Stoney,Nut,Geezer,etc I have a question

Why don't Pilot Fans think the Pilots are the odds on favorite to contend for the WCC title. I'm just curious why UP has this self-effacing act when it comes to the team to the North. Down here some of the best Basketball games of the year are ASU-Arizona games. ASU was always very competive at least in the two games played long before James Harden was born to current day play.Believe me the Zags could not even carry the Arizona Wildcats jockstrap over their last 25 yr run with Lute and others lately.(I don't care what u say Stonehouse, AZ plays in Pac 10 not WCC {TEE HEE,} conference. Not to mention the NCAA title) there's no debate who's consistently a better team over the last 25 years. Not to mention how much talent the Wildcats have developed into top-flight pros Morrison--Richard Jefferson,Pargo--Mike Bibby, Crybaby Daye--4 or 5 wildcat forwards Frenche le fewGS Warriors.....Sean Elliot and on and on....... , Stockton played on weeeeaak ncaa teams so long ago the guy's as old as me so end of that debate Unless one wants to bring up George Mikan it's only a few decades earlier... Steve Kerr 6 NBA Championship rings ,Stockton ZERO and that's what the NBA's about rings just ask Charles Barkley...... got another hr while I look at the Wildcat BB Alumni, heh .. However back to my original point , in AZ. the Sun Devils of ASU approach every year not in fear but in confidence what they will do during their BB season. Believe me it doesn't always pan out,lol.

It seems like there's this losing attidude of the fans,student body that the Pilots will not ever compete at a high level in D-1 BB.THIS, IN MY OPINION WILL CAUSE REV TO LEAVE THE PILOTS IN THE FUTURE, NOT STANFORD,NOT $$$, Do you think he really wants to uproot his two small children when their in grade school in the near future??? I wonder what Avina thought of his support is another challenge I have to current Pilot fans.



Maybe it's a Catholic thing but I know for a fact when the PILOT'S play UCLA, at the Kennel or in Moraga, or anywhere outside Chiles they will not be carrying all that guilt,shame, etc from the past. JM Experience from talking with current Pilot players. I like the looks of this team sometimes its the chemistry and experience.TJ and Nik all the way"""


Your Turn....Just a diatribe during a slow fall waiting for college BB to start don't take it personal or in a bad light, were all pilotsfans some of us just post louder and yell louder at the ref's then others


MesaPilot1 [b

So ASU always approaches the season with (over)confidence? How's that working out for them?

I don't know where Pilot fans were surveyed about the season prospects. I'm sure that most of us are excited about the opportunities that are available. But I am not prepared to declare "odds-on favorite" status until I see some results on the court.

Meantime, while everyone else goes bonkers about WSOC, at least you and I are thinking about the MBB season to come, Mesa. Love the enthusiasm!

up7587 wrote:So ASU always approaches the season with (over)confidence? How's that working out for them?

I don't know where Pilot fans were surveyed about the season prospects. I'm sure that most of us are excited about the opportunities that are available. But I am not prepared to declare "odds-on favorite" status until I see some results on the court.

Meantime, while everyone else goes bonkers about WSOC, at least you and I are thinking about the MBB season to come, Mesa. Love the enthusiasm!

when Dean Smith was congratulated about an NCAA Championship, he just said UNC was a women's soccer school and he was just trying to keep up.

I don't think anybody was cheering more than Rev on Friday night. From his Tweet:

Great night last night at womens soccer. Team looked really good and student section was rocking! Love to see the school spirit... 6:27 AM Aug 29th

You guys are really comfortable as being know as a Women's Soccer school. I wonder what Jack Avina would think of you guys now. Or for that matter Nik's dad or some of the other players from the better teams produced by Portland. For risk of being slapped by my 17 yr daughter, your not serious are you? Give me a break a Lacrosse player gone soft????

Geez you didn't think you were gonna get off that easy when thinking that one of the smallest,toughest, most competive's centers to play on Stanford teams wants his community to equate UP athletics with womens sports? That's insane what kinda job security is that. Well I guess you are a little north of Mendicito in CALI

Do you guys wear pink ribbons in your hair to the soccer match's?

Cross-Country Rules, and besides that NASCAR is far more popular sport in America if you want to go that route will set up a little track on the perimeter of the bluff.(Just thought I'd throw that sentence in there to throw you off,lol)

Oh UP7587 someday you'll have to take me fishin' in Oregon.

