Shantay Legans began off his profession within the Rose Metropolis on a excessive word however the wins have been minimal prior to now couple of seasons. He does have a comparatively younger roster full of a variety of underclassmen so I do count on a much bigger soar in competitors from Portland come subsequent season. The brilliant spot of a Legans-led program is the excessive scoring offense. The Pilots have scored probably the most single season factors at school historical past every of the final two years. Portland scored 2,524 factors in his inaugural 2021-2022 season after which broke that file with 2,566 complete factors final season. In 2023-2024, the Pilots have scored 2,016 factors by way of 28 video games to this point.
Tyler Harris (12.1 PPG on 46.5 FG% and 36.0 3PT% to go together with 1.0 SPG) didn’t play in opposition to the Zags within the first sport on account of an ankle damage he was coping with. The star freshman returned to the courtroom final Thursday at San Diego however did miss this previous Saturday’s sport at Pepperdine due to an sickness. Harris has missed seven of the final ten video games on account of damage/sickness and is taken into account day-to-day however I count on he must be a go for tonight’s matchup. Meaning we might lastly get to witness the battle between two of the highest freshman within the West Coast Convention. Braden Huff has earned WCC Freshman of the Week honors 4 instances this season whereas Tyler Harris has gained the award 3 times.
Harris has been one of the vital productive freshmen within the nation this yr. He ranks sixth nationally amongst freshmen in rebounds (7.4 RPG) and his 5 double-doubles are tied for fourth most within the nation for freshmen. Harris additionally ranks sixth within the WCC in rebounding and fifth in blocked photographs per sport (0.9 BPG). Enjoyable reality, he’s the primary true freshman to start out a season-opener in Legans’ seven years as a head coach (4 w/ Jap Washington, three w/ Portland).
Portland’s file –
9-19, 3-10 (W vs Lengthy Seashore State, W vs Lewis and Clark, W vs UC Riverside, L vs Tennessee State, L @ Nevada W vs Willamette, L vs Utah, L @ Portland State, W vs Wyoming, L vs Air Power, L @ North Dakota State, W @ North Dakota, L vs Grand Canyon, L @ Hawaii, L vs UMass, L vs Temple, W vs Pacific, L @ Saint Mary’s, L @ USF, L @ Santa Clara, L vs San Diego, L @ LMU, L vs USF, W @ Pacific, W vs Pepperdine, L @ Gonzaga, L vs Saint Mary’s, L @ San Diego, L @ Pepperdine)
72.0 PPG
80.7 factors allowed
43.8 FG%
33.7 3P%
72.2 FT%
33.8 RPG (tied for 342nd within the nation)
13.4 APG
4.5 SPG
2.3 BPG
13.1 TO
KenPom rankings –
#315 general
101.7 adjusted offensive effectivity (#253)
114.3 adjusted defensive effectivity (#337)
Key participant to look at for –
Tyler Robertson (senior, guard) – 16.1 PPG on 45.1 FG% and 34.7 3PT%, 4.0 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.0 SPG
Robertson ranks second within the WCC in scoring and minutes per sport (35.0 MPG). He’s certainly one of three gamers nationally with totals of 1,750 factors, 600 rebounds and 475 help(Tristen Newton – UConn and Baylor Scheierman – Creighton). The focus for Portland must be shadowed all sport lengthy. Robertson has the inexperienced mild to shoot wherever he’s on the ground.
Portland makes an attempt the thirty ninth most three-pointers within the nation at 25.6 makes an attempt per sport so perimeter protection must be the important thing. Clearly, the Zags have their gauntlet of the West Coast Convention schedule arising (Santa Clara, at USF within the Chase Middle, at Saint Mary’s) however Gonzaga must do every thing and something to keep away from a foul loss like this one. That may completely destroy their NCAA Match resume.
Gonzaga seems to make it 5 straight W’s as they journey right down to Chiles Middle to tackle Portland at 6 PM PT on ESPN+. Zags all the time journey properly for that matchup so it must be a heavy navy blue and purple crowd.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga College graduate from the Bay Space… Observe him on Twitter @a_cravalho
