Pilots @ Santa Clara, Saturday 2/26, 2:00pm

Santa Clara is 9-5 in conference (19-10 overall). They lost 4 games in preseason that Josip Vrankic missed due to injury, or they would be a bubble team. As is they are #74 in KenPom, 5th in the WCC (Pilots are #182, 6th). In WCC play, they've lost to GU and USF twice, split with SMC, beat BYU once, and beat everyone else they weren't too chicken to play.

They are led by Vrankic, a 6'9" 5th year senior post player, and Jalen Williams, a 6'6". Vrankic will require some play by the Pilot big men Silveira and Vucinic; there is no way Chika and Tyler can defend him all game. And Williams scored 25 with 8 rebounds and 6 assists to lead them in all those categories in their game against PU last night. Keshawn Justice and PJ Pipes also average double figure scoring. They are experienced with most of their key players being seniors and juniors

The Broncos are a WCC top 3 team in scoring, but a bottom 3 team in defense, so the Pilots will need to continue their strong defensive play and hit the open 3's to win this one. I doubt we will see the post up strategy used effectively against USD and PUand less effectively against UOP, the Broncos are too big. If I am right, that should also reduce the turnovers since many have come recently trying to feed the ball to a posting up player.

In looking at the Bronco's forum, it seems their fans are not happy that SCU skipped their trip to Chiles; it may cost them a 3rd place seeding vs USF in Las Vegas, if anyone knew how the tournament is going to be seeded. So I don't harbor ill will towards their fans and players. But AD Renee Baumgartner and Coach Herb Sendek are another matter.

The 2:00pm start is not convenient for the traveling team or for fans. The game is not broadcast on TV, so find it on the WCC streaming app. Also, the radio broadcast is on 1080 the Fan, not 910ESPN.

@GregWrubell wrote:Portland has won seven WCC games this season (7-6).

Portland won seven WCC games over the preceding five regular seasons combined (7-72).

I highly doubt Coach Legans will lose the next 66 games in a row. Come on, Pilots, beat that 5-year total today! Go Pilots!

East Bay vs. South Bay hate? Thanks for the support. Beat the Zags.

SCU smoked the nets tonight, shooting 60%. Too many guys all alone at the rim, and no answer for Vrankic. Despite pregame indications, Vucinic and Silveira did not make an appearance.

Pilots finish 7-7, USD finishes 7-9. We'll see how the secret WCC seeding plans work out.

Shoot 51%, 39% from 3P, 86% on FTs, only 7 turnovers, 29 vs 31 rebounds. Pilots gave a good effort, on offense.

Vrankic scores 30 points inside, and they make 14 3's (56%). That's tough to beat.