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PORTLAND STATE VIKINGS (13-8, 3-5) vs. IDAHO VANDALS (14-7, 6-3)
Thursday, February 1, 2018, 8 p.m. • Lewis and Clark College (1,300), Portland, OR
Live Video and Audio: www.WatchBigSky.com, www.Pluto.tv • Play-by-Play: Tom Hewitt
Live Stats: www.ViksLive.com
Complete notes and stats in pdf

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THE OPENING TIP
Portland State hits the midpoint of the Big Sky Conference basketball schedule this Thursday when it hosts the University of Idaho in an 8 p.m. game at Lewis and Clark College's Pamplin Sports Center.
           
The Vikings (13-8, 3-5) will be seeking a turn in their fortunes since Big Sky play began. There have been highlights, but PSU's offensive production has slipped. Combined with five road games in the first seven Big Sky contests, the Vikings have gotten off to a slow start in league play. And, following a 71-61 loss to Sacramento State on Saturday, PSU has now lost two straight at home. 
           
Those trends will need to end when the Vandals (14-7, 6-3) come calling. Idaho has proven to be the top defensive team in the league, holding opponents to 66.7 points per game - which should provide a big challenge for Portland State's sluggish offense. Idaho also features the league's top rebounding team (+6.5 margin), second-best three-point shooters (.411) and one of its top players (Victor Sanders, 20.0 ppg).
           
The Vikings, who have lost two straight and three of their last four can look back at a positive, though. PSU pulled out a 73-72 win at Idaho on Jan. 6 on a putback basket by FR G Holland Woods in the final second. 
           
Now 3-5 in league play, the Vikings remain in eighth place among 12 teams. They will battle to rise in the standings over the next 10 games for the best possible seeding in the Big Sky Conference Tournament in Reno, Mar. 6-10. A fourth-place finish or better is rewarded with a first-round bye. Idaho is currently tied for 3rd/4th with Eastern Washington at 6-3, which makes Thursday's game particularly valuable for the Vikings. In addition, PSU will host Eastern Washington on Saturday in a 1 p.m. So this week's game provide a great opportunity for the Vikings to gain some ground.
           
Portland State is 5-2 at home this season. Idaho brings in a 6-3 road record, including 4-1 in conference games.              
 
Saturday's game includes a live video stream at www.WatchBigSky.com and www.Pluto.tv. Live stats are available at www.ViksLive.com.
 
COMING UP
Portland State will host Eastern Washington on Saturday to wrap up a three-game homestand. The Vikings play at Montana (Feb. 8) and Montana State (Feb. 10) next week. 
 
All Viking home games take place at Lewis and Clark College this season as construction on the new Viking Pavilion is being completed. Thursday games tip at 8 p.m. with Saturday games at 1 p.m.
 
GAME NOTES: PORTLAND STATE vs. IDAHO
• ALL-TIME SERIES: Idaho leads the all-time series, 15-13, and the Big Sky Conference series, 4-2, over the Vikings... the teams have split two Big Sky Conference games played in Portland... PSU leads 9-4 all-time in games played in Portland.
• Jan. 6 at Cowan Spectrum, PSU 73, Idaho 72: FR G Holland Woods hit a put-back, game-winner from the middle of the key with 0.6 seconds remaining to turn a 72-71 deficit into a 73-72 win for the Vikings. Portland State trailed by five with just over a minute to go, but got catch-up baskets from SR Fs Brandon Hollins and Traylin Farris, setting up Woods' winner off a JR G Deante Strickland miss... neither team led by more than five points in the game... SR G Deontae North had his second 30-point performance of the season, making 11-15 field goals and 6-8 three-pointers... Victor Sanders scored 28 for Idaho (10-18 FG, 3-5 3-pt, 5-6 FT).  
• COACHES: Vikings Coach Barret Peery is in his first season on the Park Blocks. His only other head coaching experience is at the junior college level where he was 178-30 in six seasons (2005-08, College of Southern Idaho;  2011-14, Indian Hills (IA) CC)... the Vandals are led by Don Verlin, who is in his 10th season. He has a career record of 164-147. Verlin is 6-2 all-time against Portland State.
 
