GAMEDAY: USD, tonight 7pm

Here we go, kids! It's time to fasten your seat belt and see what we are made of!

I look for the team to come out focused tonight, play hard and pull out the win. Having Hegarty dress up could be good, if not just to go foul Pomare a couple times... but who knows if he will even get any PT, but I am really anxious to see him play after all this delay.

Look for a good sized crowd tonight, thanks to some GREAT marketing by the Athletic Department...

Of the huge next 3 home games, tonight is the most important... a win over SMC or GU would just be gravy.

I'll settle for a win in one of the next three games.

I would love to see 4K in the seats tonight. not sure if we'll get there, but I would hope that a LARGE percentage of the student body is there tonight.

I'm hopeful that we will continue with the tough defensive play tonight. Defense is how this team is going to win big games. We can bring our defense to every game, and even if we don't score a bunch, we'll still be within striking distance. Against a team like USD, I think if we play tough defense, we should be able to steadily pull away. We have the toughness to deal with USD's big men, hopefully that will manifest itself.

My prediction: the game will be close and low scoring for much of the game, then the pilots pull away at the end for a 12-15 point win!!

21-15. Now that would be an ugly game to watch...

I think it will be close the whole way, and Hegarty hits a 3 to win it!

Ravio is going to continue his hot streak with a 19-13 game.
Campbell 12-5-5
and Stohl hits 5 Threes

Pilots win 62-59

Hegarty for three!!!

I agree about low scoring... USD has a good defense for sure. And without Brandon Johnson, they slow it down a lot more than they used to.

Two things stick out for me - guarding Rob Jones and Gyno Pomare. Jones is a bit undersized as a power forward but is super athletic... I think Ethan is probably best suited to guard him, so let's hope his ankle is fully recovered. He definitely creates some match-up problems... will Robin and Luke be up to the task?

As for Pomare... I can't wait to see him and Kramer go at it again. Last year, the two of them were jawing and getting very physical... it was the most animated I've ever seen "Sleepy" Pomare. He'll get his just because he's so skilled around the basket, but limiting him is the key... let's hope Kramer doesn't get into foul trouble, because I'm not sure if Jasonn is ready for him.

On the other end, they've got two athletic guards in Trumain Johnson and De'Jon Jackson, but Nik has a size advantage on them and has been playing so well lately that I expect him to have a good game. Stohl might have a difficult time getting shots off if one of those guys is draped all over him. It will be up to the team to pass the ball and find the open shooters.

Anyway... yeah man, this is one is huge. Can't wait.

Gooooooooo Pilots!!!

Stonehouse wrote:Hegarty for three!!!

GOT IT!

San Diego Union Tribune Preview: LINK

And in its preview today the O said the winner of this game will be tied for second with the loser of GU-SMC.

I knew that already, but seeing it in print got my attention.

HUGE GAME FOR PILOTS!!!Hopefully Nik,Jared, or Ethan can hit their share of three's. Does anybody know how much if any Hegarty will play?
If he can't Kramer will have to stay out of foul trouble or Jasonn will have to step up to the plate and start improving his "catch's" inside. I don't worry about T.J. or Robin like Nik,and Ethan they are all up for the challenge.

This could be a game that help's the Pilot's tremendously in their effort for a "visiting team" berth into the NIT postseason tourney.


MesaPilot1

PilotDrummer wrote:I'll settle for a win in one of the next three games.

If that's the case, the most important one to get would be tonight...

It's been a while since the Pilots have played a game with this much at stake in terms of the WCC standings.

Tonight is the most likely win, but, I'd take any of the three. Anything more than one win is gravy on the potatoe. Time to earn some respect.

I need to invest in some computer speakers, Livestats is broken, ESPN only updates every 10 minutes and I forgot to ask Stoney for text updates.... AHHHHHH I can't take the suspense

BUT in watching the Zags game, they just gave UP props for tying the best league start in school history complete with a video clip! We are going BIG TIME

Livestats JUST kicked in.... YAY!!

Pilots WIN!! Best. Conference. Start. Ever.

GOT IT!!!!!