OGDEN – 
The Big Sky Conference will release its All-Big Sky mens basketball selections tomorrow and if history has taught us anything, Weber State has a good chance at piling up the accolades.
Ever since the Big Sky cut it’s first-team selections down to only six players during the 2006-07 season, the Big Sky regular season winner has notched two first-teamers in every season.
Last season, the Wildcats (15-1 Big Sky, 21-10 Overall) saw senior guard Kellen McCoy and freshman guard Damian Lillard each get a first-team nod. The Wildcats posted no second-teamers, and senior forward Daviin Davis was named to the third-team.
OK, enough with the history lesson.
Lillard — the Big Sky scoring leader at 19.7 points per game — is a shoe-in for first-team this season and is the front-runner for the league MVP award. However, if WSU is to get a second first-teamer, that is debatable.
Four of the other first team selections are all locks (Montana senior Anthony Johnson, Portland State senior Dominic Waters, Northern Colorado senior Devon Beitzel and Northern Arizona junior Cameron Jones) but the sixth and final spot could go to any number of Big Sky players, with two WSU studs among them.
WSU senior center Steve Panos has displayed flashes of dominance all season long, but his lack of consistency in the paint may force him down to a second-team selection. Junior transfer Franklin Session has been a stat machine, ranking in the top 10 of five different categories. For further details on his stats make sure you check out Jasen Asay’s column in tomorrow’s Standard-Examiner.
Both have shots at first-team, but WSU coach Randy Rahe has a tendency to make pushes for his seniors in All-Big Sky ballots, so Panos is more likely to get the nod, if in-fact a WSU player gets that final spot.
However, there are strong cases for other players, such as UNC’s Will Figures and Idaho State’s Amorrow Morgan, so it will be interesting to see how it all plays out.
Outside of Lillard, Panos and Session, WSU could even see senior guard Nick Hansen steal a third-team nod, based of his hot shooting in the season’s final few weeks.
As far as awards go, once again, WSU is in line for another MVP in Lillard, who should mark the third Wildcat to win the award in the past four seasons, joining McCoy and 2006-07 winner David Patten.
Session and Idaho State junior Broderick Gilchrest both have legitimate cases for Newcomer of the Year, but based off the Bengals’ position in the standings, I can see this tipping in Session’s favor.
While there have been solid defensive efforts from several Wildcats this season, I don’t see anyone from WSU competing in the thick Defensive Player of the Year field. Northern Colorado’s Yahosh Bonner has been shut-down on some of the league’s best players this season (including Lillard) and has a great shot at winning. Portland State’s Jamie Jones and Montana’s Brian Qvale, who have been formidable defensive foes, also have outside shots at winning. No Wildcats though.
WSU hasn’t seen considerable playing time from it’s freshmen this season, and have virtually no shot at Freshman of the Year as well. Eastern Washington’s Glen Dean is the obvious choice there anyway.
For my full All-Big Sky Team and awards predictions, click the link below.
Posts Tagged ‘basketball’
Wildcats could pile up awards tomorrow
Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010 by Matthew Gerrish in Big Sky, Weber State, basketballPortland State @ Weber State
Wednesday, February 11th, 2009 by wiviking in Big Sky, Portland State, Weber State, basketball
Does anybody really need a reason to watch this game? It is the game of the year in the Big Sky Conference, and an absolute must-win for the Vikings if they have any aspiration for hosting the conference tournament. If you do, here are a few.
1) Daviin Davis matching up with Phil Nelson means the two most physically gifted players in the conference. You’re guaranteed at least one highlight reel dunk, if not from one of these two show stoppers, then from Andre Murray.
2) Kellen McCoy takes another shot at proving he deserves to be the Player of the Year in the Big Sky. However, he’ll have to prove that by out-dueling last year’s MVP, Portland State’s Jeremiah Dominguez.
