SuperHornet
Well-known member
Anyone got opinions on this game?
I've come to the conclusion that the whole concept is meaningless. Though I do have to admit that I'm intrigued about a matchup that I thought was going to be automatic LAST year in the NCAAs.
It appears that UOP's early season problems may be behind them as the rotation has finally been found. However, don't expect the same team that you saw on TV in the NCAAs the last few years. The fact that the kinks have been worked out doesn't mean that UOP is going to dominate like one would have expected before.
The key loss is forward Christian Maraker, who is currently getting screwed in Europe. The key addition is PG Solomon Horsechief, who came in as a JC transfer. Now that he's getting his shot over returnee Steffan Johnson, Horsechief is proving his worth. Johnson is proving to be a good 6th man, even though he wasnt' as effective as expected as a starter. Center Mike White is not progressing as Tiger fans had hoped, and may prove to be one of the key liabilities in the paint. Another point of concern is Anthony Esparza, who fell victim to the old fake shot clock trick at the BWC Tournament a couple of years ago. Of course, he's now kinda-sorta off the hook since one of the freshmen did the same cr@p in SoCal earlier this year. Don't expect that to work a second time in the same year, however. Coach Bob Thomason is the best coach to hit the conference in decades, and being a UOP alum doesn't hurt in the least. Keeping former players on the bench as coaches is proving to be a boon. Former PG Adam Jacobsen is the best hoops player I've ever seen on ANY level (yes, as far as I'm concerned, he makes MJ look like a preschooler), and he has HC experience at his alma mater. Forward Aaron Wolizco, a former role player, is on staff as well.
All in all, don't let the record lie to you. The early season chemistry finding seems to be finally over. Don't expect the Tigers to just roll over. But given the steep talent dropoff, don't expect them to run away with it, either. A win by EITHER team is probable, and it will likely be close.
Also, the consensus on the Tigers board is that once White and Esparza are gone, the team looks to rebound starting next year. Our prideful boast that UOP doesn't rebuild but reload seems to be at least semi-true, but we ARE experiencing a significant hiccup in our conference dynastic claim.
Any opinions about this game?
I've come to the conclusion that the whole concept is meaningless. Though I do have to admit that I'm intrigued about a matchup that I thought was going to be automatic LAST year in the NCAAs.
It appears that UOP's early season problems may be behind them as the rotation has finally been found. However, don't expect the same team that you saw on TV in the NCAAs the last few years. The fact that the kinks have been worked out doesn't mean that UOP is going to dominate like one would have expected before.
The key loss is forward Christian Maraker, who is currently getting screwed in Europe. The key addition is PG Solomon Horsechief, who came in as a JC transfer. Now that he's getting his shot over returnee Steffan Johnson, Horsechief is proving his worth. Johnson is proving to be a good 6th man, even though he wasnt' as effective as expected as a starter. Center Mike White is not progressing as Tiger fans had hoped, and may prove to be one of the key liabilities in the paint. Another point of concern is Anthony Esparza, who fell victim to the old fake shot clock trick at the BWC Tournament a couple of years ago. Of course, he's now kinda-sorta off the hook since one of the freshmen did the same cr@p in SoCal earlier this year. Don't expect that to work a second time in the same year, however. Coach Bob Thomason is the best coach to hit the conference in decades, and being a UOP alum doesn't hurt in the least. Keeping former players on the bench as coaches is proving to be a boon. Former PG Adam Jacobsen is the best hoops player I've ever seen on ANY level (yes, as far as I'm concerned, he makes MJ look like a preschooler), and he has HC experience at his alma mater. Forward Aaron Wolizco, a former role player, is on staff as well.
All in all, don't let the record lie to you. The early season chemistry finding seems to be finally over. Don't expect the Tigers to just roll over. But given the steep talent dropoff, don't expect them to run away with it, either. A win by EITHER team is probable, and it will likely be close.
Also, the consensus on the Tigers board is that once White and Esparza are gone, the team looks to rebound starting next year. Our prideful boast that UOP doesn't rebuild but reload seems to be at least semi-true, but we ARE experiencing a significant hiccup in our conference dynastic claim.
Any opinions about this game?
