The Idaho State Bengals will enter the Peter W. Stott Center on Saturday night with a tough assignment: Trying to beat a team that has won 17 Big Sky games in a row and 15 in a row at home. They will also be only one rest day removed from a tough conference road game at Eastern Washington. The good news for the Bengals is that their tough non-conference schedule is finally over. After being picked to finish near the top of the Big Sky by almost everybody, the Bengals had 3 straight overtime losses to begin the season to go along with the bagel in the win column for road games. One bright spot is the continued development of junior small forward Amorrow Morgan, who has stepped up his production to become the team’s star.

For the Vikings, the story is quite different. Saturday night should be another chance to extend their great conference and home streaks while continuing a dream season. The Viks won all 3 match-ups between the two teams last season, including a 72-61 result that propelled PSU to the Big Sky Championship game. Stucki was the main point of damage, scoring 20 or more points in two of the three contests, so look for the Viks to really focus their defensive attention around him.

Match-Ups
Center
ISU: Demetrius Monroe/Deividas Busma PSU: Jamie Jones
Demetrius Monroe has had an up and down season for the Bengals, going for a double-double in his first four games and then seeing a vast drop-off in production since mid-December (averaging under 3 points per game in his last 6). Given his lack of success, 7’0” center Deividas Busma has seen more time as of late. His size could give Jamie Jones a lot of problems on the inside, but his inability to keep up with Jones may force Joe O’Brien to leave Monroe on the floor. It’s hard to envision a situation in which Jones would have any sort of advantage here unless Busma is on the court and it becomes a track meet. Look for the Bengals to exploit this mismatch and see where it takes them.
Advantage: Bengals

Power Forward
ISU: Chron Tatum PSU: Kyle Coston
After not seeing much time at the beginning of the season, Chron Tatum has recently worked his way into the rotation as an important body in the front line. His preference for inside play will likely make Kyle Coston uncomfortable, as he prefers to hover around the three point line. The winner of this match-up will depend on who gets the ball more often in places where he can be successful, as neither is much of a creator on his own. Given that Tatum’s preference is for easier shots, look for him to produce more than Coston.
Advantage: Bengals

Small Forward
ISU: Amorrow Morgan PSU: Phil Nelson
The junior from Memphis has become the go-to guy for the Bengals this season, at one point scoring 31 points (versus Boise State). Fortunately for the Bengals, he has the opportunity to be guarded by a player who could be called a project defensively. Nelson is making strides and can make amazing plays on either end, but is also one to take plays off and let his marks score easily. Nelson will get a chance to prove all of the doubters wrong here, and perhaps put the Big Sky on notice. One game after the exciting show down between two of the premier point guards in the Big Sky, Viking fans will get to see the first iteration of a dandy of a small forward match-up in person. I’m hesitant to pick either one, as they are two of the conference’s brightest stars, and should be exciting for the rest of this season and next at least.
Advantage: Push

Shooting Guard
ISU: Kal Bay PSU: Andre Murray
Kal Bay is a bit of an unknown to the Viks, but he will definitely be one to keep an eye on. After playing his freshman season at the University of Colorado, Bay transferred to the College of Eastern Utah where he had a solid year. He is the least of the Vikings worries from an offensive standpoint, but they will make sure to get a hand in his face when he is shooting the 3 ball because he can fill it up if given the chance. Andre Murray will get a chance to prove his mettle in this match-up. This is one of the games when the Vikings will need a big scoring night from both Murray and Dominic Waters if they are going to have any chance at winning. They both have the potential to score 20 or more points and I have no doubt that they will both do that in this game.
Advantage: Vikings

Point Guard
ISU: Matt Stucki PSU: Jeremiah Dominguez
This should be another of the intriguing point guard match-ups to watch this season. It is also unique because Stucki stands a full foot taller than Dominguez. While one player has the size and power advantage, the other has the quickness and hand speed advantage. No matter who is more productive, these two all-conference performers should put on a show. Stucki and Dominguez matched up 3 times last season, with Stucki getting the better of Dominguez in two of the three. The good thing for Viking fans is that Dominguez outperformed Stucki at the Stott Center. The Vikings will need him to do that again if they are going to win this one.
Advantage: Vikings

Bench
Depending on who starts for the Bengals, they could have two seven-footers available to come off the bench. Although neither is a huge scoring threat, they should be able to affect the way PSU chooses to defend the rest of the team. The Bengals also have Donnie Carson and Austin Kilpatrick on the bench, two players who have the potential to make a difference if they get enough shots. The Viking bench will again include Dominic Waters, Tyrell Mara, and Wendell Wright, with the potential for Mickey Polis to make an appearance. Ken Bone and Viking fans will have to hope that Waters can continue to impact games as he has so far this season. Mara may also have an important role in this game if Coston has trouble being physical with Tatum down low.
Advantage: Vikings

I’m not sure why, but I think the Bengals match up really well with the Vikings this season. If any team has the athletes at the right positions to knock off the Vikings at home, it’s either the Weber State Wildcats or these Bengals. On this night I think the Vikings will prevail. Perhaps a game later in the season would allow a different outcome, but given the current records and production I’m going with the Vikings at home.
Prediction: PSU 76 ISU 71

Sorry to all the fans expecting previews for recent games. I was enjoying the holidays with my family and had very little time at the computer. However, I’ll be back on board for the rest of the season. After flipping the calendar over into the new year, the Vikings are sitting pretty with a game over all the other teams in the Big Sky, as well as the confidence that comes with winning the tough games. That said, 3 of the wins have come against teams that the Vikings should have blown out, and were only able to grind out. Although the 2008-09 Wildcat squad may not be the toughest squad that has ever stepped out onto the court, there is no doubt that they will play tough and force the Vikings to beat them. They have had some sub par performances like the thrashings they took at the hands of BYU and Utah State, they will have the seasoning that comes from playing the big teams which should benefit them long term.

