Complete Release (PDF) I Live Video I Audio (7 p.m.)
Game Information
The University of Portland men’s basketball team continues its current three-game road trip with a game at the University of Northern Colorado on Tuesday. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. (PST) at the Butler-Hancock Sports Pavilion. The Pilots (5-3) are coming off of a competitive 91-76 loss at BYU on Saturday as the Cougars remained undefeated and extended their home win streak to 53 games. The Bears (2-5) dropped a 85-66 at Creighton on Saturday.
Game Coverage
Tuesday’s game will be available on 970 AM (KCMD). Due to prior programming commitments, the game will be delayed and the broadcast will begin at 7 p.m. All Portland games will have a free audio simulcast at portlandpilots.com. The game will also be videostreamed live at bigskytv.org.
About The Pilots
Portland (5-3) played well for a half against undefeated BYU before dropping a 91-76 decision at the Marriott Center. It extended BYU’s home winning streak to a nation’s best 53 games. Junior G Nik Raivio led Portland with 18 points and seven rebounds. Three other Pilots reached double figures, but BYU shot 62 percent from the field as a team. The Pilots played without starting F Ethan Niedermeyer (high ankle sprain) for the third straight game and he is listed as doubtful for Tuesday.
Raivio leads the Pilots and is fourth in the WCC in scoring at 16.0 points per game. Junior F Robin Smeulders has scored double figures in all eight games and ranks seventh in the league in scoring (14.1). Balance has been the key as four different players have led the Pilots in scoring through eight games. The team is also averaging 71.2 points per game, compared to 63.1 ppg last season. A big reason for the increased production is offensive efficiency, as Portland is second in the WCC in field goal percentage (.468). Portland has held a second half lead in every game except BYU this season, while six games have been decided by six points or less.
Junior PG T.J. Campbell has been a pleasant addition and is second the WCC in assists (4.9) and three-point percentage (.474). Campbell, a transfer from Glendale JC (Ariz.), ranks among the WCC leaders in five statistical categories.
Smeulders was named the WCC Player of the Week on Nov. 17 following his 20-point, 6-rebound performance in a season-opening, 80-74 victory Washington. The Braunschweig, Germany native made numerous clutch baskets down the stretch to secure the win for the Pilots.
One of the main focuses for the program throughout the offseason was improving in the weight room. The results are noticeable, as every player has either added good basketball weight or dropped pounds, if necessary. Reveno describes sophomore center Jasonn Hannibal as the “poster boy” for the strength and conditioning program. Hannibal dropped 30 pounds and reduced his body fat to below 10 percent.
The increased physicality will be necessary as the Pilots will be competing with perhaps the best returning core group of players in West Coast Conference basketball history. After a banner year in which the league sent a record three teams to the NCAA Tournament, 13 of 15 starters will be returning to those squads. Gonzaga, Saint Mary’s and San Diego are the favorites to compete for the WCC crown again this year as the league moves the WCC Tournament to a neutral site (Las Vegas, Nev.) for the first time in school history. The Pilots will play 11 total games this season against teams that advanced to postseason play last year.
About Northern Colorado
The Bears (2-5) are coming off of an 85-66 loss at Creighton on Saturday night. UNC lost starting forward Jefferson Mason over the weekend as he decided to transfer. Fellow starter Robert Palacios has missed the last two games due to injury and will be a game-time decision on Tuesday. UNC has played a series of close games. The Bears have earned wins over Denver in overtime and Texas State. They started the season with a two-point loss at Oregon and have also played tough against San Diego State (73-62) and Air Force (71-64). UNC is an offensive team that scores 72.3 points per game. Senior F Jabril Banks leads three players in double figures at 13.9 per game. Junior G Will Figures adds 11.1 points and leads the team with 19 assists. Head coach Tad Boyle is in his third year at the helm of the Bears. Boyle posts a 19-45 overall record after leading the Bears to a 13-16 mark last season. UNC finished tied for seventh in the Big Sky Conference with a 6-10 record. The Bears were picked to finish sixth in this year’s BSC Preseason Poll by both the media and the coaches. UNC returns four starters and nine lettermen.
Portland-Northern Colorado State Series Notes
All-Time: UP leads 2-0
At UP: UP leads 2-0
At UNC: N/A
Current Streak: UP, 2 wins
Last Meeting: Portland 70, Northern Colorado 63 (12/21/07, at Portland)