3) This game is the likely preview of the conference title game. For those that think Montana has a shot at getting there, I advise taking into account that Wayne Tinkle is the coach. Unless they host, the Grizzlies aren’t going to the Big Dance.
4) The best two coaches in the Big Sky face off again. Randy Rahe and Ken Bone are still here for now, but are likely to be the head men at big-time programs within the next five years.
If you still don’t plan on watching this game, (it’s free on Big Sky TV) I really hope you’ve got a good party to go to.
Match-Ups
Center
WSU: Steve Panos PSU: Julius Thomas
Here’s a scary thought for Viking fans: the team goes into the toughest environment in the entire conference shorthanded, and two games behind. The shorthanded comment of course refers to the potential absence of Jamie Jones, who frankly appeared to have been physically diminished for about 2 months. Thomas has been better than Jones in recent days, so this isn’t the biggest loss (Jones only had 2 points and 1 rebound in the first game between the two). The problem is the lack of depth and physical presence to match up with Panos. Mara seeing significant time here would be no surprise, especially if Thomas gets into foul trouble. If Jones is healthy enough to go, he’ll probably see time, even though he doesn’t match up well with Panos. As far as advantages, one has physical tools while the other is more polished and bigger. Take your pick if you must.
Advantage: Push
Power Forward
WSU: Kyle Bullinger PSU: Kyle Coston
Kyle Bullinger had the game of his short career (22 points, 8 rebounds) the last time he matched up with the Vikings. It seemed like every shot he took in the second half went in, even from 28 feet away. Before he came to Portland, he scored 17 at home against Northern Colorado on 6 of 10 shooting. Guess what happened on February 5th? Try the exact same outcome. It’s a lucky thing the Wildcats play Eastern Washington first. Ultimately, I don’t think Bullinger is going to score 22 again, or pull down 8 rebounds. However, he should be plenty productive to overmatch Kyle Coston. The last time Kyle scored 11 in a game, he promptly came up empty in the next game. Like the Wildcats, the Vikings have a game before Saturday’s title fight. Nevertheless, there is no indication that Kyle is anywhere near returning to the form that had him in double-figures for 5 straight games earlier in the year. In fact, a very good argument could be made for Mara starting if Bullinger was not such a finesse player.
Advantage: Wildcats
Small Forward
WSU: Daviin Davis PSU: Phil Nelson
Yes, I know Hansen is the guy here on a normal night. However, if anybody wants to argue with Davis’ stats against PSU, they’re stupid. Davis is the most physically gifted bench player in the conference by far, and a Portland State killer. He is the one person that can shut down Phil Nelson on a night his shot is on. I acknowledge that Nelson is a better offensive player, but that is it. Davis has far more energy, rebounding ability, and defensive prowess. If Randy Rahe puts Hansen on the floor at any point, except to spell Davis, he should be fired on the spot.
Advantage: Wildcats
Shooting Guard
WSU: Damian Lillard PSU: Andre Murray
Andre Murray is a better shooter and defender than Lillard with more experience. Lillard’s one advantage is his ball-handling ability. He also displayed an uncanny knack for using the glass in the first match-up between the two teams in Portland. If Bullinger can’t produce the type of scoring effort he did in the first game, look for Lillard to be one of the guys the Wildcats depend on late in the game. I have to give the advantage to Murray here. The Viks will need him to score and defend given the lack of an inside presence. He can handle that assignment. Look for a big night from Andre in the must-win contest.
Advantage: Vikings
Point Guard
WSU: Kellen McCoy PSU: Jeremiah Dominguez
I’m going to take Dominguez. No doubt in my mind about that, even with McCoy as the front-runner for Big Sky MVP. Jeremiah completely outclassed McCoy when they played on January 8. For those of you that ask about the stats, look at the free throw numbers, then the number of fouls on JD and Waters. McCoy did his damage against Waters and at the end of the game when the Viks were forced to foul. Although McCoy is playing the way Dominguez was at this point last year, (25 points, 8 rebounds-he’s 5’6”, 5 assists at Northern Colorado) there’s no question who the “Real McCoy” is when we’re talking about the best point guard in the Big Sky. Dominguez is passing better now than he has at any other point since he arrived at PSU (11 assists to go along with 15 points against Northern Arizona).