IDAHO VANDALS
• Idaho returned to the Big Sky Conference in 2014-15 after being an original member in 1963. Idaho left the Big Sky after the 1995-96 season. 
• In its history, the Vandals have won four Big Sky regular season titles and four Big Sky tournament titles. The most recent came in 1993. Idaho has made five NCAA Tournament appearances all-time.
• The Vandals were 18-13 last season, 12-6 and tied for third in the Big Sky. They return five starters and eight letterwinners. Idaho was selected to win the Big Sky in both the Big Sky Conference preseason coaches and media polls.
• Idaho is currently 14-7 on the season, 6-3 in Big Sky Conference play.
• The Vandals lead the Big Sky in scoring defense (66.7), field goal percentage defense (.407), three-point field goal percentage defense (.314) and rebounding margin (+6.5).
• Senior guard Victor Sanders, a first team All-Big Sky Conference choice last season, leads the team in scoring (20.0) and has made 57 three-point field goals this season, shooting at a .416 clip. Sanders ranks third in the Big Sky in scoring.
• Senior forward Brayon Blake averages 15.0 points and a Big Sky-leading 9.4 rebounds per game.
• Senior guard Perrion Callandret averages 9.5 points and a team-leading 3.2 assists per game. 
• Idaho has had the luxury of starting the same five players in all 21 games this season. They all average between 28-30 minutes per game.
 
SUSTAINABLE AND RECYCLABLE VIKING QUICK NOTES
WINNING LINES 
• Portland State is 13-8 this season, 5-2 at home, 7-4 on the road, 1-2 at neutral sites.
• The Vikings have lost two in a row, and three of their last four games. They have also lost two straight at home. 
• PSU has not lost three in a row at any time this season.
Home Court(s)
• With the addition of Lewis and Clark's Pamplin Sports Center as a home court in 2017-18, Portland State has now had four home courts in its 22-season existence in the Big Sky Conference and at Division I. Here is the breakdown: 
  - Peter W. Stott Center - 233 games, 168-65
  - Rose Garden (Moda Center) - 28 games, 19-9
  - Memorial Coliseum - 19 games, 13-6
  - Lewis and Clark - 6 games, 4-2
  - 22 seasons - 286 games, 204-82 at home overall 
• Since the start of the 2006-07 season, PSU is 117-43 at home, including 68-35 in Big Sky Conference regular season and tournament games.
• Portland State has lost only eight non-conference home games in the last 11 seasons (49-8). PSU is 26-8 against Division I schools, and 23-0 against lower division schools over that span.
Big Sky Battles
• Portland State is 178-193 all-time in all Big Sky Conference games, including the Big Sky Tournament (11-12). 
• PSU is 117-60 in home games, 56-125 in road games and 5-9 in neutral-site games.
 
WHO IS HOT
• The Viking defense: PSU makes 11.2 steals per game and has a +7.7 turnover margin, both of which lead the nation... PSU forces 20.5 turnovers per game, which ranks second in the nation.
• Over the last three games, SR C Ryan Edwards has averaged 12.7 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.0 blocked shots. He matched his season-high with 19 points (7-14 FG, 5-6 FT) and set a season-high with 10 rebounds while blocking three shots at Idaho State. Edwards posted his second double-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks at Weber State.
 
WHO IS NOT
• In Portland State's five Big Sky losses, it has been easy to point at shooting as the downfall. PSU has shot .388 from the field and .225 from three-point range in five Big Sky losses. PSU has shot .495 from the field in three Big Sky wins.
• Portland State averages 23.4 fouls per game, ranking 351st in the nation (among 351).
 
OFFENSIVE SLOWDOWN: Portland State's highly-productive offense during non-conference, which led to a 10-3 record, has had its struggles in Big Sky Conference play, leading to a 3-5 record. The Vikings had their lowest scoring game (61) and poorest shooting game (.344) of the season against Sacramento State. Some defensive numbers have dropped as well. Here is the comparison:
 
             Non-Conf.    Big Sky
PPG               93.5    78.9
FG%              .462    .426
3-pt FG%       .390    .281
FT%               .684    .720
TOs forced     23.0    16.5
Steals             12.9    8.4
 
THE COMEBACK: Portland State's come-from-behind victory at Idaho State (1/18) marked the sixth time this season that Portland State has erased a second-half deficit (three by double digits) and pulled out a win. Four of those have been on the road, two at Memorial Coliseum. Here is a list of the comebacks: 
• Beat Portland, 80-75, on Nov. 11 (R) - trailed by seven with 2:33 remaining.
• Beat Utah State, 83-79, at Memorial Coliseum on Nov. 20 - trailed by three with 7:16 remaining.
• Beat Stanford, 87-78, at Memorial Coliseum on Nov. 26 - trailed by 11 with 18:10 remaining (trailed by 14 in first half).
• Beat Santa Clara, 87-84, on Dec. 9 (R) - trailed by 17 with 14:51 remaining/trailed by 10 with 7:08 remaining.
• Beat Idaho, 73-72, on Jan. 6 (R) - trailed by five with 2:59 left.
• Beat Idaho State, 87-83, on Jan. 18 (R) - trailed by 16 with 18:30 remaining.
 
