The Daily Gopher: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
New Blog: Cowboy Altitude for Wyoming Fans!

Gophers vs. the Portland Pilots - OFFICIAL GAME THREAD

Minnesota Golden Gophers at Portland Pilots, Nov 27, 2009 8:30 PM CST


7072_medium

Rencito provided us with a solid preview earlier this morning, so I won't replicate that.  Portland advanced to the semi-finals after the Pilots absolutely killed UCLA in palindrome fashion, 74-47.  If you had done just some cursory research the outcome is not all that surprising.  UCLA is down this year and Portland is returning a lot from what was a pretty good team last year.  But to beat UCLA by 27 points is astonishing and the 76 Classic officials have to be a bit disappointed as any boost they may have received in attendance is now gone.  Here are the stats, starters and keys...

 

Stats
Portland Minnesota
Pts / Poss 1.254 1.045
Def Pts / Poss 1.014 0.755
eFG% 61.7% 57.4%
Def eFG% 46.0% 38.8%
Off Reb % 40.1% 31.3%
Def Reb % 64.7% 74.1%
TO % 22.2% 18.0%

 

Keys to the game
  1. Defend the Three - Portland shoots the three a lot and on the season they are shooting 53.7% from long range on the season.  To drive this home they are leading the nation in effective FG% at 61.7% (tempo-free stat weighted more heavily for threes made).  The Gopher defense is very good but this will test the discipline of the perimeter defense.  They need to contain penetration without over-helping and they cannot get sucked too far into the paint so the kick-out is wide open.
  2. BOX OUT - We have done a nice job rebounding this year on both ends, but that has to continue.  Portland rebounds just over 40% of their offensive misses, which ranks as 40th in the country.   We need assert dominance in this area.  The Pilots will jack up threes and obviously they'll miss their share.  We cannot give them possessions where they get more opportunities to hit a three.
  3. Play OUR game - I fear that we'll get caught up in a game of chucking up threes.  We need to play our game and run our offense.  If they got on a run or two by nailing consecutive threes, we don't need to "answer."   We need to run our offense, use our bigs and take what their defense will give us.
Likely Starters

Minnesota
PG - Al Nolen
SG - Lawrence Westbrook
SF - Rodney Williams
F - Damian Johnson
C - Ralph Sampson

Portland
G - Nick Raivio
G - T.J. Campbell
F - Ethan Neidermeyer
F - Robin Smeulders
C - Kramer Knudson

0 recs  |  Comment 87 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Portland can shoot

We all knew that. Hopefully the guys on the floor did too.

by rencito on Nov 27, 2009 8:39 PM CST reply actions  

We are getting out rebounded

Not a good sign for the rest of the game.

by rencito on Nov 27, 2009 9:04 PM CST reply actions  

OK my wife finally let me have the computer

what you say here can, and will, be used against you

by GopherNation on Nov 27, 2009 9:15 PM CST reply actions  

THE problem is...

Portland is controlling the tempo, we are playing at their pace

what you say here can, and will, be used against you

by GopherNation on Nov 27, 2009 9:15 PM CST reply actions  

We can't shoot

From anywhere. Inside the arc, outside the arc, free throw line.

by rencito on Nov 27, 2009 9:22 PM CST reply actions  

I'm making the call right now

We’re going to lose this game. We are being outplayed in every way.

by rencito on Nov 27, 2009 9:29 PM CST reply actions  

it is a long game

and I’m anticipating a different team in the second half. Maybe a press.

what you say here can, and will, be used against you

by GopherNation on Nov 27, 2009 9:34 PM CST reply actions  

Rough first half..

and I can’t say I’m optimistic, but our offense finally looked like it had a rhythm toward the end of the first. We’ve been a better second half team for most of this year, hopefully we can continue that tonight.

Kill, maim, pillage, burn! Kill, maim, pillage, burn! Eat babies! Badger babies!

by Felix on Nov 27, 2009 9:35 PM CST reply actions  

my wife just said

I could be Andy Katz

I just explained his mid-major thing and I’m better looking too :)

what you say here can, and will, be used against you

by GopherNation on Nov 27, 2009 9:38 PM CST reply actions  

we are taking HORRIBLE shots

RSIII should not be taking a shot from a step inside the line

what you say here can, and will, be used against you

by GopherNation on Nov 27, 2009 9:44 PM CST reply actions  

Nice play by Westbrook

Kill, maim, pillage, burn! Kill, maim, pillage, burn! Eat babies! Badger babies!