Advantage: Vikings
Bench
Although Davis may come off the bench for the Wildcats, Hansen is going to fill the bench-type minutes, so I’ll factor him in here. Trevor Morris was effective in limited minutes, and has been pretty consistent with 4 or more points per game. This is about it for Weber. I understand the possible argument that Waters is like a starter for PSU as Davis is for Weber. However, this simply isn’t the case. He is the third guard on a team that plays two. This makes him the best bench player in the conference. Tyrell Mara has been solid for PSU in recent games, and they will need him to be solid inside if they have any chance in this one. I give PSU the advantage given the minutes breakdown, which considers Davis a starter.
Advantage: Push
So who gets the nod? I give it to Weber at home, because I feel that Nelson is essential to Viking success without an inside presence. He hasn’t proven that he can score against better defenders. The only PSU might win is if they can reverse the free throw trend and shoot about 10 more than Weber.
Prediction: PSU 70 WSU 71
PSU @ UM
Wednesday, January 28th, 2009 by wiviking in Big Sky, Montana, Portland State, basketballGiven the relative ease with which the Vikings dispatched the Grizzlies in December, I’d love to believe that their Thursday night game will be identical. Unfortunately, that isn’t likely to be the case. The Grizzlies are 9-1 at home, the only loss coming early in the season at the hands of Santa Clara. Sitting third in the Big Sky, the Griz are hoping a bad weekend in Montana for the Vikings will translate into their getting right back in the race for home court during the Big Sky Tournament. However, that may be a tough task given that their opponent has won its last three games by an average of 21 points.
Match-Ups
Center
UM: Brian Qvale PSU: Jamie Jones
Sophomore Brian Qvale hasn’t developed into much of an offensive presence yet for the Grizzlies. Given the relative lack of production from the Viking big men in recent games, one might not expect that to be a problem. However, in the earlier match-up Julius Thomas had a double-double to go along with starter Jamie Jones’ 7 points. If nothing changes between Qvale and his freshman backup Derek Selvig, don’t be surprised to see another large gap in production.
Advantage: Vikings
Power Forward
UM: Jordan Hasquet PSU: Kyle Coston
Doesn’t it seem like Hasquet has been playing forever? The 4-year starter has seen a drop in production with the emergence of guard Anthony Johnson, but continues to play an important role in the Grizzly offensive schemes. Although he didn’t have his best game in the December match-up with the Vikings, he still produced plenty to eclipse the offensive output of Coston and Mara. Wayne Tinkle & Company better hope for one of Hasquet’s better games if they’re going to keep it closer than the 27 point spread seen in December. Tyrell Mara has reemerged on the offensive end and may warrant some more playing time. He’s averaging 10 points over his last three contests including a 12 point, 5 rebound, 4 assist effort in Saturday night’s win over Eastern Washington.
Advantage: Grizzlies
Small Forward
UM: Jack McGillis PSU: Phil Nelson
The 10 points that Jack McGillis scored in the December game may be a bit misleading given that 8 of those points came at the free throw line. One can only imagine what the point spread would have looked like if the Griz weren’t hitting their free throws… I have to say I’ll never get tired of looking at that box score given the difficulty the Vikings have had against the Grizzlies on the football field. Phil Nelson has scored 20 or more points in two of three and looked really solid in the second half against Eastern Washington. When he’s playing like that the Vikings don’t need much other offense.