Match-Ups
Center
WSU: Steve Panos PSU: Jamie Jones
Although Panos saw most of his time playing a hybrid big man with Valeika in the lineup, he has flourished as the full-time center, averaging 11 points per game. Although his production has dipped a bit in recent weeks, there is no reason to believe that he won’t be able to right the ship. On the other side, Jamie Jones will be happy to return to the comfort of playing at home against a similarly-sized opponent. Jamie has had a tough time when forced to match-up with larger opponents, and has scored 4 or fewer points on four occasions. Ultimately, Jones should be the more productive of the two if he can stay out of foul trouble and avoid being too physical with Panos.
Advantage: Vikings

Power Forward
WSU: Kyle Bullinger PSU: Kyle Coston
Bullinger and Coston both play the role of the “other guy” on the court. The hope is that they don’t screw it up for the other players on the team. However, each is capable of having a big night if their outside jumper is on. For Bullinger, that happened in the Wildcats last game (scored 17 in the win over Northern Colorado). Randy Rahe and Wildcat fans will have to hope he can reproduce that effort in order to fill the likely gap at small forward left by Hansen. If not, Davis will get the call. After starting the season strong, what has happened to Kyle Coston. The Horde’s favorite player has disappeared on the offensive end after a stretch early in the season when he scored in double-figures in 5 straight contests. Whatever has happened, perhaps some home cooking will help Kyle rebound, as the Viks will need him during the Big Sky schedule.
Advantage: Push

Small Forward
WSU: Nick Hansen PSU: Phil Nelson
Hansen will be a new face to the Vikings who presents an interesting match-up. He has seen a major drop off in production in recent games, but has at times shown the potential to contribute offensively. He may have trouble shooting over the 6’7” Nelson, who has shown defensive improvement over the course of the season. Nelson has also become much more consistent offensively in recent games (8 games in a row with 10 or more points), even when his outside shot hasn’t been falling. Perhaps this is the beginning of his evolution into the star that Viking fans expect him to become. Nelson should definitely handle Hansen, the question is what will happen when Davis is inserted into the lineup.
Advantage: Vikings

Shooting Guard
WSU: Damian Lillard PSU: Andre Murray
Although listed at shooting guard for match-up purposes, I’m sure Lillard considers himself a point guard. He has that in common with Dominic Waters. Ball handling duties will likely be shared between Lillard and McCoy. For the PSU fans not familiar with Lillard, he was referred to as “the steal of the year” by Scouts Inc. when he committed to Weber State despite many other offers. Based on Ken Bone’s comments after the win at Northern Arizona, it will be interesting to see if he inserts Dominic Waters into the starting lineup or sticks with “Draeno.” Either way, the Viks will have a guy coming off the bench capable of scoring 20 or more points, which is a great luxury they didn’t have last year. Although Lillard is very talented, he lacks the experience that either candidate for the Vikings possesses, and thus they will get the nod.
Advantage: Vikings

Point Guard
WSU: Kellen McCoy PSU: Jeremiah Dominguez
This should be one of the most fun match-ups to watch this season. These two gritty point men led their respective teams in the most recent contest between the two, and there is no reason to believe this one should be any different. Although listed at 5’6” they find ways to score both inside and outside while providing intensity on the defensive end. Even though he’s one of the top players in the Big Sky, McCoy gets the short end of the stick here as I’m picking Dominguez. Watch out though. If he has a good shooting night, he has the potential to give Jeremiah a run for his money.
Advantage: Vikings

Bench
Morris, Mahoney, and Davis are definitely a solid group coming off the bench. The question is how they are going to compare with the Dom Waters & Company. Davis was insanely good against the Vikings last year (averaged over 21 points per game), and the Wildcats have to hope he’ll be able to duplicate that kind of effort if they have any chance of keeping up with Waters on Thursday. Although Waters has been great, and Julius Thomas has continued his development, Ken Bone is searching for something more from the rest of the bench. Tyrell Mara and Wendell Wright have both produced very little, even in extended minutes. Both teams have the guy capable of starting, then the rest. We’ll have to watch on Thursday night to see who excels in their opportunities.
Advantage: Push

Prediction: PSU 76 WSU 69

Wednesday night sees the Portland State Vikings traveling to San Luis Obispo to take on the Cal Poly Mustangs. The Vikings and Mustangs have met each of the past two years, winning one game apiece. The teams have gone in opposite directions since the beginning of this series, with the Vikings becoming a conference champion and the Mustangs struggling mightily. The toughest pill to swallow at Cal Poly may be the one that tells them that the current team is comprised primarily of upper classmen, yet can’t manage a winning record. If not, then it has to be the caliber of the teams they’re losing to, who aren’t perennial NCAA contenders. At least they have a good football program.
Common Opponents:
Rice– PSU 1-0, CP 0-1
Seattle– PSU 2-0, CP 0-1

