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Posts Tagged ‘Portland State Vikings’

East Region: #13 PSU vs #4 Xavier

Tuesday, March 17th, 2009 by wiviking in Big Sky, Portland State, basketball

East Regional
#13 Portland State Vikings vs #4 Xavier Musketeers

On Friday afternoon in Boise, the 13th seeded Portland State Vikings take on the 4th seeded Xavier Musketeers at the Taco Bell Arena. Neither has been expected to advance past the second round. A win for Xavier could mean a chance at the Sweet 16 if the Wisconsin Badgers can find some way to upset the Florida State Seminoles. Portland State has a better shot at advancing further if FSU moves on given that they play much better in a fast-paced game. However, as neither of these outcomes is likely, the teams will focus on the task at hand, each other. Who are these teams, and what might we expect from them come Friday?

Let’s begin with Portland State. After receiving a righteous beat-down from eventual national champion Kansas in the first round last season, the Vikings struggled to replace seniors Scott Morrison and Deonte Huff. The 10-3 start included a loss to Big West cellar-dwellers Cal Poly and close wins against Division III Lewis & Clark College and transitioning Division I Seattle University. That said, the one point loss at Washington and victory on Gonzaga helped offset the negative energy flowing from the previously mentioned near-disasters. Since then, the Vikings also had their issues with the Big Sky schedule. Although there are deceiving point spreads like the 14 point home loss to Weber State that was competitive until the last two minutes, the 5 losses seem to describe the inconsistency that plagued the team all season. It seems, however, that they have righted the ship at the critical point, winning the six heading into the tournament.

Xavier hasn’t been playing its best basketball for a while now. The Musketeers went 20-2 to start the season, but have only played .500 basketball since. Sorry Xavier fans. I’m not buying the argument that beating Dayton by 17 required the same kind of sustained effort that it took to beat Memphis by 5. Granted, that wasn’t the same Tiger team that thrashed everyone in Conference USA. What I am buying with this team is that all their losses aside from an ugly one to Charlotte came at the hands of solid opponents. If they can find a way to pressure the Vikings’ outside shooters, they should be able to take care of business and move on. Whether or not they can do that is the question many analysts are asking themselves at this point.

Match-Ups
Center
XU: Jason Love PSU: Jamie Jones
Love hasn’t been the focal point of the Xavier offensive scheme at many points this season. However, this may be the time coach Sean Miller needs to get the big man involved. He is matched up with a fragile, finesse player in Jones to begin the game and should be able to use his bulk to get to the hole. Kenny Frease could also do some damage if given the opportunity against Jones. However, don’t be surprised to see the Ken Bone go with Julius Thomas or a 1-3-1 zone if the Musketeers rattle off a bunch of points in the paint early on. Another defensive option for the Vikings here is Tyrell Mara. Although Thomas is still likely to be in the game, it adds a little bit more size and strength to match up with Love and/or Frease. If Miller really forces the issue, the Xavier centers may out-produce those of Portland State on the offensive end. However, I think we’re more likely to see the biggest discrepancies in the rebounding numbers, because the Vikings are one of the worst defensive rebounding teams you’ll ever see.
Advantage: Musketeers

Power Forward
XU: Derrick Brown PSU: Kyle Coston
Brown has been touted as a future NBA player by Xavier fans and should get the opportunity to prove his mettle here as long as the Vikings play man defense. Coston is intense, but not the best on-ball defender. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Brown have a huge night if the Vikings stick with man the entire game. We’re talking 25 points and 10 rebounds. Coston and Mara should be able to contribute about 10 points and 5 rebounds, but unfortunately that’s together, not apiece. If it isn’t obvious from those numbers, Brown has a huge advantage, and should enjoy the national spotlight.
Advantage: Musketeers

Small Forward
XU: B.J. Raymond PSU: Phil Nelson
Raymond’s numbers have really improved markedly every season. In his senior year, he has averaged 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game, which are all at least 25 percent increases from last years numbers. The dependable senior matches up with Phil Nelson, an enigmatic talent. The future star has been the best player on the floor at times, and the worst at others. His defense has improved significantly since the beginning of the season, but he continually seems to struggle against players who put forth their best effort on both ends of the floor. If he plays up to his potential, this match-up should be the most exciting on the court. If not, at least we’ll have fun watching Raymond do some damage. We’re likely to see some highlight-reel dunks from Nelson given the audience, even if he doesn’t hit a high percentage from outside. I think both players will play up to the environment, and we’ll see something special.
Advantage: Push