GRAND LARCENY: Portland State has broken the school record in steals in each of the last two seasons (2015-16 - 263/8.5 pg; 2016-17 - 307/9.9 pg). This year, the Vikings appear on pace to do it again. 
• The Vikings average 11.2 steals per game to lead the nation (235 total).
• PSU leads the nation in turnover margin (+7.7).
• The Vikings force 20.5 turnovers per game to rank second in the nation.
• Portland State has 18 or more steals in five games this season... opponents have 20 or more turnovers 10 times.
• Four Vikings rank in the top nine in steals in the Big Sky Conference.
 
HUSTLE CHART: Portland State Head Coach Barret Peery has emphasized that his team's full-court pressure style of play will be about forcing turnovers, creating fast breaks and getting to the offensive glass. So far, mission accomplished. Here is a look at PSU's hustle chart and the points they produce:
• Turnovers forced: 431 (20.5 to lead the Big Sky and rank second in the nation) for 509 points (24.2 per game)
• Fast break points: 268 (12.8 per game)
• Offensive rebounds: 304 (14.5 to lead the Big Sky and rank fourth in the nation) for 307 second chance points (14.6 per game)
 
PUTTING THE BISCUIT IN THE BASKET: Portland State is averaging 88.0 points per game this season. That is the most by a Viking team since 1976-77 (91.0) when Freeman Williams trod the (former) Stott Center hardwood. Here is a look at PSU's top scoring averages in 22 seasons as a member of the Big Sky Conference.
 
Year               PPG
2017-18         88.0
2016-17         85.3
1998-99         79.1
2006-07         78.2
 
CANDA CAN-DO: A second-year starter for the Vikings, SR G Bryce Canda does it all for the Vikings. He averages 15.1 points and leads the team in rebounding (6.9), steals (2.1), and three-point field goals (50). 
• Canda ranks 12th in scoring, second in steals and fifth in rebounding and fifth in three-point field goals made in the Big Sky Conference.
• Canda has led the team in scoring eight times and rebounding nine times... he has six double-doubles.
• Has scored in double figures in 16 games, with five 20-point games and one 30-point game.
• Canda scored a career-high 31 points at Oregon, including 26 in the second half.
• He grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds in the win at Loyola Marymount.
• Scored 23 points with five rebounds, four assists and three steals in the win at Cal.
• Named Big Sky Conference Player of the Week on Nov. 21 after averaging 17.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.7 steals and 3.3 assists in three Viking wins. 
 
DUTCH BRO: FR G Holland "Boo Boo" Woods has had a big impact in his first season as a Viking. After coming off the bench the first nine games, he moved into the starting lineup. He ranks second in minutes played (31.0), averages 10.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and a team-leading 5.4 assists. 
• Woods leads the Big Sky in assists and ranks fifth in steals (1.8).
• Woods has 12 double-figure scoring games and two 20-point games.
• Has led the team in assists 15 times with a season-high 13 at Cal... has three double-figure assist games.
• Posted back-to-back career-high scoring games against Loyola Marymount (20 pts, 6-9 FG, 8-9 FT), then Santa Clara (26 pts, 10-12 FG, 3-4 3-pt, 3-3 FT).
• Named Big Sky Conference Player of the Week on Dec. 12 following LMU, Santa Clara wins after averaging 23.0 points, 5.5 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals. Shot 16-21 from the field (.761) and 11-12 at the line (.917).
• Hit a put-back game-winner from the middle of the key with 0.6 seconds left to beat Idaho 73-72. 
 
THE AIR UP THERE: SR C Ryan Edwards has stepped in for his only season at Portland State to become a starter in the middle. He now holds the distinction as being the tallest Viking in history (7-1).  
• Edwards averages 8.7 points and 4.1 rebounds per game and ranks second in the Big Sky with 1.9 blocks per game.
• Has upped his game in league play, averaging 10.5 points, 5.4 rebounds while shooting .500 from the field and .789 at the line. 
• Has nine double-figure scoring games and two double-doubles... has led team in rebounding three times.
• His seven blocked shots in only 14 minutes at Cal tied a school record.
• Had season-highs of 19 points and 10 rebounds with three blocked shots in a win at Idaho State.
 
INSPECTOR GADGET: SR F Brandon Hollins is a versatile piece of the Viking puzzle as a defender, part-time starter and full-time energy guy. Hollins averages 8.2 points and 6.1 rebounds in 22 minutes per game.
• Shoots .586 from the field to lead the Big Sky Conference and ranks 10th in rebounding.
• Has seven double-figure scoring games and two double-doubles... has led the team in rebounding seven times.
• Scored a season-high 14 points (4-5 FG, 6-6 FT) at Loyola Marymount.
• Made 6-6 field goals for 12 points in the win at Cal. 
 