Match-Ups
Center
CP: Titus Shelton PSU: Jamie Jones
Although Shelton struggled against Portland State last year, he was going up against Scott Morrison. The 6’7” 240 pound Shelton should have an easier time with Jamie Jones. He has the bulk to muscle Jamie out of the way, and has used it so far to become the leading scorer for the Mustangs at 12.3 points per contest. His numbers have dropped off significantly after scoring in double figures in the first four games. Aside from the game against Hampton, Jones has been fairly predictable. He has used his solid post moves to dominate against smaller defenders, and has struggled against true centers. Shelton should be a fairly even match-up for Jones because he has the added bulk of a center, but not the height. I suspect that we’ll see Jones go for about 15 points and 8 rebounds. Shelton should be in the same neighborhood for the Mustangs if he can stay out of foul trouble.
Advantage: Push

Power Forward
CP: Wes Dipprey PSU: Kyle Coston
Although his size rivals that of Coston, Dipprey leads Cal Poly in rebounding at 6.3 per game. Although not much of a scoring threat, he tends to be an asset on the defensive end of the floor. Dipprey goes up against Kyle Coston, who will be anxious to prove that he can once again be an asset to the Vikings after a game in which he went just 2 of 6 from the charity stripe, and fouled out.
Advantage: Vikings

Small Forward
CP: Shawn Lewis PSU: Phil Nelson
The star in waiting for the Mustangs, Lewis is averaging 9.1 points per game as a sophomore, including a 15 point effort against BYU. In perhaps his second best game, he scored 14 points and had just one turnover in a Sunday loss to Seattle. After a tough first half against the Huskies, Phil Nelson was able to rebound for 13 points. Unfortunately, the first half deficit proved just enough to hold off the Vikings, who lost by one. Viking fans are hoping the half-time transformation is the sign of Nelson shaking off his flu-like symptoms, and that he can build on his second half effort. If he does, he becomes a dangerous match-up, especially for a much shorter defender like Lewis. Look for Nelson to try to work a little more inside the 3 point line this time, as he tries to take advantage of the mismatch.
Advantage: Vikings

Shooting Guard
CP: Lorenzo Keeler PSU: Andre Murray
Keeler was held to only 7 points against the Vikings in 2007, managing only four shots from the field. His numbers this season are almost identical to those of last season at this juncture. Given the great job that Murray and Lucas were able to do on Keeler last season, look for Ken Bone to apply a lot of pressure in the hopes that he can shut him down again. If he does, this game won’t be close. A mediocre team like the Mustangs can’t afford to lose the production of a leading scorer, especially when his opponent is productive. That is exactly what “Draeno” has been this year. He has been what many analysts call the “glue guy, or stat sheet stuffer” providing points, rebounds, or assists in any given game, dependent on what the team has needed. (For those of you who think you know how valuable he is, take a glance at his game-by-game numbers.) The one negative category in which he has high numbers is turnovers. If he can cut down there, as well as limit the number of fouls he gives, Murray should be on his way to a first- team All Big Sky nomination.
Advantage: Vikings

Point Guard
CP: Trae Clark PSU: Jeremiah Dominguez
The Mustangs haven’t been good this year. However, that could change if Clark was more productive. Unlike the other veterans on this ball club, his numbers have gone way down, just like the team. If he can’t find a way to rekindle his former success soon, he might lose his starting spot, and for good reason. Unfortunately for Poly, any transition won’t be easy. The next match-up for Clark is Jeremiah Dominguez. Although the Vikings weren’t able to pull out the victory against the Huskies, Dominguez did all he could. He was as productive as his blue-chip counterpart, even after sitting out two games with bone chips in his finger. With a lesser opponent, Dominguez should dominate. If the Viks can secure a victory early, don’t be surprised if Jeremiah sits early to continue the healing process.
Advantage: Vikings

Bench
One of the best players for Cal Poly is their sixth man, Chaz Thomas who provides 9 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists per game. The one bright spot aside from Shawn Lewis may be freshman David Hanson, who is averaging 5 points and 4 rebounds per game. The Viking bench had a huge night against Washington, with Dominic Waters providing 19 points, and Tyrell Mara pulling down 7 rebounds. Although it wasn’t enough, the bench was able to contribute to an effort that kept the game close enough, and should be applauded for their effort. When Dominic Waters starts on the bench, the Vikings have one of the best benches in the country, not just the Big Sky.
Advantage: Vikings

The Vikings need a win in this game to get the sour taste of the Washington loss out of their mouths. They also need it to build confidence going into a tough conference home opener against the Grizzlies on Saturday. If the team plays up to its potential, they should win big. However, it is very important that they don’t overlook a team with four talented guards going into the Montana and Gonzaga games. Look for Dominguez and Jones to set the tone early with Waters, Murray, and Nelson finishing off the job.
Prediction: PSU 76 CP 63

On Sunday, the Portland State Vikings take their 7-1 record to Seattle to take on the Washington Huskies. Phil Nelson and Ken Bone return to their old stomping grounds where the Viks have had very little success. Unfortunately, this game is just the beginning of what will be a tough non-conference schedule the rest of the way. One plus is that the game will be televised on Fox Sports Net, so Viking fans will get to see their team play on tv for just the second time all season.

