Game 10, 2023-24: vs Portland (DHC, 12/22)

[MikeUMA]

In DHC's day two, we'll play either Hawai'i or Portland. They face off after UM/GT, 11:30 PM ish Eastern on Thursday night. ESPN2 has it, same as ours.

Hawai'i is currently 7-2 on the season, and has the advantage of not having traveled since November. They were picked to finish 3rd (of 11) in the Big West. Senior guard JoVon McClanahan was named to the pre-season conference Coaches' Team.
https://hawaiiathletics.com/sports/mens ... l/schedule

Portland is 6-6, but have fallen short in 3 of their last 4. They also might be a little tired, having played Saturday at Grand Canyon (Phoenix). Portland was picked 6th (of 9) in the WCC. Senior G/F Tyler Robertson was pre-season all conference.
https://portlandpilots.com/sports/mens- ... l/schedule

If we win Thursday, we'll play Friday at 11 PM Eastern.
If we lose, we'll play around 1 AM, maybe 1:30, Eastern, technically early Saturday.

[bobolink]

In what seems to me an unusual meeting, Nevada beat Hawaii 72-66 last night in Honolulu. They're in opposite sides of the bracket later this week. Very earlier travel for Nevada. Nevada and TCU are by far the highest rated teams in the field, but they're on the same side of the bracket so only 1 can make the final.

[MikeUMA]

Hawaii favored by 8.5 tonight

[MikeUMA]

Falling tonight puts us into the consolation side of the bracket, which means tomorrow's game starts at 8:00 PM local, 1 AM Eastern, at the earliest. If the 6 PM game runs long, there's at least 20 minutes for warmup before the next. ESPN2 will have it again.

[Juice Stand]

We're facing Portland tonight (tomorrow morning?). I'd love to see our guys come out angry and beat the ever loving piss out of these guys to shake off that meltdown from last night. Play physical, wear them down, and make some shots. Gotta have this one.

It looks like the winner gets either Old Dominion or Temple.

[stevemaz]

We're facing Portland tonight (tomorrow morning?). I'd love to see our guys come out angry and beat the ever loving piss out of these guys to shake off that meltdown from last night. Play physical, wear them down, and make some shots. Gotta have this one.

It looks like the winner gets either Old Dominion or Temple.

in terms of trying to get two wins, we were better off losing last night. A game vs Hawaii would be a tossup and we would most likley lose to either Nevada or TCU.

[Juice Stand]

What? We're better off losing last night's game? Loser talk. We should have walked into the winners side of the bracket if not for free throws. That's a surprising statement from you, the eternal over-optimist.

[stevemaz]

What? We're better off losing last night's game? Loser talk. We should have walked into the winners side of the bracket if not for free throws. That's a surprising statement from you, the eternal over-optimist.

read carefully my friend. i said in terms of winning two games in this tournament the best shot was losing last night and winning next two. Of course I would rather a win last night, tonight vs Hawaii and then game 3 for the cherry on top

[devildawg3010]

UMass 6-3 will take on the Portland Pilots (6-7) as 6.5-point favorites on Saturday, December 23, 2023 at 1 or 1:30 AM ET on ESPN2. The point total in the matchup is 161.5.

[Juice Stand]

What? We're better off losing last night's game? Loser talk. We should have walked into the winners side of the bracket if not for free throws. That's a surprising statement from you, the eternal over-optimist.

read carefully my friend. i said in terms of winning two games in this tournament the best shot was losing last night and winning next two. Of course I would rather a win last night, tonight vs Hawaii and then game 3 for the cherry on top

I did read carefully. The best shot at winning two games is definitely winning the first, without question. Now you HAVE to win two straight to get two wins.

[Plano Minuteman]

Whoever stays up to watch the entire thing live is an amazing fan, bonus points if you're on EST!

I'm on the road so planning to watch this when we get home on Christmas Day. Probably won't be hard to keep myself ignorant of the outcome.

Hope we have a few people in Oahu watching this live.

[69MG]

» Portland forward Alimamy Koroma was not available and will not participate in the Diamond Head Classic (team rules)

He's their 4th leading scorer (9.7) and 2nd leading rebounder (4.2). He's a 6'8 grad transfer. I'll take all the help we can get.

[bobolink]

listened to Portland coach's brief interview after yesterday's game and mentioned the strategy of posting up the guards. Their 6'5" and 6"6" guards may well do that, particularly with Keon and Curry.

[WillHerndonFan]

listened to Portland coach's brief interview after yesterday's game and mentioned the strategy of posting up the guards. Their 6'5" and 6"6" guards may well do that, particularly with Keon and Curry.

Good opportunity to use Ndjigue and Davis more in this game.

[Floyd]

I'm not worried about Keon , very strong kid, defends & rebounds well.
When did the team get out there? The time change and flight might have taken a toll