Concordia-Irvine @ UP (Exhibition Game) Saturday @ 2PM

Get ready for another ridiculous game of fouls, folks.  Two years ago in the exhibition game against Concordia-Irvine, when the rules required the refs to clamp down on hand checking, etc. it made for one of the most disjointed and unpleasant games most of us have ever seen….and guess what?  Now the rules are even tighter!  

In that game two years ago C-I was whistled for 34 fouls and the Pilots were caught 26 times….60 fouls in one game.  By the end, both teams and their coaches were boiling over with anger and disbelief.  I recall talking to some of the C-I players after the game (really good kids, btw) who felt they were totally taken out of their speedy, pressing game by the refs….otherwise they could have beaten UP.

Last year when UP had a significant size advantage on C-I the Pilots trailed 40-39 at the half, but Coach Rev kept the starters on the floor much of the second half to pull out a 90-81 win.

The top three scorers for C-I are all back as seniors this year.  For UP only two of last year’s starters return, Pressley and Wintering.

Most of us like to see a tough lock-down defensive game where the refs let the players play.  I hope I’m wrong, but I doubt we’ll see that kind of game on Saturday afternoon at the Chiles Center.

Reminder, the Pilot House pub and restaurant will be open at 12:30 for all members and prospective members of the Pilot Club.

I don't know if I have ever known less about what to expect going in to a Pilot game than this one?!  A rules overhaul, with questions about rule change implementation... combined with a Pilot roster overhaul, with uncertainty about how the "new" team will look on the court... and a style overhaul shifting from experienced post players to a faster, more athletic style... heck, I don't have the slightest idea what is going to happen tomorrow!

I have no idea what is about to happen but I'm excited to get back to the Chiles Center for some Pilot basketball!

ShipstadPilot11 wrote:I'm excited to get back to the Chiles Center for some Pilot basketball!

Here here!

How about some exhibition game predictions, everyone?

Starting line-up: Wintering, Pressley, Todd, Marshall, Barreno
First off the bench: Taylor
Leading scorer: Marshall
Leading rebounder: Russell
Number of Pilots to foul out: 2 (Barreno, Johnson)

Phil will start and be first to foul out.

You heard it here.

Haha, I really can't disagree with either of you....after all, we know next to nothing about either team, but instead of fouling out, I'm picking Jazz Johnson and Ray Barreno to be the high scorers....

I'll play! Can't argue with your first two.

NoPoNeighbor wrote:Starting line-up: Wintering, Pressley, Todd, Marshall, Barreno
First off the bench: Taylor
Leading scorer: Jackson
Leading rebounder: Marshall
Number of Pilots to foul out: 0

I'll guess...

Starting line-up: Wintering, Pressley, Todd, Taylor, Barreno
First off the bench: Marshall
Leading scorer: Wintering
Leading rebounder: Todd
Number of Pilots to foul out: Barreno

Nobody picked Livingston?

Geezaldinho wrote: Phil will start and be first to foul out.

You heard it here.

Nope, and nope.  Nobody fouled out.

Well, it really wasn't the foul-fest I expected.  Sure there were 44 fouls whistled, but all appeared to be fair and within the scope of the new rules.

Although there was often bedlam under the basket with lots of no-calls, the refs were firmly in control of an up-temp game...and when calls were made, the refs often took the time to explain the infraction to the players.

It was an experienced crew that communicated and performed well in their first game of the season.  I’m often critical of the refs, but not today.  Grade: A.

Well, they did let the Irvine coach call a timeout during the run of play...

Geezaldinho wrote:Well, they did let the Irvine coach call a timeout during the run of play...

Perhaps.  I recall the scrum you are speaking of, and it did appear the refs reacted to the coach's call.....but really, how can the refs differentiate WHO is calling the timeout?

During one of UP's unsuccessful attempts to inbound the ball from the baseline, Rev was yelling for a timeout and Bryce yelled it to the ref, but when there are 1,000 to 20,000 fans yelling, I just don't see how the ref will knows who is making the call unless  that player were to grab the ref and yell in his or her ear.  

Let's not talk about inbounding plays.

I suspect inbound plays will be a teaching point this week.

DoubleDipper wrote:

Geezaldinho wrote:Well, they did let the Irvine coach call a timeout during the run of play...