Match-Ups
Center
UW: Jon Brockman PSU: Jamie Jones
Although Jones is just as tall as Brockman, that is about the extent of their similarities, aside from a knack for scoring around the basket. Brockman is a big-bodied bruiser and All-American candidate, whereas Jones is a wiry finesse player who has difficulty rebounding. Unfortunately for the Vikings, they are matched up against each other. The one positive going for PSU is that Brockman is not the strongest defender. As long as Jones can score on his first opportunities, he should be able to put up 10 points. Even if Jones produces 10 points and 5 rebounds, that isn’t going to keep it close here. You can mark Brockman down for at least 20 and 10, maybe more if they go to him more often.
Advantage: Huskies

Power Forward
UW: Darnell Gant PSU: Kyle Coston
Although Gant is a very talented freshman, he does have a propensity to get into foul trouble. He also has limited range on his jump shot. Look for the Viks to try to exploit those weaknesses in any way possible. If Coston can draw him out to the perimeter, it will take away one of the strongest rebounders the Huskies have. Coston is the ideal size match-up here, so Mara may not see as much time as he’s used to. Even though Washington doesn’t depend on Gant to score, he has the ability to do so, and if Dentmon or Thomas have difficulty with their defenders he may get a chance to show the coaching staff what he can do. If Coston can step up and score 12-15 points, it should help keep this one fairly close.
Advantage: Push

Small Forward
UW: Quincy Pondexter PSU: Phil Nelson
Nelson has been dreadfully inconsistent. His average of 10.1 points per game comes from a combination of a 24 point game with 0 points the next week. He seems to be tentative when his shot isn’t dropping. However, in this game they need him to produce. His best games have come when he is shooting a lot and creating contact. If he can drive to the rim, and help draw fouls on the Huskies big men, it will help Jones. Going up against Nelson is inconsistent number two. Pondexter began the season by dropping a goose egg against the Pilots, then scoring 15 three days later. He has come on of late averaging 14 points in his last three contests. If he can score 12, it would really hurt PSU’s chances. The advantage as far as production goes is awarded to Nelson because of his importance keeping this one close. If he has less than 15, it’s unlikely that spread will be less than 20.
Advantage: Vikings

Shooting Guard
UW: Justin Dentmon PSU: Andre Murray
Although he’s not very tall, Justin Dentmon produces like a prototypical shooting guard. His production is up in almost every statistical category from last year, and appears ready to help his team back to the NCAA tournament. Murray has been great in all but two games when he didn’t score. However, he took a combined five shots in those two games, both of which were won by the Vikings. He will need to have one of his better games if he is going to keep up with the all-around production of Dentmon. Andre is plenty capable of doing just that, and I expect this to be one of the better one-on-one match-ups all season.
Advantage: Push

Point Guard
UW: Isaiah Thomas PSU: Jeremiah Dominguez/Dominic Waters
Jeremiah Dominguez is questionable going into the match-up on Sunday. If he can’t go, the Viks will go with Waters, who has been solid in most of his appearances. Unfortunately, that bad appearance was against the speedy guards of Cal State Fullerton. The Vikings will need him to keep up with the explosive true freshman if they want to keep him from scoring 20+. After dominating his high school competition, Isaiah Thomas (not that one) has averaged 13.5 points per game, saving three of his four biggest games for Kansas, Florida, and Oklahoma State. All of this changes if Dominguez plays. Whether or not he can be effective on the offensive end, I think he has to play. Without him on the court, the Vikings have had no flow to their offense, and have lacked the key piece to their defense. I think Waters will see starter minutes even if Dominguez does go, because they will need the points Dom can produce.
Advantage: Push

Bench
Originally, the group of reserves looked very solid for the Viks. Unfortunately, the losses of Guede and Visockis hit hard. Aside from Waters, none of the players can be counted on to produce on a consistent basis, and they are dreadful free throw shooters. The Huskies have a very solid bench composed of potential future stars like Matthew Bryan-Amaning and Elston Turner as well as solid contributor Venoy Overton. The Huskies may not need much from their bench, but if they do, they’ll be ready.
Advantage: Huskies

I think the outcome will ultimately be decided by whether or not Jeremiah Dominguez plays, and how well the Vikings can shoot the 3 ball. Shutting down Brockman isn’t a real possibility, so the Viks will need to focus on the things they can do — forcing bad shots by the guards, and taking advantage of the younger players. The Huskies don’t shoot the 3 ball well or often, so forcing them to do that could get them out of their comfort zone. Even if the Viks have a perfect game, it will be tough for them to beat UW on the home floor.
Prediction: UW 78-67

A year after a near miss in the Top of the World Classic, Portland State makes the trip up to Anchorage hoping to rewrite the story of their Alaskan adventure. The first round matches up the Vikings with Northern Illinois. The Huskies are a fairly inexperienced team, led by freshman Mike DiNunno and sophomore Darion Anderson. They are coached by the former head man at Colorado, Ricardo Patton. The Huskies have had a tough start to the season, winning only 2 games against a fairly weak schedule. However, the Viks will not want to take them lightly, as they have a number of guards with the potential to be explosive, as was the case with Fullerton. Thus far, the Huskies have preferred a smaller lineup, but may be forced into a more conventional one to match up with Nelson and Coston.