Shooting Guard
XU: C.J. Anderson PSU: Andre Murray
This match-up should also be a lot of fun to watch. Although Murray is significantly smaller in stature, he tends to play like a forward when necessary. I’m inclined to think it may be necessary in this one. For those of you who aren’t familiar with “Draeno,” he came in from the College of the Canyons and immediately shook things up. He took advantage of Dupree Lucas’ struggles last year and pushed his way into the starting lineup with a huge performance at Southern Utah. This season, he has taken over Deonte Huff’s role of rebounding better than his size, playing tough on-ball defense, and making big shots when needed. Anderson could provide a test for Andre as he has the sort of height that could make him dangerous. However, I think we’re more likely to see Murray on Raymond and Nelson on Anderson given the sizes and skill sets of the respective players. Regardless of what we see on Friday, these players aren’t likely to get the most hype. Neither player has the types of skills that make him an obvious pick over the other.
Advantage: Push

Point Guard
XU: Dante Jackson PSU: Jeremiah Dominguez
As many analysts have noted, Xavier does not have a true point guard. Will that hurt them? It’s hard to tell. Dominguez is very skilled, and has the ability to go off for 20 or 30 points on any given night. He is also a great passer, and has very quick hands, which could give Jackson fits. If you haven’t seen him play, you’ll be amazed by how quick he releases the ball on his jump shots. Jackson’s obvious advantage over Dominguez is his size. If he can post up, he may be able to exploit Jeremiah’s 5’6” frame. If this appears to be the game plan early, don’t be surprised to see the Vikings quickly transition to the 1-3-1 zone with one of their long-armed forwards (Coston or Nelson) at the top of the key. If Dominguez can’t handle the physicality, Dominic Waters will play the point. Ultimately, the quickness and scoring knack Dominguez has should be the one advantage the Vikings have over the X-men.
Advantage: Vikings

Bench
Xavier has a huge advantage here. Unlike the Big Sky Conference schedule, the Vikings will have to deal with significant depth that they just can’t counter. Jamel McLean, Kenny Frease, Brad Redford, Terrell Holloway all contribute to the offensive effort with more than 4 points per game. For all the Xavier fans out there, that should come as no surprise, but it’s a new experience for Viking fans who haven’t seen a team as deep as the Musketeers since they faced off with Baylor at the end of 2008. The main threat off the bench for the Vikings is Dominic Waters. Other contributors for the Vikings include backup center Julius Thomas and power forward Tyrell Mara. True freshman Wendell Wright has played in a number of games this season, but isn’t likely to see the floor in this one unless there is serious foul trouble or a large deficit one way or the other.
Advantage: Musketeers

This is a hard game to call. If PSU plays well, it’ll be close, regardless of how Xavier plays. If PSU plays like they did in the Big Sky Tournament, they’ll lose by 20. I’ll go with an optimistic prediction this time around. PSU has a shot at winning this game, but only if they shoot the ball like they did at home in the Bracket Buster game against Boise State and minimize the Musketeers’ offensive rebounding opportunities.

Prediction: PSU 74 XU 72

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Posted in Big Sky, Portland State, basketball | No Comments »

Big Sky Chamionship: MSU vs PSU

Tuesday, March 10th, 2009 by wiviking in Big Sky, Montana State, Portland State, basketball



After a shocking semifinal upset of heavy tournament favorites Weber State, the only thing holding the Portland State Vikings back from a return to the NCAA tournament are the number 6 seed Montana State Bobcats. Then again, the Bobcats just did what the Vikings couldn’t for the second time this season– beat Weber State. The Bobcats have a fairly young lineup aside from Mbunga and could easily challenge at next season’s Big Sky regular season crown if they can find an inside scoring presence.
Match-Ups
Center
MSU: Divaldo Mbunga PSU: Jamie Jones
As one of the top players in the conference, Mbunga has been heavily lauded. Aside from the game against Portland State in Bozeman, he seems to be a road dog. Again, aside from the game against Portland State, he has been great away from Bozeman. Something’s gotta give. Away from Bozeman and against Portland State seems like a wash. However, the Bobcats are going to need everything Divo has if they’re going to get to the dance with their less than spectacular squad. Look for him to get into double figures in points and rebounds, as well as block a couple shots in this one. He goes up against Portland State’s finesse “big man” Jamie Jones. At 6’7”, Jones doesn’t really offer the type of size a coach wants in a center. He does, however, have the type of inside offensive game that helps spread out a defense, which is exactly what the Vikings to play their game. Jones is averaging only 6 points and 3 rebounds against the Bobcats’ big man. Expect more than that, but not enough to counteract Mbunga.
Advantage: Bobcats

Power Forward
MSU: Branden Johnson PSU: Kyle Coston
Johnson did nothing against Portland State in Bozeman, going scoreless in 12 minutes. However, he scored 9 points in Portland and appears ready to do more after a 16 point performance in the semifinal game against Weber State. That said, Kyle Coston, not the most productive offensive player in the world, has outplayed Johnson in both match-ups. Can Coston do it again? That may be difficult given that he is shooting just 33% at Dee Events Center, and went 0 for 4 against Idaho State. As has been pointed out many times this season, all the team needs from the 4 is a couple three balls and some defensive energy. There’s no doubt that’s gonna happen.
Advantage: Push