Perhaps.  I recall the scrum you are speaking of, and it did appear the refs reacted to the coach's call.....but really, how can the refs differentiate WHO is calling the timeout?

During one of UP's unsuccessful attempts to inbound the ball from the baseline, Rev was yelling for a timeout and Bryce yelled it to the ref, but when there are 1,000 to 20,000 fans yelling, I just don't see how the ref will knows who is making the call unless  that player were to grab the ref and yell in his or her ear.  

He pointed to the coach. He knew who called the timeout. He just forgot the rule change.

Geezaldinho wrote:He pointed to the coach. He knew who called the timeout. He just forgot the rule change.

Yeah, I saw that too and just figured he was pointing to the team that called the timeout, but yeah, you're probably correct.

Refs are human too.....who knew?

Geezaldinho wrote:I suspect inbound plays will be a teaching point this week.

The more things change, the more they stay the same...

Geezaldinho wrote:I suspect inbound plays will be a teaching point this week.

But in a fun new wrinkle, we were also terrible at defending Concordia's inbounds plays! They scored several baskets directly off of catch-and-shoot inbounds passes.

Starting line-up: Wintering, Pressley, Livingston, Marshall, Barreno
First off the bench: Hartwich (right?)
Leading scorer: Wintering
Leading rebounder: Wintering, Marshall, Barreno
Number of Pilots to foul out: 0

DoubleDipper wrote:

Geezaldinho wrote:He pointed to the coach. He knew who called the timeout. He just forgot the rule change.

Yeah, I saw that too and just figured he was pointing to the team that called the timeout, but yeah, you're probably correct.

Refs are human too.....who knew?

Seems it should be a bench technical -- illegal timeout.

NoPoNeighbor wrote:
First off the bench: Hartwich (right?)

Naw, it was Gabe....followed by Jason and then Philipp

NoPoNeighbor wrote:Starting line-up: Wintering, Pressley, Livingston, Marshall, Barreno
First off the bench: Hartwich (right?)
Leading scorer: Wintering
Leading rebounder: Wintering, Marshall, Barreno
Number of Pilots to foul out: 0

Seems the starting line-up was based on seniority, i.e. all the Srs and Jrs.  Here's the order based on minutes played:
Wintering     32
Pressley       28
Marshall       24
Todd            23
Taylor          22
Livingston    21
Hartwich      17
Barreno       13

No one else got double figure minutes.  This group scored all but 5 of the points.  I suspect we'll see Alec, Bryce, Jarrel, Jason and Philipp as starters, and Gabe as the 6th man.  I am amazed that Livingston has surpassed Tyson as the "shooter" off the bench.

up7587 wrote: I am amazed that Livingston has surpassed Tyson as the "shooter" off the bench.

Yes, it was a surprise the Max Livingston started….but he proved to be a steadying influence and played very well on both sides of the ball.  I was impressed.  On the other hand, this team is so quick and athletic, D’Marques Tyson looked comparatively slow on both sides of the ball.  Based solely on yesterday’s performance, he’s going to have to fight for minutes….or get very, very hot from behind the arc.

Sixth man Gabe Taylor is now a lot bigger and stronger with a wonderful outside shot to go with his play around the paint….a sophomore with a very mature game.

Bryce Pressley and Jason Todd are just so solid on both sides of the ball their play almost goes unnoticed, but they rarely make mistakes, and when you look at the stats you know they contribute in all aspects of the game.

I was also impressed with the ability of both Philipp Hartwich and Ray Barreno to be integral parts of a very quick paced team.  Yes C-I dominated the offensive boards yesterday, but I think that was more about long, caroming balls coming off the rim rather than a lack of screening.  (Although I heard the coaches constantly yelling, “Rebound!!”) I doubt either player will be big-time scorers this year, but both can score inside and they’ll be solid contributors on defense and at initiating fast breaks.  I think Ray is the starter, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Philipp gets more minutes due to the pace of play.

It is obvious that Jarrel Marshall is a wonderful talent who will cause defenders to double-down on him which will open up his teammates for better shots.  He’s much like KB, but if yesterday’s game is any indicator, he’s much more under control than KB….

Finally, it’s apparent that as Alec Wintering goes, so go the Pilots.  An excellent point guard, leader and teammate, it’s quite possible he’ll be both the high scorer and tops in assists by the end of the season.