Match-Ups
Center
PSU: Jamie Jones NIU: Sean Kowal
The 6’11” Kowal, who migrated from Colorado with Patton, has the size and skill to become a very effective player in the MAC. Only a sophomore, Kowal is already averaging 10.5 points per game, and should be able to increase on that against the smaller Jones barring any foul trouble. The Viks can only hope that Jones can have anywhere near the effect he had on Sunday’s game when he scored 21 points including the winning basket in 26 very strong minutes. Though it has become difficult to put anything beyond Jones’ capabilities, this challenge may force him to find ways to be productive outside the points column. It would behoove the Huskies to be assertive with this mismatch, as their talented guards may not be as productive as they have thus far.
Advantage: Huskies

Power Forward
PSU: Kyle Coston NIU: Tyler Storm
Advantage: Highly-rated recruit Tyler Storm could get the start at the 4 for the Huskies. He and Coston should be good marks for each other, as they possess similar size and skill sets. Kyle will try to continue his progress after a solid game on Sunday during which he hit some meaningful shots down the stretch. The winner of this match up will depend on who can get it going from behind the arc in an unfamiliar arena. Coston should be more productive based on the number of minutes he usually merits.
Advantage: Vikings

Guard/Forward
PSU: Phil Nelson NIU: Najul Ervin
Ervin may also play the 4 as the leading rebounder for the Huskies, but winds up here based on size. He will contribute primarily from the inside, unlike Nelson, and may attempt to throw around his muscle with the leaner Viking defenders. Nelson’s defense looked significantly better than in the first two games, but will have to come a lot further if he wants to play more regular minutes. If he can’t handle Ervin inside, Wendell Wright should be able to handle the job, but offensive numbers will suffer if that happens. With the loss of Paul Guede, the Viks lack the versatility of a player who can produce on both ends of the floor, which made him key in crunch time against Portland. Based on his recent cold streak, look for Nelson to find some rhythm up in Alaska, and play a bigger role in the Viking offense.
Advantage: Vikings

Shooting Guard
PSU: Andre Murray NIU: Darion Anderson
Andre had a significant role in the Viks’ come-from-behind victory on Sunday. He hit some very big shots, and came up with a block on Akognon that may have saved the game. Whether or not he continues to play the go-to role on the outside in Alaska depends on the status of Jeremiah Dominguez. If the hand improves significantly, the offense may swing back to the comfort zone. However, if he struggles again, Ken Bone definitely has the confidence that Murray can do what the Vikings need to win. Anderson is a do-everything guard for the Huskies who is averaging 16 points and 5 rebounds per contest. If he can find his stroke from the outside, he has the potential to score 30. Assuming that Dominguez can produce, there is no reason to believe that Murray will duplicate his 16 points from Sunday.
Advantage: Huskies

Point Guard
PSU: Jeremiah Dominguez NIU: Mike DiNunno
True freshman Mike DiNunno has started his collegiate career gunning. He has averaged 21 points for a team that has needed production. A hard-nosed battle with Dominguez, Waters, or a combination of the two may dampen the enthusiasm. After a combined 3-15 effort, the Viking back court stars will look to regroup. The fact that the team was able to win with only 7 points from a duo that produced 42 against Rice speaks to the wealth of talent Ken Bone has right now in the Park Blocks. One would have to bet that Dominguez will get it back on track after the bad game, provided his hand injury begins to improve. The combination at the point for the Viks should be able to overcome the talented freshman for the Huskies.
Advantage: Vikings

Bench
The Huskies bring a very young bench to Wednesday’s game as well. Backup center Ante Dzepina has been solid for the Huskies thus far, and guards Bryan Hall and Jeremy Landers have logged heavy minutes. Again, the Vikings have an advantage due to the depth they have all around. The loss of Guede will hurt, but the continued progress of Wendell Wright should fill in nicely for the time-being. Tyrell Mara produced some very big numbers in Alaska last year, and the Vikings will hope that he can conjure up something similar this time around.
Advantage: Vikings

Prediction
The Huskies are a solid team, but at least a year away from competing for the MAC title. If they can keep it close against a Viking team with superior experience, Patton should be pleased. Viks roll in this one if they can limit the easy opportunities for Kowal on the inside. Either way, they should move on to face Hampton.
PSU: 76 NIU: 68

Cal State Fullerton comes into their weekend contest with the Vikings with an entirely different roster from the one that was able to win convincingly at home last year, returning two letter winners and just one starter. However, that starter is former Washington State Cougar Josh Akognon, who put up 41 points on Sunday against Hawaii. They expected a lot from 7-2 freshman Adam Thomas coming into the year, but through two games, it appears he’s not yet ready to produce. The Vikings should be coming into Sunday’s match-up sky high, but there are questions about whether Jeremiah Dominguez will be able to play after sustaining a finger injury during Tuesday night’s win over the University of Portland. If he’s out, the Vikings game plan changes drastically, and will have them searching for a source of scoring.

