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PORTLAND STATE VIKINGS (10-5, 0-2) vs. IDAHO VANDALS (10-5, 2-1)
Saturday, January 6, 2018, 7 p.m. • Cowan Spectrum (5,000), Moscow, ID
Television: Eleven Sports • Play-by-Play: Matt Chazanow • Analyst: Joe Cravens
Live Video and Audio: www.WatchBigSky.com, www.Pluto.tv 
Live Stats: www.ViksLive.com
Complete notes and stats in pdf

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THE OPENING TIP
Portland State ends a grueling stretch of games in need of a turnaround this Saturday at Idaho. The Vikings and Vandals meet in a Big Sky Conference game televised on the Eleven Sports Network. It will be a matchup of the top scoring team (PSU) and the top scoring defense team (UI) in the league.
           
The game completes a 40-day span for PSU that has included seven road games in four different states and just one home game. The Vikings have paid for that in the past week, losing their first two Big Sky Conference games on the road. PSU stands at 10-5 overall, but 0-2 in the Big Sky after a Thursday loss at Eastern Washington, 81-74.
           
Idaho comes into the game also at 10-5 while boasting a 2-1 Big Sky record. The Vandals had to come from behind to beat Sacramento State on Thursday, but pulled off a 69-68 victory. They are now 5-0 at home this season.
           
Portland State has a 5-3 road record overall, and has gone 4-3 in the first seven games of the eight-game stretch. In all, the Vikings have played only four of 15 games at home this season, and that home has been an off-campus facility due to construction of the new Viking Pavilion.
           
The Vikings meet a formidable foe in the Vandals. Selected as the pre-season Big Sky Conference favorite in both the Coaches and Media polls, Idaho has a veteran team that returned all five starters from last season. The Vandals make their mark on defense, holding opponents to 64.7 points and .391 shooting per game, both of which are Big Sky bests. That may sound unappealing to a Viking team that has had two of its three lowest scoring games of the season against Sacramento State (75) and Eastern Washington (74). The Vikings shot .393 from the field combined in those two games, including 9-44 (.204) from three-point range. 
           
Despite Portland State's recent shooting struggles, it still leads the Big Sky in scoring (91.1) and three-point field goals made (12.4).
           
Saturday's game tips off at 7 p.m. at the Cowan Spectrum. The Eleven Sports Network is available on DirecTV and CenturyLink Prism. A live video stream will also be available at www.WatchBigSky.com and www.pluto.tv. Live stats are available at www.ViksLive.com.
 
COMING UP
Three games on the road to open the conference schedule are a tough way to start, but Portland State will be home for five of seven starting next week, and nine of the final 15 overall.     
           
Portland State's first Big Sky Conference home game is Thursday against Montana State. That game tips off at 8 pm. Saturday's game against Montana is a 1 p.m. start. All Viking home games are being played at Lewis and Clark College this season as construction on the new Viking Pavilion is being completed.
 
GAME NOTES: PORTLAND STATE vs. IDAHO
• ALL-TIME SERIES: Idaho leads the all-time series, 15-12, and the Big Sky Conference series, 4-1, over the Vikings... the Vandals have won the last four meetings, three of which have come at Cowan Spectrum, and six of the last seven dating to 2011.
• LAST SEASON, Feb. 2 at Cowan Spectrum, UI 89, PSU 72: Idaho won the only meeting between the schools last season on the strength of outstanding long-range shooting. Victor Sanders scored 40 points and Chad Sherwood added 23 for the Vandals as that tandem made 13-17 three-point field goals. Both were career scoring highs. Idaho shot .500 from the field, .538 from three-point range and .852 at the line. On the Viking side, PSU managed only a .373/.259/.636 shooting line. Deontae North scored 29 points and De'Sean Parsons added 23 for Portland State. 
• 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 160-145. Verlin is 6-1 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 10-5 on the season, 2-1 in Big Sky Conference play.
• The Vandals lead the Big Sky in scoring defense (64.7), field goal percentage defense (.391), three-point field goal percentage (.406), three-point field goal percentage defense (.288) and rebounding margin (+7.1).
• Senior guard Victor Sanders, a first team All-Big Sky Conference choice last season, leads the team in scoring (19.1) and has made 40 three-point field goals this season.
• Senior forward Brayon Blake averages 14.3 points and a Big Sky-leading 9.3 rebounds per game.
• Junior forward Nate Sherwood (10.5) and senior guard Perrion Callandret (10.2) also average in double figures. Callandret leads the team with 3.3 assists per game.
 
SUSTAINABLE AND RECYCLABLE VIKING QUICK NOTES
WINNING LINES 
• Portland State is 10-5 this season, 4-0 at home, 5-3 on the road, 1-2 at neutral sites.
• PSU has lost two in a row for the second time this season.
• The Vikings have won six straight at home dating to last season, with those wins coming at three different home venues (Peter W. Stott Center (2), Lewis and Clark College (3), Memorial Coliseum (1)). 
Big Sky Battles
• Portland State is 175-190 all-time in all Big Sky Conference games, including the Big Sky Tournament (11-12). 
• PSU is 116-58 in home games, 54-124 in road games and 5-9 in neutral-site games.
 