Advantage: Vikings
Shooting Guard
UM: Ryan Staudacher PSU: Andre Murray
Don’t expect Staudacher to be held scoreless this time around. The only other team to hold him scoreless this season was Duke. His 3 point stroke has been much better at home, so I’d expect 5-15 points. However, he produces very little in other categories. He matches up with a man who fills up the stat sheet and has the potential to score in bunches. A more interesting match-up will likely take place when one of the Taylors comes into the game.
Advantage: Vikings
Point Guard
UM: Anthony Johnson PSU: Jeremiah Dominguez
Johnson, whose wife Shaunte transferred with him from Yakima Valley CC to play at Montana, is exactly what the Grizzlies have needed. The veteran floor general has led the Griz into third place in the Big Sky with big offensive numbers and the sort of leadership they weren’t getting in the past two years. His height advantage over Dominguez should allow him to shoot whenever he wants. The question is if he can make up for his teammates’ lack of offense. It seems like a tired refrain to say Jeremiah Dominguez does what the team needs him to do. However, it bears repeating whenever he has a low-scoring night because people seem surprised when he doesn’t score 15 or more points. JD knows that he’s the one the team counts on to hit shots late if the game is close. Given that knowledge, he doesn’t feel obligated to take a majority of the shots early on unless he’s open. That’s why Jones and Nelson often get involved early. If the Viks need him to make shots down the stretch in this one, he’ll be there.
Advantage: Push
Bench
Recent returnee Ceylon Elgin-Taylor should provide the Griz a boost off the bench. Prior to Sunday’s game with Northern Colorado, he hadn’t played since December 6. The other major contributor off the bench is senior forward Kyle Sharp, who provides 5 points and 4 rebounds per game. As noted above, Tyrell Mara has been the bright spot off the bench recently for the Viks. Julius Thomas will be out to prove that his 14 point 10 rebound effort from the first game between the two wasn’t a fluke.
Advantage: Push
Overall, I think the Viks just have too much offense for the Griz to compete with– even without an inside scorer. Although they have been good at home, they seem to lack the intangible quality that allows a team to win the tough games. Without that, I don’t see them competing for the Big Sky title. That said, I think PSU will have to be ready for a dogfight. The Grizzlies aren’t demoralized yet, and will be ready to defend the home floor.
Prediction: PSU 71 UM 66
PSU @ UNC
Friday, January 16th, 2009 by wiviking in Big Sky, Northern Colorado, Portland State, basketballPortland State may wish it hadn’t had such a long break in between games. Although it has probably helped them adjust to their new classes, they may have lost any momentum created by the thrashing they gave Idaho State. This could be important heading into one of the biggest conference road games they’ll play all season, on Sunday at Northern Colorado. If the Viks can win, it will allow them to create some space between themselves and one of the other title contenders. However, if they lose, they will be even in the standings.
The Bears have been tough at home this season, especially as of late. With a chance to feature in the game of the week, that should really be the case. The Vikings would be wise not to take them lightly.
Match-Ups
Center
UNC: Jabril Banks PSU: Jamie Jones
Banks poses an interesting match-up for Jones. They seem like perfect marks for one another, but the level of competition may be determined by whether or not Jones is fully recovered from a right wrist injury which has hampered him in recent weeks. As has been mentioned often in recent weeks, the Vikings really need Jones to score inside to keep their offense from becoming one-dimensional. The other reason they will need Jones is to counterbalance Banks, who is one of the top big men in the Big Sky Conference. Banks is coming off a big double-double last night in which he scored 23 points and brought down 10 boards.
Advantage: Push
Power Forward
UNC: Mike Proctor PSU: Kyle Coston
Although Coston has had a tough run shooting in recent games, he was able to score 11 with the help of a 5 for 5 night at the free throw line against Idaho State. As long as he stays in the lineup, he should excel against the true freshman Proctor who hasn’t really produced much. Other options for the Bears include Kingman and Taylor Montgomery.
