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Post by ghostofdylan on Nov 11, 2010 12:32:53 GMT -6
Coattailing on Fran's post, our advantages would appear to be:
1, The trip to Italy, which would seem to give us a jump on team organization and chemistry.
2, The ability to go as many as 12 deep, while Portland won't go any deeper than 10. This may be an occasion for the Panthers to run their offensive sets at a faster tempo and take advantage of transition opportunities, running lots of bodies at the Pilots.
3, The significant size advantage Milwaukee's starting guards enjoy over Portland's (6-3, 200 and 6-4, 200 vs. 6-1, 180 and 6-2, 165). I look for plenty of postups in the paint in an effort to exploit this.
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Post by jhart05 on Nov 11, 2010 12:45:26 GMT -6
If this Jared Stohl starts going off, I hope we see Jeter put Ryan Allen on him immediately.
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Post by buppie05 on Nov 11, 2010 13:14:06 GMT -6
Maybe its just me, but I consider us the favorite in all the games in Portland. As far as I know, we are the only team that played overseas this off-season, which is a big advantage this early in the season. Portland may have been the best team in the group last season, but as has been mentioned they lost a lot of pieces to that team (Raivio was huge) and they struggled against concordia Irvine despite giving the lion share of minutes to their starters.
This may not be a popular opinion, but I would be disappointed if we dropped any of the games on this road trip.
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Post by ghostofdylan on Nov 11, 2010 13:38:54 GMT -6
I appreciate what you're saying and your enthusiasm, Buppie.
But as everyone knows by now, it's tough to win anywhere on the road in college basketball, especially somewhere where there's a program in place. Both Niagara and Portland have this.
I would expect that we'll be a mild underdog (two to five points) in both true road games.
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Post by BBFran on Nov 11, 2010 13:44:47 GMT -6
We'll all be disappointed to lose any game. But Portland and Niagara are good teams with talent, playing at home. Look at how hard it is to beat even a Loyola or a Youngstown on the road. The edge always goes to the home team in college hoops unless there is a huge disparity in talent or experience. Let's hope there is, or if there isn't let's hope our guys just play better, but I see nothing about these two games to think we should consider ourselves the favorite in either.
And we also all know that Rob's teams tend to come out of the block slowly. That's something he has to improve, and I hope with the Italy trip and the deep roster this is the year it does improve.
We must have one of the toughest opening couple weeks in mid-major hoops, between the 4 game coast-to-coast road trip and coming home to play two NCAA tournament teams in rapid succession, so if there was ever a good year to start fast, this would be it.
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Post by Super King on Nov 11, 2010 15:33:26 GMT -6
The Niagara game will be immense. If we win that game, on the road, against a team that beat us at home last year, after flying across the entire country, after just a two-day layoff, we can beat absolutely anyone on our schedule.
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Kingsbury
Junior
Sadly, no longer in the "Fear 42" Fan Club!!!
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Post by Kingsbury on Nov 11, 2010 16:29:24 GMT -6
Has anyone found a point spread yet? Portland opens - 4 per Vegas Insider |
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Post by ghostofdylan on Nov 11, 2010 17:12:57 GMT -6
For context, Alabama was favored over the Panthers by 2.5 in the first-round game in 2005 and Boston College was favored by 4.5.
Homecourt advantage most definitely matters in college hoops.
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Post by PANTHERfan on Nov 11, 2010 19:30:14 GMT -6
3 Panther fans have landed in Portland, 3 more on the way tomorrow. Does anyone happen to know if there is any sort of official gathering anywhere?
Looking forward to our first game tomorrow!
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Post by ghostofdylan on Nov 11, 2010 21:08:43 GMT -6
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Post by Super King on Nov 11, 2010 22:52:44 GMT -6
The fact that they're replacing so many players could be a key factor in the first game of the season.
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Post by PantherU on Nov 12, 2010 1:11:55 GMT -6
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Post by Pounce Needs Pals on Nov 12, 2010 8:07:02 GMT -6
Has anyone found a point spread yet? Portland opens - 4 per Vegas Insider Panthers are now a 7 point dog. |
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Post by uwmplanner on Nov 12, 2010 8:10:21 GMT -6
I gotta admit that I am pumped. Came to work early to get my crap done so I can listen later and only focus on the game. I am ready for what I think will be a great season.
Better yet I can watch the game according to our website.
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Kingsbury
Junior
Sadly, no longer in the "Fear 42" Fan Club!!!
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Post by Kingsbury on Nov 12, 2010 9:05:09 GMT -6
Portland opens - 4 per Vegas Insider Panthers are now a 7 point dog. +250 moneyline  . 3 point move in one day on what should be a meaningless game to bet on officially puts this game in the Bill Simmons' "Vegas Zone". |
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. 3 point move in one day on what should be a meaningless game to bet on officially puts this game in the Bill Simmons' "Vegas Zone".