Stoney,Nut,Geezer,etc I have a question

Thanks for your response. I needed it.

But I don't think I'll be placing any bets on the Pilots to win the NCAA Championship let alone the WCC. I just think thought I would get in the do jo and warm up with a little Gracie JI Jit Zu , and ground and pound from Dan Gable (the greatest wrestler ever to walk the earth), on Geezer(For which I apologize ,but it was fun while he kept responding) in case Angelo or one of "them" wants to enter the site with some abuse for us should we be fortunate to beat them in the Chile's this year. I have to keep my skill's sharp during the off-season, I've already resigned the Kennel, UCLA games as losses along with many other "tough" road games St.Marys, possibly Santa Clara or LMU until the Men can show they can win outside the friendly confines of the Chiles Center.Athletic James is right though this out of conference season is tough and I could see is getting spanked by Oregon at the Chiles and just imagine what the Huskies would like to do this year to return the favor this year. 2nd round game in Thk classic in Anaheim would be a great win but highly doubtful.

I feel good about this team though what they lack in talent outside of Nic and TJ they make up for grit.

BTW when do become the moderator,CONGRAT'S, did u earn the title after your "road trip" to Stockton with Stonehouse and his USF friend,lol. That was one hard way to earn your "stripes". J/k Stoneys a heck of guy and a Sports trivia machine (especially WCC facts) He's just too nice and polite to straighten me out on some of my "wild" facts about the league that I've decided to share.



Over and out....MesaPilot1 aka ???

While i doubt that the Pilots will go undefeated, i think that wins at a "neutral" UCLA and at the kellel are not out of the question. This team has experience which, to me, is the extremely important when playing on the road. Basically i feel confident going into each game that we could pull it off. Very few teams make that a reality, so i'm aware that we probably won't go undefeated but i think that we have a shot in every game, which i don't think Pilot fans have been able to say for a very long time.

Yeah that's the spirit PP13!!! Where I come from they have this statement if you build the team Rev- they will come , (Well that's Cedar Rapids version of underdog team of dreams)

THey meaning the student body like the kids at other schools AS
U (AZ State U) who come for the experience of the "party atmosphere" and by that I don't mean everybody has to be a falling down drunken fool. I'm talking about a "good" time like u and Clay and the rest of you 40-70 young men and women seemed to be having when I've attended games.

But u have to remember I never heard of WCC BB, Bill Russell, Hank Gathers ,Bo Kimble, Steve Nash, Kurt Rambis, John Stockton etc.... according to some people I'd never been to Portland or the Chiles center before 3 yrs ago. Even though I did just happen to stop by in 2001 on my way with my Rhodesian Ridgeback as he competed in the 2001 National Championships in Kirkland ,WA. Stonehouse , and other trivia buffs know which outgoing Zag senior's hometown Mesa was at in 2001.

Keep up the great support of the Pilots,its always great to cheer an underdog than show up on the field for a "sure" thing and become jaded like some fans we know from the North.

Sorry for the delay in responding to this... today is my first day off in about three weeks and I just haven't had the energy to post anything.

To answer your original question, Mesa, I am not boldly predicting the Pilots to win the WCC right now because I haven't seen anybody beat the Zags in the past ten years. The early 2000's Pepperdine team with Alex Acker was the last one to beat the Zags for the WCC crown, and that Waves team was so good they went on to hand Bob Knight his final defeat at Indiana in the Big Dance. I'm no Zag fan by any means, but several times this past decade I have thought they were vulnerable heading into a season, and every time they have proven me wrong. To me, they are like the Atlanta Braves were from the 90s to the mid-2000s... until someone actually beats them, I will always pencil them in at the top spot.

Now, having said all that, do I feel good about UP's chances? You better believe it. Of course, I also felt really good about the Pilots heading into Pooh and Donald's senior year, and look how that turned out. But looking back on that now, the groundwork for a successful season is much more stable and set in place now than it ever was under Holton. Reveno has guys that fit his style, they are incredibly efficient running their offense, they can shoot, they can rebound... I don't know if the Pilots are going to win 25 games, but I can sure as heck guarnatee you that they are going to be a solid, successful, winning team.