Small Forward
MSU: Erik Rush PSU: Phil Nelson
Rush presents an interesting match-up for the Vikings who play a traditional lineup. Last season, a guard/forward would have been no issue as the Viks had Deonte Huff and Dupree Lucas to fit that role. With a new year comes new talent. Phil Nelson has been every bit as spectacular as advertised coming in. Though not an offensive dynamo on a nightly basis, he provides prototypical small forward size that gives most Big Sky teams fits. Back to the match-up. Nelson played a solid first half against Idaho State’s Amorrow Morgan in the semis, but gave it up late. If he can keep up with Rush, this match-up should be no different. There’s no doubt that Nelson is the more physically talented player. The question is motivation. If Rush can get around screens quickly, that should neutralize Nelson, who tends to get rid of the ball quickly. If not, expect a big night from Phil.
Advantage: Vikings

Shooting Guard
MSU: Will Bynum PSU: Andre Murray
Will Bynum can be a very dangerous player for the Bobcats. In two games against Portland State, the junior has averaged 20 points and 4 rebounds. He also added an amazing 7 steals in Bozeman. If that happens again, don’t be surprised to see the Bobcats cutting down the nets. He matches up with Andre Murray, a player who averaged just 9 points in two games against Montana State. Why would any person in their right mind think this might turn out differently this time around? “Draeno” scored 21 points and carried the Vikings to victory in a game they seemed destined to lose from the time the second half started. The senior has also scored in double figures 19 times this season, including a 24 point effort on the road. Expect this to be the best match-up on the court, regardless of how much offense results.
Advantage: Push

Point Guard
MSU: Marquis Navarre PSU: Jeremiah Dominguez
Navarre has played okay against the Vikings considering he is being compared with two of the Big Sky’s best point guards in Dominic Waters and Jeremiah Dominguez. If he can produce another 10 points, like he did in Bozeman, the Bobcats may have a shot going down the stretch. However, that all depends on what they can get out of Bynum and Mbunga. Jeremiah Dominguez has finally reached the end of the road in the Big Sky Conference. After picking up the conference’s Most Valuable Player award last season, Dominguez persevered through injury to take a place on the first team all-conference squad this time around. Regardless of Wednesday night’s outcome, JD will always have a place in Viking fans’ hearts, as he was the one to finally get them to the NCAA tournament, and knock off a top-10 opponent.
Advantage: Vikings

Bench
Dom Waters has been great at times this season (41 points at Northern Arizona), and fairly putrid at others (0 at Cal Poly). Although the reason for this inconsistency is unknown, Waters seems to find his confidence every time he steps out on to the court, something the Vikings will need next year with Dominguez’ departure. Along with Julius Thomas and Tyrell Mara, he makes up one of the better benches in the conference. They match up with Bobby Howard and Austin Brown, two solid rebounders with an ability to score the basketball if need be. I wouldn’t bet on much coming from the benches scoring wise in this one given the magnitude of the game. In all likelihood, this is the last time either team will have a chance at winning this season.
Advantage: Vikings

Ultimately, I can’t go against the Vikings if they aren’t playing Weber State. No team has looked better than the Vikings since they lost on the road at Baylor, something they’ll have to deal with if they play any more games this season. As long as Jamie Jones and Julius Thomas can produce a couple points inside, there should be plenty of room for the Viking marksmen to gun away. Don’t expect it to be pretty, but Bone’s boys should get it done. Nobody wants to see a team with only 14 wins in the Big Dance.
Prediction: PSU 71 MSU 66

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Posted in Big Sky, Montana State, Portland State, basketball | 2 Comments »

Portland 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

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Posted in Big Sky, Portland State, Weber State, basketball | 2 Comments »

PSU @ UM

Wednesday, January 28th, 2009 by wiviking in Big Sky, Montana, Portland State, basketball

Given 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

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Posted in Big Sky, Montana, Portland State, basketball | No Comments »

EWU @ PSU

Wednesday, January 21st, 2009 by wiviking in Big Sky, Eastern Washington, Portland State, basketball


Prior to Sunday afternoon’s game in Greeley, I would have been hard pressed to think of a PSU game I had witnessed that I would think of as boring. No longer. The defensive struggle with Northern Colorado was enough to make me pound another Mac’s thankful that the awful display of basketball had come to an end. The one bright spot for the Vikings was another solid game from Andre Murray. That is, if you believe that the bad shooting was just that and not great Viking defense. All that said, the Vikings came back to Portland with a 14 point victory. While it doesn’t instill confidence in the fans, it gets the job done from the standpoint of the coaching staff.

