Floundering LMU Travels Up to Portland
By Josh Horton
Feb 5, 2014; Spokane, WA, USA; Portland Pilots forward Volodymyr Gerun (52) dribbles the ball around Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Drew Barham (43) during the first half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Date: Thursday, February 13, 2014
Location: Chiles Center, Porltand, Ore.
Time: 7:00 PM PST
TV: None
Video: theW.tv
LiveStats: http://www.statbroadcast.com/events/statmonitr.php?gid=port
Last Matchup: The Pilots defeated the Lions 71-57 in Gersten Pavilion
PROJECTED STARTERS
Portland
LMU
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To say that LMU is in a rut would be an understatement. The Lions have lost 10 out of their last 11 games after starting the conference season 2-0, and are completely out of the running for the WCC title.
Portland is in a funk of their own, dropping three out of its last four games. However, the Pilots have lost in a much different manner than the Lions, with close losses to Gonzaga and San Diego, as well as a loss at San Francisco.
Keys to the Game
LMU
Payne and Ireland’s Escapade on Sat. and how it will translate tonight
It’s a mouthful, but this is LMU’s key to the game. In case you missed it, Evan Payne and Anthony Ireland got into a verbal scuffle on the sidelines in their loss to Pacific on Saturday (you can read more about in this story by Kevin Cacabelos in the LaLoyolan).
As the two most important players on the team, Ireland and Payne must coexist on the court. They have likely settled their differences since the weekend, but if there is any animosity they need to push it under the rug and focus solely on the Portland Pilots
Portland
The Dutchmen
Porltand center Thomas van der Mars has had some phenomenal games this season, and some forgettable ones as well. It is evident that the Pilots are much better off when he plays to his capabilities.
The Pilots are 5-2 this season (in conference play) when van der Mars scores in double-digits and 0-5 when he fails to accomplish that. Better yet, when van der Mars adds atleast 10 rebounds to his performance, the Pilots are 3-0.
Long story short, the Pilots cannot afford to the junior center to disappear again. This is a perfect game for him to emerge once again.
Prediction
LMU is in ruins at the moment. If the vast amount of injuries weren’t enough, teammates are now starting to get into altercations, making life tough for Coach Max Good and company. The senior laden Pilots have too much for the Lions to handle at home in this one. Portland 71, LMU 58.