Tourney: Pilots vs. Waves

Nice work, Pilot Nut!

The rumor on the Pepperdine board is that Rico Tucker has an injured knee and may be out for the season. He didn't play against USF last night... he really hurt us in the game at Portland (heretoafter known as The Game That Shall Not be Named, TGTSNBN). I'd prefer to beat them at full strength and hate to see a guy get injured, but... they are so short-handed that losing him is a major blow. I bet we'll be favored in the game.

Well, the band's not going (I wish we would, but budget, etc...). Assuming we don't let the Waves drop 4 straight 3 pointers I think we'll do well. Little worried about USD, especially with them being the host and all. What we can't afford to do (like this is news) is play a great game for 30-35 minutes like we normally do. Last I checked, that's 5 minutes short of a full game.

It would be great to get the band back at the tournaments... hopefully there will be more travel $$$ in coming years alongside an improved hoops team.

We should all be campaigning for an all out Purple Blitz on Vegas next year!

I think if the team starts making progress and winning games in tournament play consistently, the band will go.

I just read the following on the Pepp web site:

"The already thin Waves’ roster suffered another blow when junior guard Rico Tucker (San Diego, Calif./University HS/Minnesota) injured a knee late in the game at San Diego on Saturday (March 1). He did not play tonight and is expected to miss the WCC Tournament."

Link: Pepperdine Web Article on USF Game.

That would leave the Waves with essentially 8 players; 8 played last night against USF (with a 9th player getting 1 minute of PT). Not good news for the Waves. Foul trouble could be very significant in this game, as it sounds like it was for them last night (and in TGTSNBN)...

That does stink for Pepp. I would have preferred that we beat them with Uncle Rico (in my opinion we should have), but now we REALLY have no excuse if we lose this game. After TGTSNBN, I fully expect us to come out and play a complete game.

By the way, I assume the official word has not come out on next year's tourney site? If I remember correctly, they should announce it "officially" at this years tourney?

If it is in Vegas, I am very serious about trying to make it happen, and would love the Alumni office to lobby heavily to ensure a good showing of Purple!

Yeah. I mean, good for us, we should take advantage. But losing a player to injury isn't ever a good thing. Knees suck...I've been told it's only downhill from college...

I think that the official announcement for next year's location will be made this week... but it seems to be a forgone conclusion.

The more I think about it, the more I like it!

Maybe the official announcement will be this week, but it's already been acknowledged by official sources quoted in the media.