by Felix on Nov 27, 2009 9:45 PM CST reply actions  

yes

defense is picking up

what you say here can, and will, be used against you

by GopherNation on Nov 27, 2009 9:46 PM CST reply actions  

and just like that

we are back to even

what you say here can, and will, be used against you

by GopherNation on Nov 27, 2009 9:47 PM CST reply actions  

their big men are animals on the boards

we just are not boxing out and they are really being more aggressive to the ball

what you say here can, and will, be used against you

by GopherNation on Nov 27, 2009 10:02 PM CST reply actions  

We can't rebound

And that is why we are going to lose this game.

by rencito on Nov 27, 2009 10:04 PM CST reply actions  

and we have no answer on offense

what you say here can, and will, be used against you

by GopherNation on Nov 27, 2009 10:07 PM CST reply actions  

We look completely lost against the zone

Kill, maim, pillage, burn! Kill, maim, pillage, burn! Eat babies! Badger babies!

by Felix on Nov 27, 2009 10:10 PM CST reply actions  

we are playing really bad

but still only down 7

what you say here can, and will, be used against you

by GopherNation on Nov 27, 2009 10:12 PM CST reply actions  

Stick a fork in us

This one is over. We cannot match up with them tonight.

Here is the positive thing we can take from this game:

Hopefully, this means we won’t be surprised by a mid major team come March.

by rencito on Nov 27, 2009 10:13 PM CST reply actions  

8 minutes is a long time

Kill, maim, pillage, burn! Kill, maim, pillage, burn! Eat babies! Badger babies!

by Felix on Nov 27, 2009 10:14 PM CST up reply actions  

This must be your first college game

Either that or you didn’t watch the Badger game in Wisconsin last year.

Anything can happen, there’s no reason to write off a game that’s relatively close with 8 minutes to go.

Kill, maim, pillage, burn! Kill, maim, pillage, burn! Eat babies! Badger babies!

by Felix on Nov 27, 2009 10:19 PM CST up reply actions  

We were hanging around that game

I see no signs of us coming back here. They are just plain playing better.

I say that and we just cut the lead to six. But we still need some things to bounce our way the last few minutes. Like hit the free throw when you get fouled on a made shot.

Like UCLA last night, Portland is outshooting us from inside, outside, and free throw line. Hard to win when that happens on top of getting out rebounded.

by rencito on Nov 27, 2009 10:24 PM CST up reply actions  

We were trailing by 12 with 5:30 to go

That’s a bigger deficit than we were facing tonight with 8 to go.

Kill, maim, pillage, burn! Kill, maim, pillage, burn! Eat babies! Badger babies!

by Felix on Nov 27, 2009 10:27 PM CST up reply actions  

I like the two post line-up

pound the ball inside, but Nolen doesn’t need to double down on post now

what you say here can, and will, be used against you

by GopherNation on Nov 27, 2009 10:15 PM CST reply actions  

What..An Upset Brewing?..This announcer is stupid

Hello..Portland Kicked the Shit out of UCLA Last night.

by TonyO on Nov 27, 2009 10:18 PM CST reply actions  

but UCLA is terrible this year

beating a ranked team who just beat a #10 team, is an upset

what you say here can, and will, be used against you

by GopherNation on Nov 27, 2009 10:20 PM CST up reply actions  

It is still an upset

UCLA isn’t very good. We are ranked, UCLA was never ranked this year.

by rencito on Nov 27, 2009 10:20 PM CST up reply actions  

I know there is a lot of time left

but I’m with those who think this one is over.

what you say here can, and will, be used against you

by GopherNation on Nov 27, 2009 10:20 PM CST reply actions  

barring a rash or turnovers and a couple threes

we just aren’t doing enough to win this one

what you say here can, and will, be used against you

by GopherNation on Nov 27, 2009 10:21 PM CST reply actions  

I don't think we have a good chance to win this..

but it’s not over yet.

Kill, maim, pillage, burn! Kill, maim, pillage, burn! Eat babies! Badger babies!

by Felix on Nov 27, 2009 10:22 PM CST reply actions  

Missed free throws are so frustrating

Kill, maim, pillage, burn! Kill, maim, pillage, burn! Eat babies! Badger babies!

by Felix on Nov 27, 2009 10:24 PM CST reply actions  

NOW MAKE A FREE THROW (or two)

what you say here can, and will, be used against you

by GopherNation on Nov 27, 2009 10:25 PM CST reply actions  

9-18 from the line

make a few FTs and this game feels pretty different

what you say here can, and will, be used against you

by GopherNation on Nov 27, 2009 10:26 PM CST reply actions  

Nolen is taking over

what you say here can, and will, be used against you

by GopherNation on Nov 27, 2009 10:29 PM CST reply actions  

2 point game

Nolen is really picking his game up.

Kill, maim, pillage, burn! Kill, maim, pillage, burn! Eat babies! Badger babies!

by Felix on Nov 27, 2009 10:29 PM CST reply actions  

The announcer said it all

“Are you kidding me, Rodney?”