WHO IS HOT
• The Viking defense: PSU makes 12.4 steals per game and has a +9.7 turnover margin, both of which lead the nation. PSU has made 18 or more steals in five games this season... the Vikings force 22.0 turnovers, which ranks second in the nation. Opponents have had 20 or more turnovers nine times.
• Portland State averages 91.1 points per game, best in the Big Sky and third in the nation... the last time a PSU team has averaged more was 91.6 points during the 1971-72 season.
• SR G Deontae North has scored 20 or more in the last six games, averaging 23.5 points per game... he now ranks second in the Big Sky in scoring (20.3).
• SR F Traylin Farris did not get a shot off against Eastern Washington, but has made his last nine field goal attempts over his previous two games... he shoots .636 from the field.
• SR F Brandon Hollins had 13 points and 11 rebounds at Eastern Washington for his second double-double of the season... he has made 27-40 shots over the last seven games (.675) and now leads the Big Sky with a .595 field goal percentage.
 
WHO IS NOT
• Portland State has lost two in a row.
• The Vikings shot .417 from the field, .250 from three-point range and .529 at the line in the loss at Sacramento State... they followed that with .368 from the field and .150 from three-point range at Eastern Washington... in the past two games, they shot .393 from the field and .204 from three-point range. 
• PSU has been out-rebounded in nine of the last 12 games. 
• Portland State averages 22.9 fouls per game, most in the Big Sky and ranking 345th in the nation (among 351).
 
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 12.4 steals per game to lead the nation.
• PSU leads the nation in turnover margin (+9.7).
• The Vikings force 22.0 turnovers per game to rank second in the nation.
• Portland State has 18 or more steals in five games this season.
• Five Vikings rank in the top 10 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: 330 for 393 points (26.2 per game)
  • Fast break points: 224 (14.9 per game)
  • Offensive rebounds: 223 for 218 second chance points (14.5 per game)
 
POINTING NORTH: SR G Deontae North is having a brilliant season for the Vikings. North leads the team in scoring (20.3) while averaging 4.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists.
• Ranks second in the Big Sky Conference in scoring, fifth in steals (1.9) and 12th in assists.
• North has scored 13 or more points in every game this season... he has eight 20-point games and a 30-point game.
• Has scored 20+ points in six straight games.
• North has led the team in scoring eight 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.
 
CANDA CAN-DO: A second-year starter for the Vikings, SR G Bryce Canda does it all for the Vikings. He averages 16.9 points and leads the team in rebounding (6.9), steals (2.3), and three-point field goals (39). 
• Canda ranks 10th in scoring, second in steals and fourth in rebounding in the Big Sky Conference.
• Canda has led the team in scoring seven times and rebounding seven times... he has five double-doubles.
• Has scored in double figures in 13 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 for nine games, he has moved into the starting lineup. He ranks second in minutes played (31.1), averages 10.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and a team-leading 5.8 assists. 
• Woods leads the Big Sky in assists and ranks third in steals (1.9).
• Woods has eight double-figure scoring games and two 20-point games.
• Has led the team in assists 11 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).
 
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 8.1 points and 3.3 rebounds per game and ranks second in the Big Sky with 1.9 blocks per game.
• Has five double-figure scoring games.
• His seven blocked shots in only 14 minutes at Cal tied a school record.
 
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 8.1 points and 5.8 rebounds in 21 minutes per game.
• Shoots .595 from the field to lead the Big Sky Conference and ranks 11th in rebounding.
• Has six double-figure scoring games and two double-doubles... has led the team in rebounding five 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. 
 
FARRIS WHEEL: SR F Traylin Farris has been bothered by an ankle sprain, missing seven games this season. However, he continues to be productive when he plays, averaging 7.5 points and 4.3 rebounds in 16.5 minutes per game.
• Had a double-double in the season-opening win at Portland: 11 points, 12 rebounds, four assists.
• Shoots .639 from the field.
 
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 now ranks as the Vikings fourth-leading scorer (9.0) while coming off the bench. 
• Mayhew ranks second on the Vikings in three-point field goals (33) and averages 1.8 steals per game (sixth in the Big Sky)... he made a career-high five steals in the win over Stanford.
• He has twice set a career-high with 17 points in a game.  
• Scored in double figures six times.
 
BIG SKY LEADERS: The Vikings lead the Big Sky Conference in:
• Scoring, 91.1
• Scoring Margin, +13.0
• Steals, 12.4
• Assists, 18.4
• Blocked Shots, 4.4
• Turnover Margin, +9.7
• Assist-to-Turnover Ratio, 1.5
• Offensive Rebounds, 14.9
• 3-pt FG Made, 10.3
• Assists, Holland Woods, 5.8
• Brandon Hollins, Field Goal Percentage, .595
 
OTHER TASTY TIDBITS
• TRIPLE THE FUN: Portland State is averaging 10.3 three-point field goals made per game. The Vikings have never averaged as many as 10 in a season. The school record is 9.6 per game set in 2008-09... 10 of the 14 Vikings that have played have made a three-pointer... 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 65 double-figure scorers through 15 games (4.3 per game)... nine players are averaging 5.2 points or more and three average in double figures... nine players are averaging 15 or more minutes... 10 different players have made starts... 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 makes them 7-1 against teams from other Division I basketball conferences in the west.
• BRAXTON IS BACK!: It seems 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.
• QUICK STATS: JR G Deante Strickland ranks fourth in the Big Sky Conference in three-point percentage (.452)... Portland State has scored 81 or more points in 12 of 15 games this season.