Two in the Bay Area: Today @ USF @ 5 and Saturday @ SCU @ 1

Note the unusual start times for UP’s next two games as holiday plans, bowl games, and TV commitments drive this week’s schedule.

USF is dangerous because you never know what you’re going to get except the immature and boorish behavior of the head coach.  

During USF’s win at home over UOP last week they were at one time down by 19, but rallied to win 89-76….so they are always dangerous, even when seemingly out of it. Reports are the head coach just sulked on the sideline and gave up coaching as USF fell further and further behind, but the players rallied with good shooting to overcome the deficit and the coach.

PG Devon Watson (19.1 ppg) is one of the better PGs in the WCC, and SG Tim Derksen (14.4 ppg & 6.9 rbpg) and F Chase Foster can always be counted on the give USF the needed lift.

This game will not be televised but will be streamed on TheW.tv at 5pm today.

Santa Clara has had a schizophrenic beginning to the season, losing their first 7 games, then winning 4 in a row, before losing 3 in a row, including an exciting 1 point loss in OT to Pacific in Stockton.

PG Jared Brownridge (19.9 ppg) is still the go-to guy for SCU, but new guy KJ Feagin and big guy (6-9/230) Nate Kratch play significant supporting roles for SCU.

This game is on ROOT-NW beginning at 1pm Saturday.

Pomeroy rankings and predictions:
UP (2-0) #191
USF (1-1) # 244
SCU (0-2) #252
Because it’s difficult to achieve road wins in the WCC, both USF and SCU are favored by 1 point over UP.

After the 4 games in 6 days stretch, wonder how the guys will do with the long eight day break.  I doubt there will be a large USF home crowd on NYE with no students around.

Are there any watch parties tonight? Pilot House?

For what it's worth, my phone tells me Portland is a 1.5 point favorite tonight.

These two games are BIG for the Pilots. Here's why:

• With six presumed losses to GU/SMC/BYU on everyone's schedule, the battle for the last two top-half spots really comes down to these matches against other middle-of-the-pack teams.
• To keep his job, Reveno desperately needs to finish with a winning record in conference this season. The rest of the conference has obliged by fielding a below-average slate of teams. Nonetheless, to pull off a winning record we'll probably need to win at least 3 games on the road (out of only 6 non-GU/SMC/BYU opportunities).
• Part of the discontent with Reveno is his teams' inability to "get over the hump" and win games that they should win. These are two winnable games. Let's prove that we are BETTER than USF and SCU.
• To get 3+ road wins, we need to take advantage of every advantage and opportunity we can get. One of those small advantages is that both of these games will be played while the opponents' students are away on break. We need to make the most of this opportunity.
• Momentum. We need to keep the good times rolling after last weeks big wins. After these next two games we go to Spokane; we need to feel confident and formidable heading into that game.

NoPoNeighbor wrote:These two games are BIG for the Pilots. Here's why:

• With six presumed losses to GU/SMC/BYU on everyone's schedule, the battle for the last two top-half spots really comes down to these matches against other middle-of-the-pack teams.
• To keep his job, Reveno desperately needs to finish with a winning record in conference this season. The rest of the conference has obliged by fielding a below-average slate of teams. Nonetheless, to pull off a winning record we'll probably need to win at least 3 games on the road (out of only 6 non-GU/SMC/BYU opportunities).
• Part of the discontent with Reveno is his teams' inability to "get over the hump" and win games that they should win. These are two winnable games. Let's prove that we are BETTER than USF and SCU.
• To get 3+ road wins, we need to take advantage of every advantage and opportunity we can get. One of those small advantages is that both of these games will be played while the opponents' students are away on break. We need to make the most of this opportunity.
• Momentum. We need to keep the good times rolling after last weeks big wins. After these next two games we go to Spokane; we need to feel confident and formidable heading into that game.

Great post, NPN! I agree completely... these are games that we "need to" win if we are truly growing this program. 2 wins tonight sets us up well for the rest of the season, with a win vs. Pepp as a potentially important tie breaker should they pull it together (and we should want them to).

I expect sparse crowds in both gyms... it looks like SCU is only down 2 to GU at halftime, so lets hope they blow they burn themselves out tonight.

blacksheep wrote:Are there any watch parties tonight?  Pilot House?

For what it's worth, my phone tells me Portland is a 1.5 point favorite tonight.

I don't think the Pilot House reopens from Christmas break until Jan 9 or 10.