Match-Ups
Center
PSU: Jamie Jones CSF: Papa Guisse
Guisse, the transfer from Salt Lake Community College, is going to be relied upon to get some rebounds and block shots for the Titans, who are a very small team. That said, he is very limited offensively, and has produced very little through two games this season. Jones, on the other hand, has been very productive in his two games for the Viks. He is averaging 13.5 points and 8 rebounds per contest. He has provided an interior scoring touch that the Vikings have not had in a few years. It has created some room for Dominguez to work on the outside, and he has responded by shooting 60% from 3 point range. Jones is also a breath of fresh air from the free throw line, hitting 83% in his first two games. Look for the Viks to try to get the ball to Jones inside and attempt to draw some fouls. Though it is nowhere near as bad as last season, the Titans are still very thin on the inside.
Advantage: Vikings

Power Forward
PSU: Kyle Coston CSF: Gerard Anderson
Anderson, who redshirted last season, has been able to pick up some of the slack left by graduation. Through two games he is averaging 15.5 points and 6.5 rebounds. He definitely has the potential to become explosive, as he showed by scoring 20 points in a half against Texas State. Coston has done exactly what has been expected from him so far, stretching the defense from the 4, and chipping in a little bit in every facet of the game. His much improved defense have given him the upper hand in his battle for minutes with Mara. As much as Kyle has improved, I think Anderson will give him fits with his inside game.
Advantage: Titans

Guard/Forward
PSU: Phil Nelson CSF: Marcio Lassiter/Aaron Thompson
Depending on who the Titans decide to go with here, Nelson could have a huge height advantage. His production in this game may depend on how disciplined he is when he gets the ball in space. If he realizes that he can take advantage on the inside, he could be very productive. However, if he jacks up a bunch of 3 balls, or tries to use his speed to get by defenders on the dribble drive, he might find the road a little bit tougher. Lassiter is a shooter, but might have significant difficulty getting his shot off against the significantly larger Nelson. (Assuming Nelson decides to play defense at any point) The larger Thompson also has outside range, but can also provide the Titans with a useful wing man who can help out on the boards if Coston or Mara can draw Anderson out to the perimeter. If Dominguez is out, the Vikings will depend heavily on Nelson, along with Jones and Waters to pick up the slack on the offensive end. One positive note for Nelson is that this game should provide the type of pace that allows fast break opportunities in which he can better utilize his exploits.
Advantage: Vikings

Shooting Guard
PSU: Andre Murray/Dominic Waters CSF: Josh Akognon
Akognon is the one player on the Titans who could spoil an otherwise easy win. The guy can flat out fill it up. His all-around scoring ability (which includes a knack for getting to the foul line) is what makes him so dangerous. He will likely be matched-up against Andre Murray to start, but his size and speed may incite a quick change to Waters who seems more suited to this kind of pairing. Either way, the goal for the Viking defender will be to slow him down, because the Titans don’t have another really dangerous weapon outside of Anderson. Murray has started out slow this season, but based on his in-season improvement last year, one wouldn’t expect too much reaction from Ken Bone and his staff. Waters has done everything they have asked from him so far. If he can add slowing down Akognon to that list, some lineup tinkering may be occurring in the near future.
Advantage: Titans

Point Guard
PSU: Jeremiah Dominguez CSF: Jacques Streeter
If Akognon is the one player for the Titans, Dominguez is the one player for the Vikings. Although the talent of some of the role players is obvious, none of them seem to have that instinct to turn on the juice when the team needs them like Dominguez. His step back 3 point shot has destroyed the chances of the two opponents on the Viking schedule so far, and it will likely continue to do so the rest of the season. However, none of this is relevant if his finger injury keeps him out of the game. Streeter is a very talented freshman, and has the ability to score and pass that will make him a star in the Big West in the coming years. If he goes up against Waters, the numbers are more likely to stay close.
Advantage: Vikings

Bench
Here, the Vikings have a very large advantage. The only real bench for the Titans is made up by freshman and former Benson Tech star Ameer Shamsud-Din, and whichever of the Thompson/Lassiter combo doesn’t get the start at the 3. Though talented, they really can’t compete with the Viking contingent of Waters, Mara, Thomas, Guede and Wright.
Advantage: Vikings

Prediction
I don’t see the Titans jumping out to a 17 point lead like they did in last year’s contest. If the Vikings can exploit some of the mismatches they have, they could be in very good shape. That said, the result of this game is likely going to come down to Dominguez playing, and the effectiveness of the PSU defense on Akognon. If they can hold him under 30, it seems unlikely that the Titans will be able to keep pace with the Viks on the offensive end.
PSU: 82 CSF: 74

November 28, 2007 - The Vikings celebrate their first win at the Chiles Center 78-73 on their way to the NCAA tournament while the Pilots experience an awful 9-22 season. November 18, 2008 - Though not expected to do much this season, the Pilots come to the Stott Center a very legitimate threat off their home upset of the Washington Huskies. Though both teams would like to win, the game isn’t key to either’s season. Therefore, the Vikings need it more to build confidence on the home court.