BE LIKE MIKE: JR G Michael Mayhew has been a pleasant surprise for the Vikings this season. After scoring only 34 points all of last season, he averages 8.3 points per game.  
• Mayhew ranks second on the Vikings in three-point field goals and 12th in the Big Sky (43)... averages 1.5 steals per game (ninth in the Big Sky)... he made a career-high five steals in the win over Stanford.
• Posted a career-high 18 points (6-9 3-pt FG) in a win over Montana State.  
• Scored in double figures seven times.
 
FARRIS WHEEL: SR F Traylin Farris has been bothered by an ankle sprain and illness, missing eight games this season. However, he continues to be productive when he plays, averaging 6.3 points and 4.2 rebounds in 16 minutes per game.
• Had a double-double in the season-opening win at Portland: 11 points, 12 rebounds, four assists.
• Shoots .525 from the field.
• Has made seven starts.
 
POINTING NORTH: SR G Deontae North leads the team in scoring (21.1) while averaging 4.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists. He did not play against Sacramento State due to a team suspension.
• Ranks second in the Big Sky Conference in scoring, fifth in steals (1.8) and ninth in three-pointers made (2.2).
• North has scored 13 or more points in every game this season... he has 12 20-point games and two 30-point games.
• He had a stretch of 20+ points in eight straight games.
• North has led the team in scoring 13 times and assists three times.
• He had 24 points (8-13 FG, 4-5 3-pt, 4-4 FT) and four assists against top-ranked Duke in just 20 minutes of play. 
• Tied his career high with 30 points (9-14 FG, 1-4 3-pt, 11-16) in a win at Santa Clara, including 25 in the second half on 7-7 FGs and 11-16 FTs.
• Scored 23 points with six rebounds and two assists at Oregon.
• Had another 30-point night (11-16 FG, 6-8 3-pt, 2-5 FT) in a win at Idaho.
 
OTHER TASTY TIDBITS
• GAME-WINNERS: When FR G Holland Woods hit a game-winning shot with 0.6 points left against Idaho (73-72) it marked the first time a PSU player has made a clincher in the final five seconds of a game since Feb. 27, 2016. On that date, Calaen Robinson made a three-pointer with two seconds left to win at Northern Colorado, 89-86. 
• TRIPLE THE FUN: Portland State is averaging 9.6 three-point field goals made per game. The school record is 9.6 per game set in 2008-09... 10 of the 14 Vikings have made a three-pointer this season... PSU's 41 three-point attempts against Linfield were a school record (previous 39). The 18 three-pointers made came up just short of the record (21).
• BEST RECORDS: Earlier this season, Portland State matched its best four-game (4-0), five-game (4-1), nine-game (7-2), 10-game (8-2), 11-game (8-3), 12-game (9-3), 13-game (10-3) and 14-game (10-4) records in 22 seasons as a member of the Big Sky Conference.
• IT'S A TEAM GAME: Portland State has had a total of 87 double-figure scorers through 21 games (4.2 per game)... Eight players are averaging 5.6 points or more and three average in double figures... 10 players are averagdoubel figures in minutes... 10 players have made starts... there have been 10 different starting lineups... only SR G Bryce Canda has started every game.
• WEST COAST DOMINANCE: Portland State went 3-0 against its three West Coast Conference opponents this season (Portland, Loyola Marymount, Santa Clara)... PSU was 2-1 against the Pac-12 (W - Stanford, W - Cal, L - Oregon)... the Vikings are also 1-0 against the Big West and 1-0 against the Mountain West... that made them 7-1 against teams from other Division I basketball conferences in the west.
• BRAXTON IS BACK!: It seemed like such a little thing; SR F Braxton Tucker's line at California. He had one point and one rebound in 11 minutes of play. Nothing special. Except it was. It marked the first time in 39 games and just the sixth time in 81 Portland State games that Tucker was healthy enough to play. He had a solid sophomore season in 2014-15, but went down with a knee injury late in the year. Tucker missed all of 2015-16, then played only the first five games of 2016-17 (averaging 16.8 points and 5.4 rebounds) before sitting down with a bad knee again. After missing the first 12 games of this season, Tucker was cleared to play. And play he did.
• INJURY AND ILLNESS: Besides the opponent, the Portland State basketball team has been battling injury and illness all season. The Vikings have lost 42 player games by seven different players due to injury and illness this season. They are: Braxton Tucker (13), Brendan Rumel (12), Traylin Farris (8), Brandon Hollins (4), Jamie Orme (3), Ryan Edwards (1) and Deontae North (1).
 
BIG SKY LEADERS: The Vikings lead the Big Sky Conference in:
• Scoring, 88.0
• Steals, 11.2
• Assists, 17.0
• Blocked Shots, 4.0
• Turnover Margin, +7.7
• Assist-to-Turnover Ratio, 1.3
• Offensive Rebounds, 14.5
• 3-pt FG Made, 9.6
• Assists, Holland Woods, 5.4
• Field Goal Percentage, Brandon Hollins, .586