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Post by LIONS90045 on Sept 6, 2009 23:16:01 GMT -5
Some discussion updates from ESPN.com  2. Gonzaga's foreign invasion: The Zags lost Austin Daye early to the NBA draft, but no one seemed to be weeping in Spokane. Gonzaga has a top-25 core returning with Matt Bouldin, Steven Gray and Demetri Goodson on the perimeter. But the onus could be on Canadians Mangisto Arop and Kelly Olynyk, who led Canada at the under-19 world championships. The other stealth player on the roster is Germany's Elias Harris, who will miss the first three weeks of school while he plays on the German national team. Harris averaged 25 minutes, scoring 14 points a game during the European under-20 championships. 3. Portland is a player: The Pilots are the challenger to Gonzaga in the West Coast Conference this season. Portland coach Eric Reveno said this is the first time he has felt his team was in the same ballpark as the Zags. The Pilots should feel confident after an offseason trip to Australia that kept the good vibes flowing after a 19-win season. The Pilots return 12 players, including legacies Nik Raivio (father Rick is a Pilot hall of famer and brother Derek was a solid player at Gonzaga) and Luke Sikma (son of famed Sonic Jack Sikma). Jared Stohl may not have the household name, but few are better shooters at 45.6 percent on 3s. T.J. Campbell, the co-newcomer of the league last season, isn't too shabby either. The Pilots needed the Australian trip because they have had issues winning key road games late in the season, losing their way at San Diego and Santa Clara last season. Playing away from home will determine this team's fate. The Canadians on Gonzaga played well in the under-19 tournament but I had not heard about the player from Germany. Achtung! Portland will be a handfull this year. |
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Post by LIONS90045 on Sept 7, 2009 10:55:23 GMT -5
The above was from Andy Katz. Here are more comments from Fran Fraschilla Gonzaga Don't write off the Zags just yet. Despite losing a number of key players, they are still the favorite to win the West Coast. But their margin for error is slimmer than it has been in a while. Mark Few felt Matt Bouldin was the team's best all-around player a season ago and he returns for his senior year. Steven Gray and Demetri Goodson will help him bolster the backcourt. Incoming freshman wing Manny Arop was terrific for Canada in the under-19 world championships this summer and he will help there as well. The key to the Zags' season rests on the front line, where 7-foot sophomore Robert Sacre is expected to rise to the occasion this season. And remember this name: Elias Harris. He's a 6-foot-7 German who will arrive after the European championships later this month. He'll have an instant impact. Portland The Pilots are the latest West Coast Conference team to attempt to knock Gonzaga off its conference high horse. The Zags have won nine straight regular-season titles, but coach Eric Reveno has a junior- and senior-laden team that will battle for the top spot. Led by guards Nik Raivio, Jared Stohl and T.J. Campbell, Portland has a chance to make some serious noise early in the season. Five days after hosting Oregon, the Pilots take on UCLA in the 76 Classic and will play either Butler or Minnesota in their second game. And more from Andy Katz on key games to watch: Gonzaga at Michigan State, Nov. 17: Mark Few has finally put the Zags in position to get true return games through his constant winning and respectful, friendly relationship with coaches like Michigan State's Tom Izzo. The Spartans will return this game to former MSU coach Jud Heathcote's home state of Washington in 2010. But Gonzaga's season opener this year is in East Lansing, where the Zags can certainly earn power points for months if they can pull off the upset against the Big Ten favorites. Gonzaga vs. Duke, Dec. 19:, Madison Square Garden, New York: The Zags like to play the high-profile neutral-site games and getting Duke at Madison Square Garden for the second time does wonders for their power rating, let alone familiarity on the East Coast. The Zags either will be an established top-15 team after the MSU game and the Maui Invitational or searching for a March-mattering win over Duke to calm the anxiety over a possible at-large berth. Gonzaga vs. Duke, Dec. 19:, Madison Square Garden, New York: The Zags like to play the high-profile neutral-site games and getting Duke at Madison Square Garden for the second time does wonders for their power rating, let alone familiarity on the East Coast. The Zags either will be an established top-15 team after the MSU game and the Maui Invitational or searching for a March-mattering win over Duke to calm the anxiety over a possible at-large berth. Portland vs. Pac-10: The Pilots have a fighting chance to knock off UCLA in the opening round of the 76 Classic and will get an opportunity on the second day to pick up a quality power-rating win against either Butler or Minnesota. Portland also gets a chance to host improved Oregon and plays at Washington in December. The Pilots beat UW a year ago in the season opener. A win over the Huskies would give them momentum, and more importantly, cachet come March. Seems ESPN analysts have only two-track minds when it comes to the WCC - Gonzaga and Portland.   sports.espn.go.com/ncb/notebook?page=notebook/shootaround/bestofrest |
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Post by ironlions on Sept 8, 2009 11:12:32 GMT -5
I'm really glad to see Portland get press. Katz loves the Zags and always writes about them.
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Post by mesapilot1 on Sept 9, 2009 0:09:25 GMT -5
I believe the Pilot's will do okay on the whole in tough games. This group of players have played together for a while now. They had some tough games against the "pro" teams in Australia...etc... of course I'm a big time homer so I try to think with the glass half full. The thing I like most about this team is the coach, he seems to get the most out of his staff,strength coach and players. If you look at the team Only Ravio, and Sikma come from natural talent and maybe Campbell (and if he were about 4 inches taller he would be playing major college football coming out of the powerhouse FB JUCO he went to in Glendale,AZ)the rest of the players are "role" players on most D-1 teams. This is the year for Rev to "begin" to put it together and I think he and the AD will be harder on themselves then any fan,alumni, etc if it isn't a better season than last year.
However with 18-23 yr old Young men you just never know...........
I'm really interested to see how Davis and Vinney do with SF Young and your excellent guard from last year. I still think if Max keeps the distractions down, and spirits high the Lions are going to be better than most expect. Especially during WCC home games.Also everybody talks about the Zag newcomers, I've been following Galibar on the recruiting trail for the last 2 1/2 years and unless he hasn't progressed much, he should provide a spark inside and be in contention for All-WCC freshman team at least.
MesaPilot1
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Post by ironlions on Sept 9, 2009 11:05:58 GMT -5
I can't wait for the season to start. The Pilots have been getting a lot of press as the Zag hunters this year. Other than the WCC seems wide open. LMU will suprise a lot of people.
Go Lions
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Post by fanblade on Sept 9, 2009 12:02:22 GMT -5
Zag hunters, good one! UP would be on fire if they get the home win against the bulldogs. I would put my money on the Pilots.
I can't wait for this season to start too. Should be very interesting to see how our team has grown during the off-season.
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