Match-Ups
Center
PSU: Jamie Jones UP: Kramer Knutson/Luke Sikma
Knutson started 30 of 31 games for the Pilots last season, averaging 5 points and 4 rebounds. Saturday night’s 10 point 4 rebound performance indicates that those numbers might improve this year. Jones was very solid, going for a double-double (13 points, 13 boards) in the opener. If he can stay out of foul trouble, he should be able to excel in this match-up. However, if he has to play tough defense on a player like Sikma, his offensive production may suffer.
Advantage: Push

Power Forward
PSU: Kyle Coston UP: Robin Smeulders
Tyrell had a huge game at the Chiles Center last year, draining five 3 point baskets and pulling down 7 rebounds. Smeulders, the new Pilot star, was limited to 3 points and 4 rebounds in 22 minutes. This year’s match-up sees a slightly different set of circumstances, as Smeulders won’t have to contend with Morrison inside, and Coston replacing Mara in the starting lineup. The only way I see the Vikings duplicating last season’s success against Smeulders is if they can find a way to get him into foul trouble.
Advantage: Pilots

Small Forward
PSU: Phil Nelson UP: Ethan Niedermeyer
What should we expect from Phil Nelson after the Rice game? A marked improvement. Nelson shot the ball much better in the exhibition, and should get a lot more fast break opportunities in a game against a team that focuses less on defense and controlling the pace. He is matched-up against Ethan Niedermeyer, a player that has improved each year in every meaningful category. His skill may be close to on par, but he can’t compete with Nelson from an athleticism standpoint. If the Viks can get out and run a lot in this one, Nelson could really exploit this match-up.
Advantage: Vikings

Shooting Guard
PSU: Andre Murray/Dominic Waters UP: Nik Raivio
Raivio put together a very solid game against the Vikings last year, scoring 20 points on 8-15 shooting. Andre Murray and Dominic Waters will try to change that outcome on Tuesday. Based on their efforts against Rice, one might contend that is a possibility. However, the Viks will have to overcome the height advantage that Raivio will have at 6’4”. Another factor is Murray’s ability to stay in the game after logging only 9 minutes in Houston.
Advantage: Push

Point Guard
PSU: Jeremiah Dominguez UP: T.J. Campbell
Just when you think you’ve seen everything from Dominguez, he produces something amazing. It happened on Saturday when he carried the Vikings to victory. He slammed the door on Rice’s late comeback attempt with a step-back three ball with just over a minute to go. What can he do to surprise us now? We’ll just have to watch on Tuesday night. Campbell is an interesting match-up, because Dominguez usually goes up against players that are around 6 feet tall. At 5’9” Campbell possesses a similar skill set to that of Dominguez in that he is a strong outside shooter, a good passer, and gets a lot of steals. If he or Ito can produce anything against Dominguez, I’m sure the Pilots fans will be happy.
Advantage: Vikings

Bench
One big question mark is Luke Sikma, who completely dominated the Vikings on the inside last year with 12 points and 14 boards, but has gradually seen a role reduction since that point. If Sikma can find some way to rekindle that magic, it will go a long way towards keeping this one close, especially if Smeulders and Knutson have as much trouble as they did in last year’s contest. Jared Stohl and Taishi Ito may see some meaningful minutes for the Pilots if the Viking guards can overwhelm Pilot defenders like they did the Owls. Even with Sikma available for the Pilots, I have to side with the Vikings on this one. With players like Mara, Waters, and Thomas, who all possess extreme versatility, they can really allow any of the starters significant time away and not miss a beat.
Advantage: Vikings

Prediction
I’m hesitant about picking this one because the Pilots look like a much better team than the one who the Vikings beat last season. The Vikings three most important players from last year’s contest are also out of the starting lineup. (Mara, Huff, Morrison) However, if the Viks can shut down Smeulders or Raivio, it could also be a rout. I’m going to go with the Viks in a fast-paced battle that mimics last year’s cross-town clash.
PSU: 85 UP: 80

Portland State opens up the 2008-2009 basketball season at Rice. The Owls hired former Cal coach Ben Braun in the off season with the hopes he could turn around a team that went 3-27 last year and 0-16 in conference. Based on his amazing recruiting haul for next year (Be glad they’re not playing next year!), it appears they are headed back in the right direction. However, Braun isn’t expecting much improvement in the win-loss column this season with 4 upperclassmen returning. The one strength the Owls should bring to the floor is a defensive intensity that exceeds that brought on a nightly basis in the Big Sky.

The Vikings on the other hand, appear to have a lot to look forward to this year even with the losses of Deonte Huff and Scott Morrison with the return of Big Sky MVP Jeremiah Dominguez. The Vikings also return two other probable starters in shooting guard Andre Murray and forward Kyle Coston. The Vikings will also break in talented University of Washington transfer Phil Nelson, who scored a flashy 19 points in 23 minutes in the Viks’ exhibition against Western Oregon. Former WAC freshman of the year Dominic Waters should be the first guard off the bench, and University of Portland transfer Jamie Jones will likely start at center to begin the year. PSU’s biggest weakness may be free throw shooting, which has plagued them off and on in recent years. The loss of Morrison and fellow big man JR Moore may also hurt the Vikings on the inside given recruit Jason Conrad’s decision not to enroll at PSU.