Advantage: Vikings
Small Forward
UNC: Neal Kingman PSU: Phil Nelson
Against Idaho State, Phil Nelson looked like he was ready to become the player we all hoped he could be coming into the season. He also looked like Rip Hamilton. I don’t know if it was the mask that helped him become fearless inside, but if so, he should keep it on. He combined one of his best offensive games with a solid effort against one of the top wings in the Big Sky. Neal Kingman is likely to get the unenviable task of guarding Nelson to begin the game. As is the trend these days for forwards, Kingman can step outside and knock down the 3 ball. He had a great game against Portland in which he went 5 of 6 from long range and scored 18 points. However, given the way talent is distributed among the Bears, don’t be surprised to see them go with a 3 guard lineup. If this is the case, Nelson will probably get another chance at proving his mettle at the 4, something he had trouble with late in the Weber State game.
Advantage: Vikings
Shooting Guard
UNC: Devon Beitzel PSU: Andre Murray
Beitzel can be an incredibly dangerous player at times, (as referenced by dropping 32 points on NAU) and nonexistent at others (Just 2 points against EWU). However, with 3 talented guards, UNC has had no problem picking up for him whether with Figures or John Pena. Even if he’s feeling good, Beitzel will have to modify his game to deal with Andre Murray’s ability to block shots. It’s not often that guards have to deal with that sort of hindrance, but ignoring it won’t make it go away. Just ask Josh Akognon. If Ken Bone and the other Viking coaches looked at the stats, they might tell the team to get Murray the ball a lot more. He is shooting at over 49% and has improved his outside shot considerably in the past season. The only possible down side to this strategy would be the lost rebounding ability from the 2 spot. Given his success, I think he needs to take more shots regardless of what may happen.
Advantage: Push
Point Guard
UNC: Will Figures PSU: Jeremiah Dominguez
Figures is a very solid point guard who should match-up very well with Dominguez. He has scored at least 20 points in 4 of his last 5, so he won’t be taken lightly. Given his production, (12.4 ppg, 2.5 apg) he has to be considered a possibility for all-conference. However, his biggest asset may be his quickness which makes this Sunday a bit of a question mark. Jeremiah Dominguez’ quickness may be rivaled only by Kellen McCoy. However, Dominguez was able to shut down McCoy on the offensive end (limited to just one field goal). If the Vikings need him to score, Dominguez has been able to do that too, as in the Portland game when he put the entire team on his back and carried them to victory. There is no reason to doubt that Dominguez will continue to be just what the Vikings need because that is what he has done since the first time he suited up.
Advantage: Vikings
Bench
John Pena is a really solid player, but he isn’t quite on par with Dominic Waters. That said, UNC definitely has superior depth which would have given them the advantage prior to the loss of Jefferson Mason, who the Bears relied on for balance. Other contributors off the bench include Chris Kaba and Taylor Montgomery. Given the current makeups of the teams’ benches, I think production should be fairly even.
Advantage: Push
Given the importance and venue as well as each team’s offensive schemes I expect a close, exciting game. Ultimately, PSU should win. However, they will need to establish some sort of inside game with Jones and/or Thomas as well as a solid effort from Phil Nelson.
Prediction: PSU 76 UNC 73
Idaho State @ Portland State
Tuesday, January 6th, 2009 by wiviking in Big Sky, Idaho State, Portland State, basketball
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
WSU @ PSU
Monday, January 5th, 2009 by wiviking in Big Sky, Portland State, Weber State, basketball
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
PSU VS Cal Poly 12/17
Monday, December 15th, 2008 by wiviking in Portland State, basketball
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
PSU VS UW 12/14
Wednesday, December 10th, 2008 by wiviking in Portland State, basketballOn 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
Great Alaska Shootout: Round 1 (Portland State VS Northern Illinois)
Monday, November 24th, 2008 by wiviking in Portland State, basketball
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
PSU VS Cal State Fullerton
Wednesday, November 19th, 2008 by wiviking in Portland State, basketball
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
