WCC Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2023-24 season
By Tuck Clarry
6. Portland Pilots
After a surprising first year at Portland, it was nearly impossible to escape Shantay Legans’ name being brought up as the next earmarked name for when a power school’s head coaching position had an opening. Not a single scholarship player was left on the Pilots’ roster heading into the season two years ago and Legans still brought the Pilots to as many wins in one season as their last head coach’s entire tenure.
But marred by injuries and close losses, the Pilots were unable to build on previous success and finished eighth in conference play last season. The defense fell off the second year, largely due to the lack of size and even bodies able to bang down low. Rebounding was a nonfactor for Portland on both ends of the court, finishing 311th in offensive rebounding rate and finishing in the bottom 100 in offensive rebounds allowed on the other end.
The frustrating season resulted in the departures of point guard Mike Meadows, sharpshooter Moses Wood, stretch big Kristian Sjolund and undersized big Chika Nduka. However, the Pilots’ offseason was buoyed by the return of scoring wing Tyler Robertson, who can methodically get to his spots against anyone in the league.
A big leap will need to be taken by point guard Juan Sebastian Gorosito, an undersized point guard who can shoot it but was bullied and targeted often on the other side of the court. Gorosito shot 39% from three last season and will need to show a greater ability to get shots for other guys. Chis Austin returns from a medical redshirt designation last season. The 6-foot-4 shooting guard was a trusted shot hunter for Legans their first year in Portland.
Legans addressed the rebound weakness aggressively in the offseason, bringing in 6-foot-8 Alimamy Koroma and 6-foot-10 Yuto Yamanouchi-Williams from the portal. Adding returning junior big Vasilije Vucinic and the Pilots have a frontcourt depth they simply haven’t the last two seasons. Time will tell if the losses of Meadows, Wood and Sjolund will mean the offense will take a hit.