Gophers vs. the Portland Pilots - OFFICIAL GAME THREAD
by GopherNation on Nov 27, 2009 6:30 PM CST
in Gopher Basketball
87 comments
Minnesota Golden Gophers at Portland Pilots, Nov 27, 2009 8:30 PM CST
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 |
87 comments
Email
Print
Comments
And there is Portland's first 3
That didn’t take long
by rencito on Nov 27, 2009 8:38 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
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 0 recs
Refs quick the whistles on us
again. This could be a long night.
by rencito on Nov 27, 2009 8:41 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
That is what we need from Nolen
driving the lane.
by rencito on Nov 27, 2009 8:41 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
The announcer has no idea what he is talking about
Tubby commonly subs 5 at a time.
by rencito on Nov 27, 2009 8:49 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
Okay, maybe we are good at layups
Lets do more of that
by rencito on Nov 27, 2009 9:22 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
We don't look like we want to win this game
Portland just wants this more.
by rencito on Nov 27, 2009 9:25 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
What's out shooting percentage?
About 15%?
by COJOMAY on Nov 27, 2009 9:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
Not when you are getting out played
in every facet.
by rencito on Nov 27, 2009 10:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