The Las Vegas odds just moved to UP by 2 with an o/u of 147.5.....it's the "experts" that are picking USF by 1.

Lol....this is ridiculous.

Tuned in to theW.tv late.  Pilots were up, and built it to a nine point lead with about 4 minutes to go.  But then a silly turnover and a couple misses, and USF went on a 7-0 run to close to two points.  Rev took a time-out, put Bryce back in, and the Pilots ran off the last nine points of the half to lead 62-51.  What was that over/under??

Well, the first half was fun.....I'm not sure the Pilots can keep up the offensive show in the second half, but I'm glad to have witnessed a 62 point first half.  I'm sure the coaches are pleased with an 11 point lead, but there is a lot of work to do in the second half.

Remember, USF is very good at coming back....and they are shooting 62%, so UP will have to get tougher on defense.

UP was 14-14 at the line in the first half!!!

Dirksen is doing all he can to keep USF close this half.

BTW, they zoomed by that 147.5 O/U with just under 13 minutes to go.

USF formula. Drive, score, foul.  Or drive, rebound, score.  That lead melted fast.

USF wins. Pilots couldn't hit a shot for the last 10 minutes, and USF never cooled off.  FTs at the end made the score worse than the game was played.

The first half was fun. In the second half UP shot 9-34 from the field (26.5%).

This loss was a microcosm of the Reveno tenure. Almost SO good, but in the end just a fizzle.

It wasn't reveno that went 9-34.

Geezaldinho wrote:It wasn't reveno that went 9-34.

But it was Reveno's recruits, offense, defense, decision making, adjustments, etc. He does not get a pass--our defense was the problem for 40 minutes.

Our defense was terrible all game (as was USFs for the first 30 minutes), it was our hot shooting that distracted from that until the last 10 minutes.

Didn't see the second half, but the players have to be pleased with their accomplishments for the first 30 minutes against USF, but I'm equally sure they and the coaching staff know they still have quite a ways to go if they are to win on the road.

It will be interesting to see the team's performance against SCU tomorrow....will they put their disappointment behind them or go into a bit of a funk?  I think the coaching staff will have them ready to go.

After coming off a 2 point loss to GU, SCU should be confident and ready to play....this should be a very competitive game.

Coach agrees.

@CoachReveno wrote:As fun as making shots can be, road wins require road toughness. Tough plays on both ends. Shots stopped falling and we could not get stops.

They actually did get a couple stops near the end, after they'd lost the lead.  But Bryce(2), Jazz(2) and Alec all missed threes when they were down by three.

VT vs. NCSU is in overtime, but a video stream is available here: http://www.wccsports.com/game-center/55d14dcde4b0e5d5bd3e52b8/

Can anyone explain why we consistently seem to not be able to finish at the rim (remember last year)?!  Including the inability to make the shot when fouled to earn the and 1?  

Is it just me or are Rev's teams soft?  Go up strong to the rim!  

Same thing just happened to USF vs Gonzaga.


Not even going to mention the Ducks.

Geezaldinho wrote:Same thing just happened to USF vs Gonzaga.

Not even going to mention the Ducks.

Yea, USF up by 16 with less than 9 minutes to go in the second half only to lose in O/T....Sabonis with 35/14 and Wiltjer with 30/11.

And the Ducks.....weren't they up by 31 going into the second half?

Did anyone watch USC at UW yesterday?

Pretty mundane for the most part with the Huskies trailing by 22 points with 14 minutes to go.....then boom!  UW rallies to win by 2, breaking USC's 7 game winning streak.

Hey, I'll take a purple win anytime....including TCU's win on Saturday.

Well... 0-2 on the Bay Area swing. Very disappointing. To me, this weekend's results (along with the games against Idaho State, Southern Illinois and Weber) show that the program is not progressing. The Pilots are mired in mediocrity.

DoubleDipper wrote:Did anyone watch USC at UW yesterday?

Pretty mundane for the most part with the Huskies trailing by 22 points with 14 minutes to go.....then boom!  UW rallies to win by 2, breaking USC's 7 game winning streak.

Hey, I'll take a purple win anytime....including TCU's win on Saturday.

Sorry, Saturday was about my worst sports watching day ever.  And no win by that school in Seattle is worth celebrating.

I totally understand! I found it was just better to move on and look forward to the Seahawks vs the Vikings.

Easier said than done.