Enjoying a turnaround, Pilots best story of weekend

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Duke beating Connecticut and Mike Krzyzewski defending the world's attack on his team's so-called lack of athleticism was wonderful, as was Florida's upset of Michigan State. Utah topped Illinois at the buzzer. Buzz Williams led Marquette to a surprising win over Michigan. But the best story from Friday's wild day of college basketball happened here in the shadows of Disneyland, where Portland edged No. 22 Minnesota and advanced to the championship game of the 76 Classic.

"I was most certainly impressed with Portland and the way they executed and made shots," said Minnesota coach Tubby Smith. "They did a good job defensively, so you have to give them credit where it's deserved. ... I really commend Portland on how they played."

'My first three years we got rocked, and it's nice to see us finally winning,' senior Robin Smeulders says. (Getty Images)

Portland is now 5-0 this season with wins over two Pac-10 schools (Oregon and UCLA) and a Big Ten school (Minnesota), a record that's especially nice considering these seniors spent their freshmen and sophomore years -- also known as Eric Reveno's first two years running the program -- going a combined 18-45. It was a rough run, more than twice as many losses as wins, many of them by massive margins. But now the Pilots are set to play Bob Huggins' eighth-ranked West Virginia Mountaineers on national television Sunday night with a chance to win an event featuring six schools that made last season's NCAA tournament, four of whom are currently ranked in the AP Top 25.

"I'm so proud of these guys," said Reveno, who briefly seemed on the verge of tears after the win over Minnesota. "We worked hard to get here, and it kind of chokes me up."

A little later on, I mentioned to Reveno that he now has a team with a body of work worthy of a national ranking regardless of what happens against West Virginia. I asked if he had considered that, what it meant, how it sounded. Reveno thought for a moment, then acknowledged a national ranking would be a huge deal for his program, which was refreshing given how so many coaches try to pretend such things don't matter one way or another even though they so clearly do.

"It's tough to get your hands around what could happen," Reveno said. "It's tough not to get distracted, but we have to let the guys celebrate these big victories and accolades that come with them."

A guy Reveno won't have to tell to celebrate is Robin Smeulders, one of the aforementioned seniors who got 13 points and six rebounds against Minnesota. Smeulders is not only hoping for a Top 25 ranking, he's anticipating it. Hell, he's requesting it. So take note, AP voters, and don't let this 6-foot-10 German down.

"I think we deserve it," Smeulders said. "My first three years we got rocked, sometimes by 40 points, and it's nice to see us finally battling and winning against some solid teams. And it wouldn't surprise me one bit if we were ranked after this tournament."

Wouldn't surprise me, either.

I can't speak for the AP and coaches polls.

But the Pilots will be in the Top 25 (and one), guaranteed.

The 76 Classic title game won't determine if they're in, just where they land.