Portland basketball fell hard in Terry Porter’s first season. What happened to the former Trail Blazer and the Pilots?
Portland basketball was my WCC sleeper way back in December. They had hired former Portland Trail Blazer Terry Porter and possessed maybe the best point guard in the league with Alec Wintering. It was unlikely they could crack the top three with Gonzaga, Saint Mary’s and BYU in the way, but fourth was definitely possible.
They were doing ok until January 19th when Wintering went down with an ACL tear in his left knee. The senior guard had been averaging 19.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists and two steals per game. The Pilots had been fine offensively up until then, but haven’t scored more than 65 points since his injury and are now 303rd in offensive efficiency. The team has dropped all the way to last in the conference at 2-14 and 10-19 overall. The loss of their senior leader has effectively torpedoed the year.
Wintering hasn’t been the only casualty this season either. The Pilots have had only three players play in all 29 games this year. The numerous absences have forced Coach Porter to use a variety of lineups and rotations at the expense of consistency. It’s maybe a blessing in disguise that so many players have been used; that way next season’s squad has more even more experience playing together.
Wintering’s injury has let junior forward Gabe Taylor and sophomore guard Jazz Johnson take the lead. The two Pilots combine for just over 26 points and seven rebounds a game. Johnson, in particular, has blossomed as the new primary point guard; he is the leading assist man at 2.3 and shoots well from deep at 41%. Next year Johnson and Taylor will lead seven returning players who will have seen extensive action. Only seniors Wintering, Jarrel Marshall and Ray Barreno are currently scheduled to depart the program.
Next: Five reasons why Gonzaga can win it all
This season is over, but UP fans should be looking forward to next year. They have their productive duo back along with a battle-tested unit of young, promising guys. There are also four faces coming aboard as well. Terry Porter could improve the Pilots as soon as next year if guys take steps forward.