Kill, maim, pillage, burn! Kill, maim, pillage, burn! Eat babies! Badger babies!

by Felix on Nov 27, 2009 10:31 PM CST reply actions  

Missed free throws and horrible shot selection lost this game.

Kill, maim, pillage, burn! Kill, maim, pillage, burn! Eat babies! Badger babies!

by Felix on Nov 27, 2009 10:34 PM CST reply actions  

REBOUNDING

what you say here can, and will, be used against you

by GopherNation on Nov 27, 2009 10:35 PM CST up reply actions  

We were (and still are) in this late despite the rebounding

But yeah, that’s been a huge problem tonight too.

Kill, maim, pillage, burn! Kill, maim, pillage, burn! Eat babies! Badger babies!

by Felix on Nov 27, 2009 10:36 PM CST up reply actions  

shoot

hats off to Portland, nice win for their resume. Now we cheer for Portland and Butler to make our resume look better

what you say here can, and will, be used against you

by GopherNation on Nov 27, 2009 10:34 PM CST reply actions  

no way

what you say here can, and will, be used against you

by GopherNation on Nov 27, 2009 10:35 PM CST reply actions  

get Hoffarber in

what you say here can, and will, be used against you

by GopherNation on Nov 27, 2009 10:35 PM CST reply actions  

I have so little faith in Hoffarber

A 3 from him now would go a long way to getting some faith in him back.

Kill, maim, pillage, burn! Kill, maim, pillage, burn! Eat babies! Badger babies!

by Felix on Nov 27, 2009 10:37 PM CST up reply actions  

Scratch that

Same old Hoffarber.

Kill, maim, pillage, burn! Kill, maim, pillage, burn! Eat babies! Badger babies!

by Felix on Nov 27, 2009 10:37 PM CST up reply actions  

SHOOT

the rebound fell to Nolen who would have had an easy two

what you say here can, and will, be used against you

by GopherNation on Nov 27, 2009 10:37 PM CST reply actions  

Just too far away

for Hoffarber. He should been a step closer, at least.

by rencito on Nov 27, 2009 10:38 PM CST reply actions  

Congrats to Portland

They deserved it.

Kill, maim, pillage, burn! Kill, maim, pillage, burn! Eat babies! Badger babies!

by Felix on Nov 27, 2009 10:38 PM CST reply actions  

Hard to beat a team like that

When on top of out shooting you, they out rebound you.

The difference was really our free throw shooting and getting out rebounded.

by rencito on Nov 27, 2009 10:40 PM CST reply actions  

we forced 19 turnovers

but we got killed on the boards and shot horribly

what you say here can, and will, be used against you

by GopherNation on Nov 27, 2009 10:41 PM CST reply actions  

Go Pilots

what you say here can, and will, be used against you

by GopherNation on Nov 27, 2009 10:41 PM CST reply actions  

The important thing to remember

Is that this was really just another game. We still get to play against Texas A&M—who is looking like they could be a decent team. So the game on Sunday is still worth a whole lot.

It sure would have been nice to get a shot at West Virginia.

Wow, if Portland wins that game plus at least one win against Gonzaga, they have a legitimate case for making the tournament as an at-large. I think they solidify that possibility with a win at Washington next month (if they knock of WVA).

Go Pilots!

by rencito on Nov 27, 2009 10:45 PM CST reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Minnesota Golden Gophers sports--Usually analytical, sometimes snarky.
Start posting about the Golden Gophers »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

Connect_with_facebook

SBNation.com Recent Stories

Utah wide receiver Jereme Brooks (85) celebrates a touchdown with teammates during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Steve C. Wilson)

No. 15 Pittsburgh Rallies In Fourth Quarter, But Loses To Utah In Overtime, 27-24

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 01:  Head coach Lane Kiffin talks with quarterback Matt Barkley #7 during the  USC Trojans spring game on  May 1, 2010 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California.  (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) link

In Progress: Lane Kiffin Era Begins As No. 14 USC Opens Season At Hawaii

South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia, left, celebrates a first-quarter touchdown with South Carolina tackle Kyle Nunn, center, and South Carolina guard Rokevious Watkins, right, during the first half of their NCAA college football game against Southern Mississippi, Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010, at Williams-Brice Stadium, in Columbia, S.C.  (AP Photo/Brett Flashnick) link

South Carolina Rolls Over Southern Miss, Wins 41-13

More from SBNation.com >


Managers

Mn_basketball_small GopherNation

Bigbuck_small Buck Bravo

Editors

Yp_kelly-minnesota-011_37832_small PJS

Small Jeffrick

Dsc02076_small JG2112

Caddyshack12_small JDMill