Freshman Kelson Gebbers, who was expected to be part of the rotation, has not played yet this season due to back problems, but he seems to be moving better and is also "day-to-day," I am told.

Unfortunately, Australian freshman Carlin Briggs is out for the entire season after an ACL injury just a couple of weeks ago.

LolPilots spared tonight by the basketball gods this time.

Sound Voltex wrote:LolPilots spared tonight by the basketball gods this time.

They had me scared for a second

You can certainly see the talent, but they only put it together as a team a few minutes at a time.  Yesterday’s game looked just like what it was - two teams expected to put finish 8th in their conferences.  We’re better than that.

Didn't see or hear the game, but looking at the box score I noticed:
Bol Dengdit played 9 minutes;
Ballisager-Webb played 10 minutes with one made 3P and no rebounds;
Pilots missed 6 FTs, 4 by Chris Austin (3-7); Rapp made all 3 of his FT attempts;
Oakman did not play, anyone know why?

Sound Voltex wrote:LolPilots spared tonight by the basketball gods this time.

UP24 wrote:They had me scared for a second

WRV wrote:If there is a clutch player on this team, time to step up.

I see why you guys were worried.  Pilots took an 8 point lead with 3:26 left.  Then, according the ESPN play-by-play
LBSU got an offensive rebound followed by a 2P basket
Pilots miss
LBSU got four offensive rebounds followed by a 2P basket
Pilots miss, get blocked, turnover
LBSU misses 2 FTs
Pilots miss
LBSU gets a 2P basket
Pilots miss FT
LBSU misses 3P at the buzzer

Yikes, glad I didn't see that.