Portland Game Preview: Pilots Take on Concordia-Irvine

March 6, 2013; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Portland Pilots forward Ryan Nicholas (32) during player introductions against the Loyola Marymount Lions before the game of the WCC Basketball Championships at Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

On twitter, the University of Portland men’s basketball team and it’s fans are using the hashtag “you didn’t see this coming.” This is alluding to the fact the Pilots have been projected to finish towards the bottom of the West Coast Conference standings, despite returning a great deal of key pieces as well as bringing in a great recruiting class. Here is the Pilots first chance to prove the conference wrong in their exhibition game against NAIA opponent Concordia-Irvine

First, let’s take a look at the Pilots opponent.

The Basic Facts

Type: Private

Location: Irvine, Calif.

Colors: Green and Gold

Mascot: Eagles

Basketball Related

Record Last Season: 23-11

Conference: GSAC (NAIA)

Top Returner: Tim Harris (Formerly of Saint Mary’s College)

The Eagles are one of the top NAIA teams in the country. The program recently won the NAIA national championship in 2012, and has given the Pilots a good game the past few years. Last season, Concordia-Irvine kept the game within 15 points, and in 2012 the Eagles took Portland into overtime, where the Pilots avoided a colossal upset and won by 3.

Something to Look For:

Freshman Point Guard Alec Wintering

With Bobby Carr out with a concussion related injury, Alec Wintering will most likely see action as the Pilots starting point guard. This highly touted recruit will see extended minutes today, and how he plays could be indicative to which point guard Reveno primarily uses moving forward.

Game Time: 3:30 P.M. PT

Radio: 910 AM
Projected Starters: Wintering, Thieleke, Bailey, Nicolas, Van Der Mars