2007-08 Pilots Enter Uncharted Waters
January 08, 2008
Shreveport, La. - Three wins over NCAA programs, a #1 Massey rating and thirteen consecutive victories later, the 2007-08 LSUS men’s basketball team has accomplished what no other team in school history has been able to.
On November 1, 2007, the LSUS Pilots defeated McNeese State University, 86-80, for the school’s first-ever victory over a NCAA Division-1 program.
Five days later, the Pilots pulled off the feat again, this time against crosstown rival Centenary College. LSUS defeated Centenary, 80-72, in the “Shreveport Showdown” in front of a near capacity crowd at the Gold Dome on Centenary’s campus for their second victory over a NCAA D-1 school in less than a week.
The Pilots completed the NCAA hat trick one month later, as they traveled to Natchitoches on December 8 and knocked off the Northwestern State Demons on their home floor. The win over NSU was the first victory in four tries for the Pilots versus the Demons.
In addition to the three early season wins over NCAA Division-1 teams, the Pilots also dismantled of every NAIA school they played in the 2007 portion of their 2007-08 schedule. For their efforts and incredible start to the season, the Pilots finished 2007 ranked #3 in the Victory Sports Network Poll, #5 in the NAIA Coaches’ Poll, and more notably #1 in the Massey ratings.
The Massey ratings are a computer rating by Kenneth Massey that uses several different variables to determine a teams rating, with the key variable being win-loss outcomes relative to schedule difficulty. The Massey ratings are considered to be one of “the most scientific and full-featured systems available for analyzing the performance of members of a competitive league.” The Pilots finished 2007 in the Massey ratings as the #1 team in the NAIA and the #152 team at any level. At #152, the Pilots are ranked higher than any other school in the entire state of Louisiana.
After already accomplishing so much in the early portion of the 2007-08 season, the Pilots had plenty to look forward to as they entered the new year and the first weekend of Gulf Coast Athletic Conference play.
Coming off three consecutive GCAC Championship seasons, the Pilots entered conference play undefeated and in search of their fourth conference title. LSUS got off to a great start by defeating Loyola University on Thursday night, picking up their 12th consecutive victory to begin the season which tied a school record.
On Saturday, January 5, 2008, the 2007-08 Pilots etched their names into the record books once again, as they defeated Southern University in New Orleans, 93-84. The 13th straight victory for the Pilots surpassed the previous record set by the 2005-06 team which began the season 12-0. The 13 wins for the Pilots are currently the most of any team in the NAIA this season.
In just five short years, the LSUS men’s basketball program has reached heights that no one could have ever envisioned. 114 wins later, the Pilots have gone from the ranks of the unknown to a NAIA national powerhouse.
Will 2008 be the year they finish on top? If the first 13 games of the season are any indication of what could be in store, you might want to jump on board the ship the 2007-08 Pilots are steering.
LSUS will open up their 2008 home schedule on Thursday night versus Belhaven College. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 PM.