Congrats to the Women Pilot's on their excellent start to the season , I just hope some Pilot fans are not too overconfident. All the games have been regionally,and I have a feeling there will quite a few teams gunnin' for UP kinda like teams gun for Gonzaga in WCC Play and occ (Memphis,teehee).

Don't ever compare Dean Smith to a more than average coach. Who would want to quote him. The guy with Jordans , Worthy's, Perkins, way on back through previous decades. He didn't coach , he threw the ball into the middle of the floor at practice, and went back to his office to have a cigarette.

It is an insult to even compare him to Roy William's,Coach K. etc ed nauseum.......I have been following college bb for 37 yrs in person and you are the first person I have ever enteracted with who was that out of touch with what his "true" legacy is. Don't start pulling up internet articles I'm talking to people who knew , dealt with him . Not some Oregonian newspaper article or some obscure blogger geez wants to find. Stick to Lacrosse and Womens soccer on that "cutesey" little Dean Smith quote.














Rev at least works for his salary at UP, mark my words if the only support he gets from winning is 2500-3000 fans in the arena and Larry Williams giving him raises he will move on in the next 5 yrs. California to suceed Monty, Oregon, hmmm, Stanford when and should they fire Dawkins for being the poor coach he's been so far, (the guy had a heck of a game at Duke though).


Portland fans it's time to start supporting the Men's and Women's BB team. There are sports at the University after the Womens NCAA's and Men's XC's titles are decided in the fall.


Black Bart aka Mesa

PS -btw when did Mesa ever,ever,ever,ever ever say fans should not support fall sports including Womens Soccer? I don't particularlly care for soccer(to slow--moving watch NCAA Men and Women's Hockey now that's a game) yet I'm in total support of Womens's sports, Title 9 when it passed, I was a regionally recognized XC runner in the late 70's in the Midwest ( so I guess that goes without saying my interest in Rob's teams).

up7587 wrote:So ASU always approaches the season with (over)confidence? How's that working out for them?

I don't know where Pilot fans were surveyed about the season prospects. I'm sure that most of us are excited about the opportunities that are available. But I am not prepared to declare "odds-on favorite" status until I see some results on the court.

Meantime, while everyone else goes bonkers about WSOC, at least you and I are thinking about the MBB season to come, Mesa. Love the enthusiasm!

2 NCAA appearences in last 10 years, Eddie House world champion Celtics, James Harden Lottery pick, i guess with their limited tallent pool in the past pretty darn good . I can tell you this head to head theyve challenged and beat far more top twenty teams through the years then even the Sainted GOOgleZags who play (or should I say have the unfortunate disadvantage) in the painty waisted , WCC conference not a real conference like the Pac Ten. I guess its working real good when you compare their revenue's to the Portland Pilots. The bb team gross's more than every Pilot Sports team PUT TOGETHER.

What do you for bait with in thhe NW or do you just fly fish. I luv your enthusiasm outside of you , geez, the mods, some people on this board are afraid to say one wrong word lest they not be invited to their mothers house for Sunday dinner. I guess I am going to have to Mark Aquirre(remember him Depaul and Dallas long befor Stonehouse was out of Diapers, lol...what a stud he was,) I mean accuire (sp) an alterego for thes season when the bandwagoners start posting again if and when the Pilot's start attracting regional attentiion in BB.


Purple with a tinge of black till I die


Black Bart aka Mesa

So -Black Bart.

I was at the tournament last year. I didn't see you there (although you saw me). Wasn't your excuse that you had to wash your hair or something?

It's easy to support a team when they have a chance of winning, but having watched 10 years of one-and-done, I refuse to get lectured by a guy who three years ago thought Portland was about fog horns and lobster pot wars.

Right now I'm on the bandwagon supporting a Great team on a quest for a third National Championship. It's fun.

When the bball season starts, I'll support whatever team REV puts on the floor.


And find out what brand of cigarrettes Dean smokes. I want to get REV a carton.
I hope it's a good team.

Actually I was tending to a elderly relative if truth be know, ask Nut, but that's beside the point. I sent my 77 yr old mother, 75 yr old father, sister, niece,her friend,nephew his friend, Kramers mom, his dad, and a few other's to support the Pilots.

It is kinda hittin low considering the $$$ I ate and the altruistic reasons why I wasn't there. But I'll let you have a pass on that since only stoney , and nut knew why I was not there.

