Complete Release (PDF)
Game Information
Portland opens West Coast Conference play on the road Saturday against Northwest rival Gonzaga. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. at the McCarthey Athletic Center. The Pilots (9-6) have won two straight after defeating Seattle on Sunday, 71-67. Gonzaga (9-4) has been ranked most of the regular season and earned an overtime victory over No. 15 Tennessee on Wednesday, 89-79, snapping a three-game losing streak.
Game Coverage
The contest will be televised live on FSN Northwest with Greg Heister and Craig Ehlo calling the action. The game can be heard live on AM 970 (KCMD) with a web simulcast at portlandpilots.com.
About The Pilots
Portland (9-6) concluded its non-conference season with a 71-67 victory over Seattle University on Sunday at the Chiles Center. Junior F/C Robin Smeulders led the way with 22 points and seven rebounds as the Pilots held off the Redhawks down the stretch with free throws. Portland played without starting sophomore C Kramer Knutson (concussion) for the fourth straight game, but he is listed as probable for Saturday.
The nine victories are the second most non-conference wins for Portland in 13 years and just the fourth time in the last 10 years that Portland has finished non-league play with a winning record. The 2004-05 Pilots posted an 11-4 non-league mark, but finished the year at 15-15.
Junior G Nik Raivio leads four Pilots averaging double figures and is fourth in the West Coast Conference in scoring at 16.2 points per game. Smeulders is 11th in the conference in scoring (12.9). Knutson is shooting 70 percent from the field (35-50) to lead the league, while Stohl paces the conference in three-pointers made per game (2.7).
Junior PG T.J. Campbell has been a strong addition to the roster and averages 10.1 points and 5.1 assists. A Glendale (Ariz.) Junior College transfer, Campbell is among the conference leaders in six statistical categories.
Portland leads the WCC in field goal percentage (.474) and is second in both three-point field goal percentage (.377) and assists (15.5). The team’s 71.6 points per game average is fourth in the league and 8.5 points higher than last year’s average.
Head coach Eric Reveno returns 80 percent of the team’s scoring and 87 percent of its rebounding from last year’s squad. Picked to finish sixth in the WCC Preseason Coaches’ Poll, Reveno’s roster features eight underclassmen and no seniors.
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 Pilots will be competing with perhaps the best returning core group of players in WCC 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 history. The Pilots will play 11 total games this season against teams that advanced to postseason play last year.
About Gonzaga
The Bulldogs (9-4) opened the season with seven straight wins and were ranked as high as No. 4 in the nation. Playing a rigorous schedule that included three ranked opponents, Gonzaga lost four of five games prior to a crucial 89-79 overtime win at No. 15 Tennessee on the road Wednesday. Junior G Matt Bouldin led the way with 26 points for the Zags, who trailed by as much as 14 points in the first half.
Senior C Josh Heytvelt leads four Zags’ averaging double figures at 14.9 points per game and 6.8 rebounds. Sophomore Austin Daye adds 13.1 points and 6.2 rebounds. Gonzaga is averaging 77.6 points, while allowing only 63.8. The Zags trail only Portland in the WCC in field goal percentage (.472) and are tops in field goal percentage defense (.372) and assists (16.2).
The Pilots and Bulldogs have faced two common opponents, each defeating Idaho and losing to Portland State. PSU defeated Gonzaga 77-70 in Spokane over the Holiday break.
Head coach Mark Few is in his 10th year at the helm and has led GU to the NCAA playoffs each year. Few posts a 245-64 career record and has led the Bulldogs three NCAA Sweet 16 appearances.
Portland-Gonzaga Series Notes
All-Time: GON leads 82-65
At GON: GON leads 39-22
At UP: UP leads 34-31
At Neutral: GON leads 3-2
At Unknown: GON leads 9-7
Current Streak: GON, 10 wins
Last Meeting: Gonzaga 73, Portland 51 (2/25/08, at Portland)
