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PORTLAND STATE VIKINGS vs. #14 OREGON DUCKS
Tuesday, November 6, 2018, 8 p.m. • Matthew Knight Arena (12,364), Eugene, OR
Television: Pac-12 Network • Play-by-Play: Aaron Goldsmith • Analyst: PJ Carlesimo
Live Stream: www.Pac12.com/live
Live Stats: www.ViksLive.com 
Complete notes and stats in pdf

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The second edition of Barret Peery's Portland State Vikings will take the court this Tuesday against no less an opponent that the 14th-ranked Oregon Ducks. The Vikings meet the Ducks at 8 p.m. in a game slated to be televised on the Pac-12 Network.
     
Portland State comes off a 20-14 season in Peery's first go-round. It marked the first 20-win season on the Park Blocks in nine years. Peery's frenetic pressure defense and high-paced offense created a lot of highlights in 2017-18, and he hopes for more after a full recruiting year heading into 2018-19.
     
The Viking team features 2017-18 Big Sky Conference Freshman of the Year Holland "Boo Boo" Woods. The Viking point guard was also named to the 2018-19 Preseason All-Big Sky team. He is joined in the backcourt by returners Michael Mayhew and Deante Strickland. Jamie Orme and Brendan Rumel are featured front court players that return for the Vikings. PSU added eight newcomers - three freshmen and five transfers - to the roster.
     
A non-conference performance similar to last year's would be a great place to start for the Vikings.PSU's 10-3 non-conference record was its best in school history and included wins over Pac-12 schools Stanford and Cal, a 3-0 mark against West Coast Conference schools, 1-0 against both the Mountain West and Big West. The Vikings three losses came against prominent programs (Duke, Butler, Oregon).
     
Portland State took a 119-89 exhibition win over Multnomah on Friday night at the Viking Pavilion. The Lions, an NAIA program, attempted 59 three-point field goals, making 21. That was enough to keep the Vikings on their toes for most of the night.
     
Six players scored in double figures for PSU, with 18 points apiece from Holland Woods, Michael Nuga and Deante Strickland. Jamie Orme had a double-double with 11 points, 14 rebounds and three steals. Nuga added 11 rebounds to go with his 18 points in 18 minutes. Woods also had eight assists and four steals.
     
Portland State was strong in its two major points of emphasis: forcing turnovers and offensive rebounds. The Vikings turned the Lions over 21 times for 26 points. They also grabbed 25 offensive rebounds and scored 26 second chance points.
     
PSU shot 44-100 from the field, hit 9-29 three-pointers (.310) and 22-28 free throws (.786). The Vikings won the battle on the glass, 67-39.
 
COMING UP
The Vikings have their first official home contest in the new Viking Pavilion against UC Riverside on Nov. 10 at 7:05 p.m. That will be the first of six non-conference home games in the new facility.
 
GAME NOTES: PORTLAND STATE vs. OREGON
• ALL-TIME SERIES: Oregon leads the all-time series, 12-2. The Ducks hold an 9-2 advantage in Eugene... Oregon has won six straight games in the series, the most recent a 95-84 decision last Dec. 13... PSU's two wins in the series came at McArthur Court (1997 and 2005).
• LAST YEAR: DEC. 13, 2017, OREGON 95, PORTLAND STATE 84: Oregon held off a feisty Portland State team that pulled within two points on three occasions in the second half to earn the win. The Ducks shot .500 from the field to only .378 for the Vikings and won the rebounding battle, 43-35. Bryce Canda scored a career-high 31 for the Vikings and Deonte North added 23 points. Holland Woods handed off 10 assists... Oregon had a big game from Kenny Wooten off the bench scoring 18 points (8-8 FG) with five rebounds and six blocked shots. Elijah Brown scored 22, while Payton Pritchard had 18 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
• HARKEN BACK TO YESTERYEAR: Oregon has won 20 straight home openers. The last time the Ducks lost a home opener was Nov. 25, 1997, a 56-54 decision to Portland State at McArthur Court. PSU's Head Coach at the time was Ritchie McKay.
• PORTLAND STATE vs. THE PAC-12 CONFERENCE: Portland State is 7-52 all-time against current members of the Pac-12 Conference. The Vikings were 2-1 last season, with an 87-78 win over Stanford in the PK80 Invitational and a 106-81 win at Cal, and a 95-84 loss at Oregon... PSU has wins over Oregon (2), Arizona State (2), USC (1), Stanford (1) and Cal (1) - all coming within the past 20 seasons... the Vikings will also play at Stanford on Nov. 28.
• COACHES: Vikings Coach Barret Peery is in his second season on the Park Blocks and has a 20-14 career record. Peery is 0-1 against the Ducks. 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 Ducks are coached by Dana Altman who is in his ninth season at Oregon. He has a 210-83 record, including 3-0 against the Vikings. In 34 seasons as a collegiate head coach, Altman is 743-350.
 