I wasn't at the Pacific Tourney game either but nobody in Kramer's extended family saw you there or I could have gifted you the $$$ I spent on the ticket and other expenses I ate.

I just cant wait until the soccer team has a match down here in AZ and you fly in for that or a Cross-Country team or maybe that 135 dollars a month I get to pay to watch Pilot games. I'm a common non supporter of the Pilot Athletic programs.I make sure to run the other way when I'm at the Chiles and see Nicole or someone else from the Athletic Dept.

Why don't you put your big hot money and support behind the board and donate to it???? YOU SURE USE IT ENOUGH!!! I'm sure Nut,Sci FI, Rob's Jacket could arrange a matching donation to mine just run it by Nut what I gave a month last year


I still likeyou you old cus, cant wait to see you in Feb


Your Buddy, Brand new to the Pilot's BASKETBALL team Bart

I think that people are just being objective when they say we aren't the odds on favorite, Mesa. I think we're clearly one of the top 2-3 teams in the conference, and we have an advantage experience wise. But, Gonzaga just reloads, and we aren't there yet. Our pointguard has more regular season experience, for example, but, theirs has hit a game-winning shot in the NCAA tourney against a team that beat Louisville last year.

I love the team and I believe in our team and at the same time I won't drink the Kool-Aid...especially with how much tougher our schedule is this season. We have to prove it all over again.

Thanks for the nice response. I have never been involved in any athletic team where it matters how long your a season-ticket holder or one of the good ol boy club to PROVE that your a true fan.

Finally a voice in the wilderness of Seattle , a voice of reason and sanity. I was just trying to make a few pts but you know me Navigator(Wev'e since patched it up,I'd luv to hear more from him) and a few other guys last yr (WRV) blew gaskets on me too. I know you received that kinda treatment sometimes from afformentioned. It must have just hit the old Geez in a raw nerve, I do recall him having to backtrack on a few conclusions and appoligize for misunderstanding what was being written last year to another Heckraiser like me.

At least we have guys as imformed as Geez to keep us up to date on the Total Scene even if he doesn't always get his nap in every day at the retirement village.Plus alot of these guys are so new to computers that they think their expert's like my dear ol 75 yr dad or their affraid and hang around the edges of the site when I know I would value their opinion or comments. Heck, Stoney post's alot and I'm still not sure if he has a puter, or has ever owned one. Gosh I luv ol Stoney,now thats one old "soul" in that young man.

Thanks for answering my question, that's all I really wanted, I glad I did not have to get my secret decoder ring from you James to get an answweerr. I know your a Huge UP Womens soccer fan so thank you for taking time out of your busy, rooting day or should I say last nite rooting day to pip in. I figure ur about right onwith the prediction.


I guess a newbee Portland Pilot BB Fan wont be asking anymore challenging ???'s




MesaPilot1

Geezaldinho wrote:So -Black Bart.

I was at the tournament last year. I didn't see you there (although you saw me). Wasn't your excuse that you had to wash your hair or something?

It's easy to support a team when they have a chance of winning, but having watched 10 years of one-and-done, I refuse to getlectured by a guy who three years ago thought Portland was aboutfog horns and lobster pot wars.

Right now I'm on the bandwagon supporting a Great team on a quest for a third National Championship. It's fun.

When the bball season starts, I'll support whatever team REV puts on the floor.


And find out what brand of cigarrettes Dean smokes. I want to get REV a carton. I think you have had enough cigs Geez, and Rev doesnt need any from Mendincito in CALI , Rick Pitino's got the current scandal in college bb. Rick Pitino the Bill Clinton of College Basketball "I did not have sex in that restraunt after closing " "Define sex, no it wasn't sex, it's all the media's fault!"
I hope it's a good team.

Your good with those retorts, keep un comming during the lazy days of summer, bart.

MesaPilot1 wrote:Why don't Pilot Fans think the Pilots are the odds on favorite to contend for the WCC title.