Match-Ups
Center
PSU: Jamie Jones Rice: Trey Stanton
The transfer from the US Naval Academy should be an improvement for the Owls at center, although he may not be the big-bodied presence they need. He provides not only the shot-blocking and rebounding that one would expect from a center, but also a 3 point stroke that should stretch defenses all year. The Vikings might match him up with Coston on defense based on his similar body type. Whether or not Stanton is effective, the Owls will have a talented big man on the floor, because 6th man Suleiman Braimoh has the ability to score and rebound too. If Stanton can lock up Jones on defense, it will go a long way towards keeping this one close for the Owls. However, based on Jones’ history, I wouldn’t bet on that happening. In action at the University of Portland, Jones averaged 10 points and 7 boards, and Viking fans will be pleased to see that unlike past big men, he actually has moves around the basket. I’ll take Jones in this match-up with experience winning out, although I think Julius Thomas’ relentless effort will go a long way in helping wear down the Owls’ centers.
Advantage: Vikings

Power Forward
PSU: Kyle Coston Rice: Aleks Perka
Perka started the last three games for the Owls last season, so he gets the nod here. He was fairly effective when he saw extended time, but will need to exceed the 3.6 points and 2.1 boards per game he got last season if Rice is going to compete on a nightly basis. Coston really improved as the season went on last year, averaging 7.6 points in conference. The Vikings are hoping he can continue to develop into the starting role that he moved into last year. The departure of Alex Tiefenthaler should create more minutes for both Coston and Tyrell Mara. PSU needs their 3 point shooting forwards to stretch the defense so that slashers like Wendell Wright, Andre Murray, and Phil Nelson can get some room for their mid-range games. Rice has talented freshmen Emerson Herndon and Lucas Kuipers to come off the bench here, which should help keep the numbers close.
Advantage: Push

Small Forward
PSU: Phil Nelson Rice: Lawrence Gorham
Outside of point guard, this should be the most exciting match-up, and the one that produces the most points. Gorham, a junior had two 20 point games last year and averaged 8.5 points and 4 boards per game. If he can continue his progress, and help Foster on the scoreboard, it would greatly improve the Owls’ chances. Phil Nelson comes to PSU after starting 9 games as a freshman at the University of Washington, and it comes to no one’s surprise that there are very high expectations. With size, unlimited range, and highlight-reel dunking ability, Nelson is a player that could end up in the NBA in the not-so-distant future. The questions surrounding him are whether or not he can stay healthy, and if he can limit bad shots. If he can do these things, he may not be around long.
Advantage: Vikings

Shooting Guard
PSU: Andre Murray Rice: Cory Pflieger
Pflieger was third in Conference USA in 3 point shooting as a sophomore, averaging 6 points and 2 rebounds per contest. He sat out last season with a medical redshirt after going down with an ankle injury in the fifth game of the season. Rodney Foster may see some minutes at the two if one of the other point guards (Beasley, Frizzelle, Schwarze) proves effective. Murray brings luck to the Vikings, who won 18 out of his 22 starts after their dreadful start. He brings a strong all around game, with a good outside shot and a rebounding ability that exceeds his size. Though he probably won’t be looked on to score as much this season, Murray will be asked to bring his experience and intensity. Numbers wise, this should be close, even though Murray is the more talented of the two.
Advantage: Push

Point Guard
PSU: Jeremiah Dominguez Rice: Rodney Foster
The leading scorer and assist man for the Owls at 11 points and 3 assists per game, Foster shouldered the load for a team that simply wasn’t good. Ben Braun plans to take some of the load off of Foster by playing a larger rotation. The hope is that he won’t go down with a major injury like he did when he broke his hand in practice during the last week of the season last year. Foster will have a significant height advantage in this match-up, but the question is whether or not he can capitalize. Dominguez did a great job on larger opponents last year, utilizing his superior speed and hands to out-duel opponents. Whether or not he can duplicate last season’s numbers depend on the production of team mates. As you might recall, he usually played the role of tough defender and passer last season until it became evident the team would need his scoring output. Foster may outscore Dominguez, especially if Nelson and Jones can be effective on the offensive end, but the numbers should balance out by the time this one is over unless one of them gets into foul trouble.
Advantage: Push

Bench
Bryan Beasley, Texas’ former top-ranked point guard transferred to Rice after sitting out a year as a redshirt at Texas A&M. Last year, he transitioned into the lineup, starting 20 games, and averaging 3 points. Ben Braun has to hope that Beasley will continue to progress and take some pressure off of Foster. Other guys off the bench who might have an impact include Suleiman Braimoh, Emerson Herndon, and Lucas Kuipers. PSU should have a much better bench than they did last year. Although they lost Dupree Lucas and JR Moore, the Vikings gain Dominic Waters, a guy who can play at either guard spot; Donatas Visockis, a big man who will easily fill Moore’s role, and perhaps a great deal more; and Wendell Wright, a strong rebounding freshman wing. Those guys are added to the group that includes Tyrell Mara, Mickey Polis, and Julius Thomas. Even if they weren’t a more talented group, the Vikings clearly have experience and depth that the Owls don’t, and that should allow their starters to get the rest they need to be effective.
Advantage: Vikings

Prediction
Though the Owls play in a conference that has more talent than the Big Sky top-to-bottom, they held a minimal share of that talent, comprised mostly by Foster. If Rice is going to win some more games this year, and particularly this home opener, they will need everything he can give them and then some. The energy surrounding the reopening of Tudor Fieldhouse may keep this one close most of the way, but if the Vikings play up to their potential they’re just too talented for the current Rice squad.
PSU 74 Rice 62