Portland @ SMC 1/16/10 7:00

So this is another VERY big game if we want a shot at 1st or 2nd in the conference. Again the Gaels lost Patty Mills and Diamon Simpson, but still managed a pretty solid OOC record (Although the competition was slightly suspect). So this year it's basically the Omar Samhan and a bunch of shooters show (at least of what I've watched). You CANNOT give these guys open perimeter looks, they will punish severely if given the opportunity. Omar isn't exactly blessed overwhelmingly athletically (Credit card hops is the best description) but the kid is damn crafty, has some nice post move, and knows how to use his width accordingly. And you better believe Mesa's favorite Gael Mickey McConnell will NOT want to lose this game to his buddy Kramer.

That said, this game is going to be a showdown, the Pilots will need to leave it all out on the floor, especially in the intimidating high school grade gym that is McKeon Pavillion (Although from what I understand there are plans for renovation/expansion underway by the same firm that designed the War Memorial renovation at USF). Devensive rebounds and tight perimeter defense are going to be paramount if we want to pick up a tough road win in Moraga.



Television:
CSN Northwest AND CSN California

Online:

UP Audio (Starts around 6:30)

Live Stats (Link should be available around tipoff)

Well, Samham got something like 32 points and 12 boards last night against Gonzaga - so he may have improved his game a bit. Actually, just watching the highlights, I thought it looked like he dropped some weight since last year, which may be helping him in the athlete column.

Reading SMC's board a bit, it looks like perimeter defense may be key to slowing down the Gaels. I would think that between Kramer, Robin, and Luke we'd be able to D-up Samham a bit (although, I would have thought HArris and Sacre could as well).

You're right though. Big game. Let's play some defense, roubound the basketball, make our free throws, and come home with another win!!

Oh he's definitely improved, but he's more of a smart, crafty player than an athlete like Harris or Diamon Simpson. From seeing some of the game last night, he's quicker with his post moves, and really good at finding post position. Think of it as a mastery of "old man basketball." Albeit old man bball in a 6'11" 265 pound package... so it's really effective.

Could Jasonn play effective minutes against Samhan?

Hopefully. But Samhan is pretty adept in the post, I'm not sure if Jasonn has the quickness to keep up with him. That said, Jasonn has 5 fouls and you better believe as long as he isn't getting abused by Omar, Jasonn will be employing all 5 of them... I think the best thing we can do is rotate players against him, for example rotate Luke in to give a different look (Seeing how well Luke did on Garcia earlier it might be wise, even though Garcia is much more perimeter oriented). Also Omar, in the past, has been prone to foul happiness AND he can be a hotheaded so be sure that might come in to play.

Jasonn might be most effective as part of a double-team against Omar. Foul trouble would be nice, let's pound it inside and see what happens.

Last night was the first SMC ball I've seen this year and I've gotta say: Dellevedova (sp??) has put up some nice numbers this year but he is one goofy-looking guy!

ShipstadPilot11 wrote:Could Jasonn play effective minutes against Samhan?

Hmmmm, a Jasonn-Omar high jump competition would be entertaining...

Unfortunately, I dont think so. Omar is quicker and more agile than Jasonn; where I think Jasonn could be effective is to play some minutes and foul Omar a few times--knock him around a little. Omar is a much smarter player this year, and not nearly as hot of a head as previous years, and unfortunately not as "frustration foul" prone.

I think the game will be won/lost from the 3-point line... Both sides are strong from downtown... hopefully Jared will figure prominently!

Kramer is he man for the job. He can get to work defending and annoying Samham, then give him that ol Kramer grin. That'll get Samham fired up and into foul trouble!

Haha I was gonna say, Kramer is the best at bringing out the worst in opponents...

But yeah, the teams are a mirror image of each other, strong perimeter play with one post scorer (ours being Robin as of late). I think this is a game when we will really need the likes of Ethan and Luke to really step up playing strong defense on the perimeter and knocking down open jumpers.

I think Jasonn will be effective with his 5 fouls. I just hope we don't have to get to that point because that means either Kramer, Luke, or Robin is in foul trouble .

One thing I know is Samhan(Even with his weight loss) cannot keep up with either of our three big's from one end to the other of the court.I'm all for making him run, and going right at him when he's on Defense. They just cant let him get the easy entry pass when he is on Offense or it will be a Big John from Santa Clara repeat 30 pts-20 rebounds performance. I believe Nik, Ethan and the other Pilots who are not behind him need to really, really help out without giving up easy 3's outside. I am pretty sure he will get his 20-10 unless he's playing awful. UP just cant let the aussie kid or Mickey go off for 25 plus points or the Pilots are in trouble.

Hopefully Samhan can pick up a quick foul or two but we don't have the luxury of "Big Game" Dave in their gym so that's doubtful.Darn it, when is he going to develop his Protege' so we can get some bad calls to benefit us on the road in the WCC.

I really like the look of their team. Mill's always looked like a ball hog even though he wasn't because he was so dominant over kid's his own age 20-21 yr olds. I do miss watching Diamond Simpson playing for them, he was fun to watch rebound shots.


Go Pilots,

MesaPilot1

Join us in the Pilot Nation Chatbox during the game: LINK

Very tough loss. Had a chance towards the end, but Ethan's shot probably wasn't the one they needed only down 2. That said, Ethan had a very good game on both sides of the court.

It's clear from the box score that the 3's and Samhan saved St. Mary's. Their only non-Samhan 2-pointer in the 2nd half was McConnell's desparation shot at the buzzer. But the same defense that forced Samhan to constantly kick the ball out in the first half wasn't there. He got a bunch of easy shots, got in a rhythm and then started making the 14 footers. The help wasn't there, probably because the other guys were skittish about leaving their men too open.

My view:
- Ethan - very nice game. hit a couple of important 3's. held his man in check most of the night
- Robin - a beast of a game. was never intimidated. hit his free throws. only problem was that he couldn't stop Samhan when the lineup was Robin, TJ, Jared, Ethan and Nick.
- Nik - very solid, especially controlling in the first half. played within himself.
- TJ - ok. certainly had his moments, but missed a couple open shots. more importantly, he wasn't able to apply the pressure to cause TOs. they constantly ran the high screen in the 2nd half and it worked. also, hard to tell from my vantage point if it was a charge or block, but the foul with 2.7 secs in the first half isn't one to take.
- Kramer - solid first half, but disappeared on both ends afterwards. he needs to offer more on the offensive side to get playing time.
- Jared - Saint Mary's wasn't going to leave him alone and he just couldn't find daylight. His 2 made 3's came on a tough shot and a serious screen on #4 down low that freed him. Other than that, he was a non-factor. Took an ill-advised fadeaway in first half too.
- Luke - Nice drop step for a big bucket in 2nd half. Wasn't the force he usually is.
- Taishi - Nothing positive or negative in his short time.
- Jasonn- Just really pains me to see him in struggle. His minutes aren't good and has very costly turnovers. He had a nice block, but he's a liability out there.

I'd say that refs favored St. Mary's, but you have to expect that in their gym. Rev kept looking for hand check / holding calls that weren't being called.

I just want to add that Robin had two very very good games on this trip. He was matched up with two NBA type players and had a lot of success on the offensive end. Even on defense he did a great job on both Sacre and Samhan, those two are solid players and Robin more than held his own. Great job Robin, keep up the effort.

Also love the hustle and work ethic from Ethan, what a fun blue collar type guy to watch.

It's interesting how people view things, I thought Nik was AWOL this game. He looked totally frustrated the whole game , save one or two good plays toward the end. He appeared even more uptight because of the poor game he had at USD. Oh well, it's all subjective and one stretch of games Robin plays well, another Nik, it doesn't matter as long as Rev leads the Pilots to victory.

That's why I have a hard time critiquing the players. Unless it was something obvious like Ito's shooting slump that damaged the team all of last year,thank goodness that is over. Except the one air ball last night.

Robin looked very good last night. The announcers also liked Luke's game and were wondering if he might try to get more involved offensively.

I would agree with stanpilot, Samhan was able to get the ball more in the second half because the defense was worried about the outside shooters.

I can't wait to get these guys back in our place. February 13 is going to be a good one.