It’s parent weekend, probably the main reason for the 2pm start. Hopefully a few more people in attendance than the past early start games. In January, the school did cancel the in-person parent weekend stuff for online offerings but it appears a lot of parents have maintained their plans and are here in person visiting their kids. Will be my 1st home game of the season…can’t wait.
I’ve watched portions of a few Portland games. Defensively, I’ve seen them do a lot of double teaming and trapping of ball screens and when the ball goes in to the low post. I suspect they will do the same vs. us, especially when Jalen has the ball in ball screen situations and maybe on Vrankic in the low post. LMU successfully doubled Jalen on ball screens and forced the ball out if his hands resulting in 0 pts for him through the first 30 minutes of the LMU game…I suspect Portland noticed.
Portland’s most frequent lineup is with the 6-8, 210lb Moses Wood and 6-6, 220 lb Tyler Robertson as their biggest guys…not a lot of size there and very limited rim protection. Maybe a game with more opportunity for Vrankic, Braun and Bediako inside plus Jalen, Pipes, Stewart and Giordan should find it easier to finish at the rim.
Robertson does everything for them…sort of the Plots version of LMU’s Eli Scott or Jahlil Tripp from a few years ago at Pacific. Robertson and point guard Meadows came with Legans from Eastern Washington; so while Portland’s roster completely turned over with all new scholarship players they do have the benefit of Robertson and Meadows who Legans’ trusts, who know his system and have clearly helped instill the culture he trying to establish. Legans is a youngish guy, pretty passionate/intense and his teams seem to follow suit and play hard.
For what it’s worth, Justice was part of Senior night intros. Doesn’t stop him from returning I guess…we’ll see if it foreshadows his intent for next year.
We have to make Portland more uncomfortable when they are on offense. Only 3 turnovers in the first half for Portland.
I would have Stewart and Giordan Williams pick the Pilots up full court whenever they are in the game. Be your Super Subs that go at it with 110% effort like a late inning reliever in baseball.