Eastern Washington has been hard to predict this season. They began 6-2, including a win at the Chiles Center. However, a 23 point loss at Northern Arizona seems to have brought them back down to earth. A Wednesday night home match-up with the Griz gives them an opportunity to get back on the good side of .500 before they walk in to the Stott Center as heavy underdogs on Saturday night.

Match-Ups
Center
EWU: Brandon Moore PSU: Jamie Jones
Moore has served the role for the Eagles that the Vikings wish Donatas Visockis had for them. He has provided them with interior offense and strong rebounding, which have been very important to a team trying to hang on for contention in the Big Sky. His size and strength give the Eagles a decided advantage inside. Jamie Jones has become less effective as the season has gone on, averaging under 8 points per game during Big Sky play. If the Vikings expect to have any chance at winning a post season game, they’re going to need him to reverse his downward spiral. Given the paucity of shots he takes each game, it’s going to be tough.
Advantage: Eagles

Power Forward
EWU: Mark Dunn PSU: Kyle Coston
A little cautious in his return from a bout with the Stott Center floor, Coston was ineffective at UNC. If he can find his stroke before Saturday’s game, it would pay big dividends for the rebounding efforts of the Vikings. Coston’s defender is big-bodied Mark Dunn, primarily a danger when he’s close to the basket. However, if Coston can’t find his stroke, don’t be surprised if EWU dominates this position from a statistical standpoint.
Advantage: Eagles

Small Forward
EWU: Andy Genao PSU: Phil Nelson
Andy Genao’s cousin is Major League shortstop Julio Lugo. That’s about the only interesting information about Genao aside from his size (6’3” 205). He’s a strong rebounder for his size. Think Andre Murray. Genao will try one of the true small forwards in the Big Sky on Saturday. Phil’s problem all season has been a lack of consistency. However, his ability to keep his confidence after a tough run has allowed him to recover after a bad stretch. If Nelson is assertive in this game, he should have no trouble scoring 20+ points in his return to the Stott Center.
Advantage: Vikings

Shooting Guard
EWU: Milan Stanojevic PSU: Andre Murray
Stanojevic, the senior gunner from Serbia, has the potential to put up big numbers in this contest. Then again, he’s matching up with Andre Murray who has been sensational on the defensive end in the last two games. He complimented that defensive performance with 15 much-needed points in Sunday’s win at Northern Colorado. Viking success in the near future (trip to Montana next week) may depend on him continuing his recent play.
Advantage: Vikings

Point Guard
EWU: Benny Valentine PSU: Jeremiah Dominguez
Saturday night should be another fun one for Viking fans as another of the top point guards in the Big Sky Conference stops by the Stott Center. Although neither one dominated, it’s fair to say Dominguez out-dueled Kellen McCoy. Fans were robbed of the next match-up when Matt Stucki ended up playing point forward. However, given the size discrepancy, it made some sense. This time, fans should get a good show. Two diminutive point guards blessed with unmatched quickness and knack to score will take the floor (as long as Dominguez doesn’t break any more rules). Texas Tech transfer Benny Valentine has been the Eagles’ most consistent performer this year, scoring in double figures in all but two games. He has already dropped 30 points twice in Big Sky play, making him one of, if not the frontrunner for Big Sky Player of the Year. One of the few players worthy of disputing that claim is the incumbent, Jeremiah Dominguez. Although JD’s production has dipped of late, he has proven time and again that he can pick it up if the team needs him. Based on the respective teams’ records and point guard production, I expect Valentine to out-produce Dominguez in a Viking victory.
Advantage: Eagles

Bench
Coming off the bench, the Eagles have Adris “2 Hard 2 Guard” DeLeon, a player who has the potential to be just as dangerous as Dominic Waters (42 points against UNC last season). Other Eagle contributors off the bench include Chris Busch and Trey Gross. The Viking bench is a known commodity with the potential for Dominic Waters to go off on any given night. However, the Viks got a nice effort out of Tyrell Mara on Sunday.
Advantage: Push

Don’t expect things to turn around overnight for the Eagles. Though they have some nice pieces like Valentine, Moore, Stanojevic and DeLeon, they are all veterans. If some of the younger guys can start producing Eagle fans will have a lot more to look forward to than they do right now. Saturday night shouldn’t be too tough for the Viks if they aren’t looking ahead to the Montana trip.
Prediction: PSU 73 EWU 62

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Posted in Big Sky, Eastern Washington, Portland State, basketball | No Comments »

PSU @ UNC

Friday, January 16th, 2009 by wiviking in Big Sky, Northern Colorado, Portland State, basketball

Portland 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

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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

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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

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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

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PSU VS UW 12/14

Wednesday, December 10th, 2008 by wiviking in Portland State, basketball

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

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