Instant Reactions from a Portland Perspective

Nov 20; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Pilots fans and cheerleaders stand for the National Anthem before playing the Washington State Cougars at the Chiles Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Z. Rider

Halftime

Pilots lead 36-29. There have been some really good stretches on both ends of the floor, but Portland is giving up too many offensive rebounds, and turning the ball over too much. LMU has 21 total rebounds, 10 of them are offensive. The Pilots are holding LMU to 28.6% from the field and they are only up by 7, it really should be 12 or 15. Coming out of the break look for Kevin Bailey to be aggressive and look for his shot early. The question will be if he can defer if his shot is not there. All ten Pilots who have seen action have scored, quite balanced.

Final

Portland pulled away after letting LMU get back in it early. I was a bit worried when it was announced Bryce Pressley wasn’t coming back but Bobby Sharp stepped up, as did the rest of the team. Despite turning the ball over 17 times, the Pilots as a whole played very solid team basketball. Of the 10 players who saw the court, their point totals were 2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 6, 10, 12, 13, 14. Before the season started, Coach Reveno raved about the depth of this team, and tonight it showed. Solid road win, now on to Pepperdine.