I think most people here agree that we should be the team challenging GU for the league title this year... period.

mesapilot1 wrote:It seems like there's this losing attidude of the fans,student body that the Pilots will not ever compete at a high level in D-1 BB.THIS, IN MY OPINION WILL CAUSE REV TO LEAVE THE PILOTS IN THE FUTURE, NOT STANFORD,NOT $$$

Mesa, I think there is a long engrained "ignorance" to the men's hoops team due to the decades of poor performance... and we have had a couple supposed "big years, next year" where we fell flat on our faces... so most fans outside of the current season ticket holders dont truely yet understand/know the quality product that will be on the floor next year, and have heard this song before (but granted, previously the anticipationn wasn't as deserved as this year). It frustrates me to no end, but I understand how we got here.

The Athletic Dept. has been doing some good marketing recently, including those Wally Pilot postcards to get the word out about everyone we have coming back... there is a lot going on in the background. But in reality, it is just going to take some consistent winning on the court--particularly some big games outside of Chiles Center (aka 76 Classic)--for the fire to catch on. You can't flip the switch overnight with those who have not been paying attention recently... but there is a buzz around campus this season, and I am confident that the swarm of support is coming... we are just going to have to win some more games first. The proof is in the pudding.

Thanks for the feed back Pilotnut, another voice of moderation.

I'm still waiting for Geez's donation, that's one thing I will not retreat about.


I guess I've just been fortunate to be associated with winning athletic programs, not apathetic fans, you make total logic with your statement.

I'll still support the BB team if their 9-22 this year. I don't have to have my team's win national championships to support them.

Mesa, first off, i agree that Pilot Basketball does not get the respect it deserves from a lot of the Pilot community. However, I've learned that there are many Pilot faithful out there that are extremely committed and overly confident year after year.

That being said, i found a couple of your statements a bit harsh, but maybe thats what you were going for. First of all, the comments about women's soccer was interesting to me. As a student, i only started following the pilots about 4 years ago, and i had a similar thought about women's soccer. But then i came to Merlo, and my perception changed. These women work their butts off, playing year round, playing for the US national teams, and they are unbelievably good. And most of the Pilot community are extermely proud of them, as well as excited about the possibilities for the year.

As for the basketball team, there are a ton of people jumping on the bandwagon. I think you're asking why aren't people as "over-confident" about the basketball team as they are about the women's soccer team. Its because of the culture of the basketball program. We don't have that culture here. Its the same reason why a lot of years Duke is over-rated, and mid-majors have trouble getting high seeds. We are just not use to it. I have no idea when the last time we thought we could contend for a conference title was. Its unfair to compare our program or situation to a big state school in a power conference. I think that fans are confidant. More confidant then i have ever seen them. So lets just wait for the season to start before we start calling people out and pointing fingers at each other.


As for the students, its a difficult transition for some students. a lot of them grow up as UO or OSU fans so when they come here, its new to them to cheer for a new team. every year when we play gonzaga red shirts pop up in the student section, gladly i'd like to say that its fewer and fewer each year. BUt its hard to swing them to the pilots side. Its a work in progress Mesa. we're not going to build a solid fan base overnight, and thats what I personally have been working on the past few years. And each year it gets a little easier to get people to "drink the kool-aid" if you will. One day i hope ESPN will feature our fans for dedication and routiness during the basketball season as they have during the soccer season, but that may take a while.

remember we are all Pilot fans and we all want to see one thing. Thats for all of our teams to have success, we want to be proud of all of our athletic programs.

Sorry PP13 if you think I'm harsh, just not a big women's soccer fan. Have you ever seen a Womens NCAA Hockey game I think you might be impressed a little more by their athletism, skill than running around on a field kicking and settin a ball, try that at about 5X the speed and on Ice with skates on and other women checking you.

I don't have a problem in the soccer program, just not interested. In my generation the soccer team was for the guys who were not talented enough to make the football,basketball, or track teams. They choose either soccer or golf or tennis,lacrosse(could'nt resist geez sorry). Because they couldn't hang with the studs and they were usually "cut" in the major sports,heck they couldn't even hang with the cross country guys. Heck, back in my day we didn't all get trophys for getting last place in our youth soccer,swim, or basketball league like has been destroying youth sports teams over the last couple of decades. I'm sure the women pilots are exciting just not at all to me. Thats why in all my posts I don't venture over to new David Bechum sport I stick with major sports. I guess you could call me a traditionalist. But I guarantee you both Nik and TJ could do quite well at soccer if the had choosen that sport. I highly doubt the best basketball playing soccer player in the NW could make the Pilot's current Basketball team. As much as you might disagree soccer is not a major sport in the USA. Football,Basketball, Hockey and Baseball are. The soccer moms have had their chance to change that over the last 20 plus years so i don't anticipate it happening in the near future in Men's Athletic's. Just some facts to think about, not harsh statements. I think PilotNut,geez ,James , and UP realize I say some of my statements "tongue in cheek" and they enjoy a crabby ol basketball tradionalist who doesnt appologize for the BB teams recent and hopefully continued sucess.