But again, you have to remember history here... we're talking about a team that has had one winning season (last year) in 15 years. I'm thrilled to be on the good side of .500, let alone competing for a WCC title. But that doesn't mean I don't have high expectations for the team or am willing to settle for second-best. Of course I want to see the Pilots breaking all kinds of school records and playing in March. But I think Reveno has earned a bit of respect and breathing room... the guy has resurrected UP basketball and built a solid foundation on which (I believe) years of success can grow from. I expect UP basketball to never turn into a punchline again.

Anyway, I'm kind of rambling at this point, but I do see where you're coming from, Mesa. And of course I have private ambitions of beating UCLA and beating the Zags and pulling off an upset in the Big Dance (we totally have the right type of team to pull that off... great three point shooting, good point guard, good rebounding). But I'm also a believer in not getting mouthy until we prove it on the court, so until the final buzzer sounds and the Pilots have more points than the Zags, I'm not quite ready to start predicting that we'll be better than them.

I was a student on the Bluff in the early 80s and have been following the Pilots for 30 years. I think Stonehouse's post sums up my feelings perfectly.

Agreed. Well said, Stonehouse.

Oh, and we miss your posts...

Stonehouse wrote:Sorry for the delay in responding to this... today is my first day off in about three weeks and I just haven't had the energy to post anything.

To answer your original question, Mesa, I am not boldly predicting the Pilots to win the WCC right now because I haven't seen anybody beat the Zags in the past ten years. The early 2000's Pepperdine team with Alex Acker was the last one to beat the Zags for the WCC crown, and that Waves team was so good they went on to hand Bob Knight his final defeat at Indiana in the Big Dance. I'm no Zag fan by any means, but several times this past decade I have thought they were vulnerable heading into a season, and every time they have proven me wrong. To me, they are like the Atlanta Braves were from the 90s to the mid-2000s... until someone actually beats them, I will always pencil them in at the top spot.

Now, having said all that, do I feel good about UP's chances? You better believe it. Of course, I also felt really good about the Pilots heading into Pooh and Donald's senior year, and look how that turned out. But looking back on that now, the groundwork for a successful season is much more stable and set in place now than it ever was under Holton. Reveno has guys that fit his style, they are incredibly efficient running their offense, they can shoot, they can rebound... I don't know if the Pilots are going to win 25 games, but I can sure as heck guarnatee you that they are going to be a solid, successful, winning team.

But again, you have to remember history here... we're talking about a team that has had one winning season (last year) in 15 years. I'm thrilled to be on the good side of .500, let alone competing for a WCC title. But that doesn't mean I don't have high expectations for the team or am willing to settle for second-best. Of course I want to see the Pilots breaking all kinds of school records and playing in March. But I think Reveno has earned a bit of respect and breathing room... the guy has resurrected UP basketball and built a solid foundation on which (I believe) years of success can grow from. I expect UP basketball to never turn into a punchline again.

Anyway, I'm kind of rambling at this point, but I do see where you're coming from, Mesa. And of course I have private ambitions of beating UCLA and beating the Zags and pulling off an upset in the Big Dance (we totally have the right type of team to pull that off... great three point shooting, good point guard, good rebounding). But I'm also a believer in not getting mouthy until we prove it on the court, so until the final buzzer sounds and the Pilots have more points than the Zags, I'm not quite ready to start predicting that we'll be better than them.

This +1000. I'm glad we have someone like Stonehouse on this board to neatly sum up the feelings of everyone.

Sometimes winning is just as much about having a good system as having good players. GU has a proven system that works, and we are still developing ours. Plus, I just think the schedule is much tougher than last year. We need to go out and get the job done. GU has a returning pointguard that won a game-winning shot in the tourney, a promising young center (Sacre), and a solid veteran in Boldin. I just don't see them as a weak team next year. I don't see us as weak either, but, we have to deliver in some big games. We have a team where the sum of the parts is much better than the individual pieces in my opinion, and if we have any critical injuries it could cost us the season. This year the same could be said about Gonzaga. They've clearly lost some depth.

yeah but it aint fair. ye get to write for the pilot scribe during his underclass day's, i didn't. He gets to wait until I stick my neck out there with a few bold statements, then conveiniently "finds" a computer to write poetic prose for every Pilot male athletic fan fron 95' thru current day.

