|
|
Post by LIONS90045 on Jan 30, 2015 10:57:25 GMT -5
Pacific Tigers - Part II
Record: 10-12
WCC: 2-8
Home: 5-6
Pacific beat the Lions by 10 at Gersten to start their new 2015 on a high note and also won over USD by 2. Otherwise, they lost all their WCC games, including last night to Pepperdine.
I thought the Lions shot poorly (40%) in our loss to the Gaels but Pacific shot 28% against the Waves.
This is a winnable game but it will be tougher if Deji is out.
Gametime: Saturday, Jan 31, 1 pm on the road.
TV: Time Warner Sports Net
|
|
|
|
Post by golions1444 on Jan 30, 2015 15:11:54 GMT -5
Who can get us some injury updates on Deji and Patson?
|
|
|
|
Post by LIONS90045 on Jan 30, 2015 22:03:29 GMT -5
Lions are 3 point underdogs.
Wish I knew if Deji is OK - his "ailment/injury" was described as "cramps" in the LMU post-game write up, which doesn't sound serious.
I'm guessing Patson won't play.
|
|
|
|
Post by LIONS90045 on Jan 30, 2015 22:16:34 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by LIONS90045 on Jan 30, 2015 22:49:48 GMT -5
I thought this was an interesting quote from a poster on the Pacific Board regarding the WCC as a "Coaches' League."
"During the Gonzaga game, the color commentator said the WCC is a "Coach's League." I had to think about that for a while, so this is my understanding of that comment and how it applies to tonight's game.
The WCC schools do not get the top talent (one exception to that); the best talent goes to the Dukes and Kentuckies of this world. WCC schools get solid basketball players, who, for the most part, will never see an NBA court (some may go overseas). WCC players are relatively equal in ability, size, and skills. So the difference maker in the outcome of the game is quite often the side line decision of the Coach.
So that is how I see tonight's game. The two teams are relatively equal...the stats are very close. The decisions, the in-game adjustments, the two coaches make will determine the outcome of this game. If the Tigers win, then Verlin deserves the credit. If they lose, he deserves the blame. It is that brutally simple. I hope he makes the right decisions!"
I think this is accurate regarding the talent of the non-Gonzaga teams - any one can beat another on any given night.
But it also makes me appreciate any success of Dunlap as a coach in the WCC.
Given our performance so far, I'm optimistic.
|
|
|
|
Post by slblions08 on Jan 31, 2015 15:00:15 GMT -5
According to kenpom ratings, the WCC is in a tier with the American and the Atlantic 10 conference. A lot of that has to do with the addition of BYU, to go along with St. Mary's and Gonzaga as a Power 3. The WCC will emerge as a true rival to the A-10 if it can produce another good program on a consistent basis. I hope it happens before Gonzaga bolts the conference for a better one, or Randy Bennett gets pulled out of St. Mary's or BYU decides to jump to another conference closer to its territory. But national perception is a funny thing, as most young high school kids probably don't think of the WCC in the same tier as conferences with schools like UConn, SMU, Cincinnati, Memphis, Tulsa, Temple, George Washington, Butler, VCU, Dayton, Umass, Rhode Island. Why? The first is facilities, although many have nice stadiums (Gonzaga, BYU, Portland, San Diego, Pepperdine, San fran--for its history, Pacific).
Second is the prevalence of good records. Someone with a vision also needs to get the WCC to schedule a little lighter in the preseason so that we can have some better looking records for a few years to build on. Because face it, the media looks at records, and the kids believe the media. The metrics don't lie. The WCC is very good basketball, and the coaches are pretty solid too. And yes, if you think about it, there are 7 teams in the league that are virtually the same. LMU, Santa Clara, San Diego, San Francisco, Pacific, Pepperdine, Portland. How do you distinguish them? I think the trick for any coach who wants to move to the top half of the WCC will be to figure out how to win 75%-plus of those games and then steal a couple games from the 6 against the power-3. Once we can have more teams finishing above .500 for the year (15 or more wins) and something like 4 -5 teams finishing with 20 wins each year and fewer teams with less than 10 losses each year, we'll draw in more recruits and it will be even better.
|
|
|
|
Post by golions03 on Jan 31, 2015 16:17:42 GMT -5
Speirs with the start!
|
|
|
|
Post by LIONS90045 on Jan 31, 2015 16:29:35 GMT -5
We're behind but shooting poorly
We really should beat these guys!
|
|
|
|
Post by husky on Jan 31, 2015 16:57:18 GMT -5
The first 10 minutes really showcased the 2 last placed WCC teams; horrible shooting. Then both teams warmed up, them more than us. I agree with king, we certainly can beat these guys. Evan has his shot back but we are missing Diji. The color announcer is really full of it, I have to get a new portable FM and get KLXU.
|
|
|
|
Post by slblions08 on Jan 31, 2015 17:24:16 GMT -5
3 pt defense...
|
|
|
|
Post by longtimelionfan on Jan 31, 2015 18:22:14 GMT -5
Another come from behind win on the road and without Deji or Parson. Marin is becoming a double double machine. He's done it in 3 of his last 5; and, with > 20 points in 2 of the 3; just under 20 in the other.
|
|
|
|
Post by husky on Jan 31, 2015 18:23:59 GMT -5
Great win! 4 players in double figures plus Chase who was our MVP with beaucoup assists, steals and finally, 5 points on OT. Also Marin with another double-double. At least for this game, I cannot claim we were screwed by the WCC officials who were clearly fair and balanced.
|
|
|
|
Post by golions1444 on Jan 31, 2015 18:28:19 GMT -5
The improvement is continuing!!! Chase Flint and Money are so much improved this year...they have been huge for us lately, especially Flint who is turning into an assists machine! We are learning how to win! We get our full squad back and keep improving...things could get weird in March!!
If anyone on this board knows Chase personally...please let him know how much the fans are enjoying him leading this team!
|
|
|
|
Post by LIONS90045 on Jan 31, 2015 18:33:48 GMT -5
The better team (with a capital "T") won today.
Dunlap's defense had the Tigers on their heels all day, especially the press.
Mornar and Flint improving every game and Humphries 3-pt shot a real threat!
Evan a powerhouse on offense and getting better at playing smart (not wuite there yet).
Well done Lions even with Deji and Siame out.
Out of the WCC cellar and the sky is the limit.
Welcome home next week!
|
|
|
|
Post by slblions08 on Jan 31, 2015 18:36:13 GMT -5
Mornar definitely showing up in these games.
I like Humphries' game. Will give credit to Dunlap for finding him. Humphries is a good, heady player who is finally adjusting to DI basketball. Wish he was around for more than just another year. Plays off Evan really well. Nice win, another comeback. That's two good comebacks
|
|
