WCC Power Rankings: December 26th
By Josh Horton
Nov 18, 2013; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Denzel Valentine (45) dribbles the ball around Portland Pilots guard Kevin Bailey (00) during the second half at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Michigan State won 82-67. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
5. Portland
Last week: 8
Record: 8-4
RPI: 129
KenPom: 101
PPG: 80.8
RPG: 37.3
FG%: .465
This past week and a half: W vs. Bradley, W vs. Princeton
Portland heads into conference play on an upswing after beating Bradley and a very tough Princeton team in Las Vegas at the South Point Holiday Hoops Classic. Portland has mostly been solid thus far in the year posting an 8-4 overall record with good performances against teams such as Michigan State, Princeton, and Columbia but some inexplicable poor performances against North Texas and Montana State. It is those losses that have Portland fans saying “What if”. But now is conference season and Portland can really turn some heads on the West Coast if they can consistently play up to their potential. Ryan Nicholas has been his solid self. Kevin Bailey just keeps improving. Thomas van der Mars has taken over games. Bryce Pressley is coming off a career performance. This team has the potential to make some noise but they really need to consistently play up to that potential to really be taken seriously in the WCC.
By David Thompson