Gdod luck this year on the sideline and I know you'll be a fine replalacemnt for Clay leading the student cheers


whats the fine for being on the soccer field ? Whats the fine for playin ball at the chiles center in pickup games, Zero dollars? Sounds like a little elitism to me???? That's probably why soccer will never be accepted by the American Public as well as the major sport's are. TOO stuffy!!!! Don't think I'm condoning every team in Portland to use the field as their practice field, that would be ridiculous


MesaPilot1...Off to the medicine cabinet UP,lol

Meh, I think I hold hockey in the same esteem you hold soccer Mesa, but it's hard to really get into a sport when there is really no pro team, and it's not like there is every really a place around here you can just go play outside...
Haha when I was in HS the soccer players always used to destroy the football game... haha and at their own version of football no less, and our football team was top 5 in state (alibeit the soccer team was #3 nationally, but whatever)

Anyway I think the reasons for the women's soccer team being followed so closely has a lot to do with their on field success (2 national championships at the smallest D-1 school to ever win a title, that will get you a few fans) and the fact that the program was built upon one of the more beloved coaches in college soccer (Think Coach K of soccer, and that is not an exaggeration). On top of that the WSoc program gets a LOT of support from the community not even associated with the University, and the city of Portland has bequeathed itself as "Soccer City USA" so it really isn't that much of a surprise that the women's team would get support (plus you gotta remember they have been fielding teams with literally some of the best players in the country, if not the world) Anyway back to basketball, because that was the original topic...

As has been stated the team, until recently has been in a state of complete disarray... Disastrous coaching decisions, questionable recruiting and academic issues have plagued the program ever since the last tourney appearance. On top of that for a long time there was a general complete lack of attention by the administration to the men's bball program, which literally let it fall apart. Honestly, living up in Tacoma I didn't even know UP existed until I started looking for colleges, I didn't know they had a basketball team, but I knew who Clive Charles was, I knew who Kasey Keller was and was shocked to find out they were associated with the school was applying for.

The administration has been doing a great job of showing a dedication to the men's bball program, I realizing what an opportunity such a high profile sport is (Just look at what success has done up at the School that Must Not be Named...) As soon as i got to the school i became a full fledged pilot fan, especially for basketball (after playing soccer for so long, I was burned out completely...). I was part of that group of 10 that for my first 3 years there were literally the only fans standing, followed by 6-7 empty rows and then sparse seating and polite Wimbeldon applause after that. The teams were just not good, we had great players (Pooh, Donald, Coky Rochin hee hee), but questionable coaching at best. It wasn't until my Sr. year when we decided to get proactive and form Purple Pride that we started getting people more interested in the games (that was a lot of grass roots effort... haha and a lot of beer...). It was great to see the players get fired up with our chants and actually have a little fun at the games, but again... the teams were just not having the on court success that draws in all the students, not to mention the community.

The program and players that you see now, Mesa, are a testament to both the new dedication to the program by the administration and the fantastic job/hard work by Rev and his staff. It's one thing to bring in the students, that can happen easily if a few people take a little initiative, (and, or beer, er I mena refreshments...) but wins are what bring in the surrounding city at large (albeit, Portland is a pretty heavily "alternative" city, which adds a bit of challenge to bringing in fans).

I love the fire, and the enthusiasm that yeah, the pilots can, and will win... I just hate to get a little cocky about it (Haha, but that's what we have you for right??). I mean last year was the first winning season in over a decade, conceptualizing yourself as the odds on favorite, haha it's kind of a new concept...


Aside:
And no I wouldn't dare compare Spokane's finest to that of Tuscon, but the Zags pretty much view Few and his roster as Jesus and the 12 apostles... Haha perhaps we a few more wins under our belts before we start getting delusions of grandeur like our friends up north. (And if you really want to get into arguing about rings like Steve Kerr and Pac 10 vs WCC, haha just don't get in a fight with any of the Don's fans... They have this guy called Russell, I think I heard his name once or twice)
I wo