That's not playing on an even "SOCCER fIELD" (could'nt resist). Well RJ at least I know I have most of the old guys on my side. Because we expect results this season, But if it does not pan out I am not planning a protest in front of the Chiles center and Rev's office if he doesnt provide the next step this year. I think Larry Williams is doing just fine supervising him and doesnt need my help.

I'll leave with you this Quote when I met Stonehouse's FATHER this past winter "Ah, so I finally get to met the infamous Mesa". Oh how I luv old guys like Stoneys dad 62 plus. Like the famous old line "OLD GUYS RULE".
In about 20-30 yrs you guys will understand, or one could currently ask Geezer to explain life experience vrs opinion to you guys.
Ive got a little 6'8'' 320 lb newphew who just got his PHD from UT in Austin and teaches Chemistry at the University of Illinois but he still calls me "uncle mesa" , he still differs to me in conversation. I have Life experience's that he has not enjoyed yet and in 1980 was on the roll with the Iowa Hawkeyes as they made the final four with a coach you may have heard of,LUTE,LUTE,LUTE. I attended the games,etc, shared the experience, cried the tears , etc.... You know how old he was -1, I venture to guess that many of previous posters that are so against any more than tempered enthusiam such respectifully RJ were somewhere around -1 when I was attending those NCAA.s

So like my Dear old father told me when he retired at 55 yrs of age and we got in a spirited POLITICAL debate. "Son you ain't changing my mind , I've decided after 31 yrs on the work force as a Mgmt executive supervising over 2000 people and the ability to retire for the rest of my life that I am not taking anymore suggestion's or bright idea's from 26 yr old young men like yourself's"." I've made up my mind, I am now an "unofficial" Supreme Court Justice when it comes to taking Political sugestion's from you Mesa". From that day foward to this day 20 yrs later he has continued to be pretty acurate and I tend to hush up rather than jump up and protest some profetic statement or life experience he shares with me.... not saying all the dribble i post should be taken to heart with out a "AW , I don't think so Mesa...youve lost all your "bean's" now Mesa!!!"

Just a little life lesson that I must share with the 1000+, is that anything like the 1000 points of light....

Now if Stonehouse's Dad or Rob Jacket's dad or Uncle were to post about his feeling's on the current Pilots.......remember "Stoney's dad" was the father who was at the Chiles center when "Little Stoney" was the ballboy, the HS student,etc.... My wax might start draining from my ears.....and the blinders might come off of my eyes......the purple Koolaid might regurgitate out of my mouth.


You know I still like all you guys and nice to get a comment from Ekrauss,


One more from the soccer crew, 1000's more to go for Mesa,


Your fellow Pilot Supporter,


Mesa Pilot1 Aka WhiteBart


PS- Aww, the wax is starting to drain as that old man athletic James posts another point of reference to discuss. Thanks goodness I ate a solid meal with my purple Koolaide,lol. HEY WHERES MY CUSTOM PilotNation SCARF, how many more times do me and james have to ask the question , compadre's??? I've gotta a twenty burning a whole in my wallet.

Btw, when are we allowed to beat on our chest a little this year.

Is it OK if we beat the Huskies, do we have to wait for a Duck win, UCLA win???
A Butler/? WHICH COMBO CAN I CHEER , WHEN CAN I CRY???Tell me when its Ok to start beating my chest???

What if we suffer 7 preseason losses yet win the WCC can I start cheering then??? I just don't want to be too manaical of a Pilot BB fan . It's all in good fun guys,enjoy your day tomorrow!!! Life is sweet ,but remember it's one day at a time.


PilotNation Rules,


MesaPilot1

I also think that thought-provoking posts from Mesa are great too. Makes the site fun.

Mesa, keep it up. I remember back in ought '63 when old Al Negratti was hung in effigy by the Pilot House.

wait...

Am I missing something? Do we play Basketball here on the Bluff?

