National Polls (Nov. 30)
PORTLAND, Ore. --- Portland is nationally ranked for the first time in 50 years. The Pilots are No. 25 in the latest Associated Press Top 25 after reaching the finals of what was termed the most difficult regular season tournament in the country. The Pilots (5-1) knocked off UCLA and No. 16 Minnesota, before falling to No. 8 West Virginia in the 76 Classic Championship game on Sunday at the Anaheim Convention Center.
Portland is also receiving votes in the ESPN/USA Today men’s basketball coaches poll, tied with Florida State in 27th place and just 13 votes shy of California at No. 25.
The Pilots were ranked for three weeks in the AP Poll during the 1958-59 season, the program’s first at the Division I level. That squad would go on to compete in the NCAA Tournament.
Head coach Eric Reveno led his experienced Pilots to a big win last week over Oregon (88-81) and entered the 76 Classic with a 3-0 record. The eight-team tournament featured four Top 25 teams and six teams that made the NCAA Tournament last year. The Pilots navigated their way to a decisive 74-47 win over UCLA in the opening round and led from start-to-finish in a 61-56 victory against No. 16 Minnesota. Portland struggled from the perimeter and to rebound against No. 8 West Virginia, but were still only down 10 with four minutes remaining before falling by an 84-66 margin. Senior point guard T.J. Campbell was named to the 76 Classic All-Tournament team after averaging 16.7 points in the three games.
The West Coast Conference is well represented in the rankings as Gonzaga also cracked both Top 25 polls. The Bulldogs are No. 16 in the ESPN/USA Today Poll and No. 17 in the AP Poll. Saint Mary’s is also receiving votes in the coaches poll.
Other notable national basketball writers have taken notice of the Pilots. CBSSports.com’s Gary Parrish lists Portland at No. 17 in his Top 25 (and 1), while FoxSports.com’s Jeff Goodman has the Pilots ranked No. 20 in his national power rankings.
“Being ranked in the Top 25 at this point of the season is not necessarily a great accomplishment in and of itself,” Reveno noted, “but it is a tremendous milestone for us as we progress as a program. Our goals still are set on winning a WCC Championship and making the NCAA Tournament. It is good to be on the national radar. We worked hard to get here so we should embrace the attention, but we’ll know by the end of the season if it is truly deserved.”
The Pilots will look to prove their ranking with a tough test on Wednesday as they host crosstown rival Portland State. The Vikings have reached the NCAA Tournament each of the last two seasons and have won three in a row in the series with the Pilots. Tip-off on Wednesday is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Chiles Center.
Tickets are still available for all upcoming Portland home games online at Ticketmaster.com, by calling (800) 745-3000 or in-person at Pilot Box Office (M-F, 11am-5pm). For more information, visit portlandpilots.com or contact the Pilot Box Office at (503) 943-7525.
