Portland v. Gonzaga: Last Four Games

Now, let me preface this by saying that I realize Gonzaga beat us at home and that these types of comparisons really don't mean anything. However, I do think it's fair to say that without a doubt Portland has been playing much better basketball the past two weeks than Gonzaga. And we've been doing it without our leading scorer. I know the Zags like to complain about how the teams they face are totally jacked up to play Gonzaga, but that line of reasoning only goes so far with me... every team wants to win every game, no matter who they are playing. Yes, maybe it's more exciting to play a ranked team, but it's not like they don't care about playing us or haven't scouted and prepared for us.

OK... now the numbers.

LMU
Portland 79-39 (+40)
Gonzaga 85-69 (+16)
Advantage: Portland +24

Pepperdine
Portland 80-64 (+16)
Gonzaga 91-84 (+7)
Advantage: Portland +9

Santa Clara
Portland 74-52 (+18)
Gonzaga 71-64 (+7)
Advantage: Portland +11

San Francisco
Portland 74-58 (+16)
Gonzaga 77-81 (-4)
Advantage: Portland +20

Combined, Portland has outscored its past four opponents by 64 more points than Gonzaga. Even taking out the LMU blowout, we've outscored the other three opponents by 40.

Especially notable is how good our defense has been... we allowed those four teams to score 85 less points than Gonzaga did.

Now, do I think that this means the game up in Spokane will be a cakewalk? Of course not. But I do think we've been playing some damn good basketball the past two weeks... better basketball than the Zags, if you ask me.

Thursday night will be a dog fight, but it's also an amazing opportunity. Here's hoping we keep this streak of hot play alive and go up there and just play our game. Good things might happen!

Yes our defense has been incredible. I know others have noticed how well our Defense has been the last 4 games.

If our defense is good thurs. night I believe it will be a wonderful game.


MesaPilot1

I will be there on Thursday to give it my all and hopefully to see a Pilot victory. I'd like to thank the generosity of my connection for getting me tickets.

Even though it's a road game, you've got to like our chances...

Stonehouse wrote:However, I do think it's fair to say that without a doubt Portland has been playing much better basketball the past two weeks than Gonzaga.

Someone else agrees

http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/sportslink/2010/feb/01/media-day-roundup/#comments

Few was asked about Portland, which visits Thursday. “We better play really good. They’re playing better than we are. They’ve been on the road and handled guys fairly easily. They’re a veteran crew, a very physical crew, worked us over inside last time, but we were playing really good basketball at that time and we were able to keep them at arm’s length that whole game.”

Game day: Portland at No. 17 Gonzaga
Pilots senior guard T.J. Campbell ready to "buckle down" for stretch run

GAME DAY!!!! Let's do this!!

Love it! I'm nervous too. I think I'll eat pizza for lunch to try and cure that.