MesaPilot1 wrote:yeah but it aint fair. ye get to write for the pilot scribe during his underclass day's, i didn't. He gets to wait until I stick my neck out there with a few bold statements, then conveiniently "finds" a computer to write poetic prose for every Pilot male athletic fan fron 95' thru current day.

That's not playing on an even "SOCCER fIELD" (could'nt resist). Well RJ at least I know I have most of the old guys on my side. Because we expect results this season, But if it does not pan out I am not planning a protest in front of the Chiles center and Rev's office if he doesnt provide the next step this year. I think Larry Williams is doing just fine supervising him and doesnt need my help.

I'll leave with you this Quote when I met Stonehouse's FATHER this past winter "Ah, so I finally get to met the infamous Mesa". Oh how I luv old guys like Stoneys dad 62 plus. Like the famous old line "OLD GUYS RULE".
In about 20-30 yrs you guys will understand, or one could currently ask Geezer to explain life experience vrs opinion to you guys.
Ive got a little 6'8'' 320 lb newphew who just got his PHD from UT in Austin and teaches Chemistry at the University of Illinois but he still calls me "uncle mesa" , he still differs to me in conversation. I have Life experience's that he has not enjoyed yet and in 1980 was on the roll with the Iowa Hawkeyes as they made the final four with a coach you may have heard of,LUTE,LUTE,LUTE. I attended the games,etc, shared the experience, cried the tears , etc.... You know how old he was -1, I venture to guess that many of previous posters that are so against any more than tempered enthusiam such respectifully RJ were somewhere around -1 when I was attending those NCAA.s

So like my Dear old father told me when he retired at 55 yrs of age and we got in a spirited POLITICAL debate. "Son you ain't changing my mind , I've decided after 31 yrs on the work force as a Mgmt executive supervising over 2000 people and the ability to retire for the rest of my life that I am not taking anymore suggestion's or bright idea's from 26 yr old young men like yourself's"." I've made up my mind, I am now an "unofficial" Supreme Court Justice when it comes to taking Political sugestion's from you Mesa". From that day foward to this day 20 yrs later he has continued to be pretty acurate and I tend to hush up rather than jump up and protest some profetic statement or life experience he shares with me.... not saying all the dribble i post should be taken to heart with out a "AW , I don't think so Mesa...youve lost all your "bean's" now Mesa!!!"

Just a little life lesson that I must share with the 1000+, is that anything like the 1000 points of light....

Now if Stonehouse's Dad or Rob Jacket's dad or Uncle were to post about his feeling's on the current Pilots.......remember "Stoney's dad" was the father who was at the Chiles center when "Little Stoney" was the ballboy, the HS student,etc.... My wax might start draining from my ears.....and the blinders might come off of my eyes......the purple Koolaid might regurgitate out of my mouth.


You know I still like all you guys and nice to get a comment from Ekrauss,


One more from the soccer crew, 1000's more to go for Mesa,


Your fellow Pilot Supporter,


Mesa Pilot1 Aka WhiteBart


PS- Aww, the wax is starting to drain as that old man athletic James posts another point of reference to discuss. Thanks goodness I ate a solid meal with my purple Koolaide,lol. HEY WHERES MY CUSTOM PilotNation SCARF, how many more times do me and james have to ask the question , compadre's??? I've gotta a twenty burning a whole in my wallet.

I've been away from here way too long. Mesa, I've missed you.

I'll be honest. I expect this team to win 20+ games. I think anything less would be disappointing. I think that anything less than a second place finish would be disappointing. But when you've been a Pilots basketball fan your whole life, you get used to disappointment. We have four (1994-95, 1995-96, 1997-98, 2008-09) winning seasons since 1982 - three of which came during the outrageously disappointing tenure of the owner of my jacket. I've been to ten Gonzaga games, and I've never seen the Pilots beat the Zags.

My grandfather (class of '42) and dad (class of '74), told me from the time I started going to Pilots games, "Now remember, this is a building year." When I was little, I'd ask what we were building to. Dad would usually say something like, "I don't know. But we're building."

Could this be a non-building year? Yes. Can we beat UCLA? Yes. Can we beat Gonzaga? Tentatively, I say yes. But until I actually SEE it happen, I'm just not ready to say this: