Reactions From a Portland Fan: Pilots Stun BYU
March. 2, 2013; Spokane, WA, USA; Portland Pilots head coach Eric Reveno looks on during a game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the first half at the McCarthey Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
So I just want you to see what I wrote with about a minute left in the second overtime:
So I missed the start of the game but I had it on DVR so I was playing catch-up the whole game. I’m not going to lie I didn’t take much time to digest the game as it was going on, but the last couple of minutes of regulation were crazy intense.
Portland again showed that they are capable of competing with the conference’s top teams. They also showed what is keeping them from being one of those teams. Portland had this game won, and then they gave it away twice by not being able to inbound the ball.
I feel like I’ve used the word “frustrating” a lot this season but that is really the only word I can use. Portland really played well, but BYU did just enough, or Portland made too many mistakes down the stretch, and then down the second stretch to pull out the upset but in the end they just couldn’t make it happen.
That is why you play the game out. And for the record I started writing an opposite sounding post with about a minute left in the first overtime so I guess it’s all-even.
I’m not sure who gets the game ball in this one. It could easily go to Bobby Sharp, who pretty much kept Portland in it during the second overtime. It could go to Thomas van der Mars, who put up 27 and 18 on 14 shots. Ryan Nicholas and Korey Thielke had great energy and made all the small plays that kept the Pilots in a position to win. David Carr came in and handled the pressure well, taking advantage of the BYU defense allowing him to drive to the hoop. Bailey had some big plays down the stretch including a fantastic steal in the 3rd overtime. Wintering and Pressley put Portland in a position to win before fouling out. Ok it should probably go to Sharp, I mean 8-13 from deep for 27 points including clutch shot after clutch shot. Fantastic.
So as I mentioned I speedily watched the first half and most of the second half really so my analysis on that isn’t as thorough as it should be but I have it on my DVR so it looks like I have Friday night plans. Despite that, I was able to watch plenty of basketball.
I’m going to try to get some sleep now and just soak this all in. Also my prediction of Portland getting 2 wins against Gonzaga, Saint Mary’s, and BYU.