OREGON DUCKS
• Oregon is a member of the Pac-12 Conference. The Ducks were 23-13 last season, 10-8 and tied for sixth in the Pac-12. They reached the second round of the NIT before being knocked out.
• The Ducks were 16-3 at home last season.
• Oregon's recruiting class ranked third in the nation and features 7-2 Bol Bol, a five-star prospect.
• Junior guard Payton Pritchard returns after averaging 14.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game last season.
• Guard Victor Bailey (6.7 ppg), forward Kenny Wooten (6.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.6 bpg) and forward Paul White (9.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg) are also featured returners.
• The Ducks won their exhibition game over Western Oregon, 77-58. Bol Bol was the leading scorer with 19 points, eight rebounds and two blocked shots. Francis Okoro came off the bench for 16 points and 10 rebounds. The Ducks shot 55% from the field, 78% at the line and outrebounded the Wolves, 45-33... point guard Payton Pritchard did not play, but will play against the Vikings. Paul White also did not play for personal reasons, but will play against the Vikings.
 
VIKINGS OPEN 2018-19 SEASON IN LONG-AWAITED NEW HOME
The long-awaited, much-anticipated return of basketball to the Park Blocks and the Viking Pavilion officially begins this week as the Portland State Vikings open practice for the 2018-19 season.
     
Second-year Head Coach Barret Peery leads a group of 15 players, including seven returners and eight newcomers, as they prepare for the inaugural season in the Viking Pavilion at the Peter W. Stott Center.
     
It should be an exciting time as Portland State comes off a 20-14 season - it's best record in nine years - and goes after back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time since 2007-08 and 2008-09. Doubly exciting, is the opportunity to play in a new state-of-the-art home they can call their own for the first time in school history.
     
PSU had previously played in the Stott Center's old gym, which seated 1,500, dating back to 1966-67. Construction that began on the Viking Pavilion in 2016 was completed in April of this year. The Vikings played off campus at Lewis and Clark College last season due to the work.
     
"It means the world to us to be home," said Peery. "At this time last year I don't think any of us had any idea how challenging it would be to travel for our home court - even across town - but I thought our guys handled it well. For us to come home and have this new beautiful building, we couldn't be more excited about it."
     
Portland State returns two starters and seven letterwinners from the 2017-18 team. SO G Holland "Boo Boo" Woods was the Big Sky Conference Freshman of the Year last season after averaging 10.5 points and a Big Sky-best 5.6 assists per game. The other returning starter is SR G Michael Mayhew (6-2, 8.1 ppg, 66 3-pt FG).
     
Also returning in the backcourt is SR G Deante Strickland (5-10, 7.7 ppg, team-leading .422 3-pt FG%, 10 starts). Other returners include SR F Jamie Orme (6-7, 4.0 ppg, 3.1 rpg), SO F Brendan Rumel (6-10, 4.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg, played eight games and granted redshirt season due to injury), SR G Derek Brown (6-0, 5.1 ppg, .521 FG%) and SR G Vonte Carter (6-2, 2.7 ppg).
     
The Vikings have had significant player turnover due to graduation, particularly on inside players, but Peery feels like his recruiting class is more than capable of filling the void, and perhaps better suits his "Peery Pressure."
     
"We have been able to continue to get pieces to fit our style of play. I think people saw last year we have a system that is unique. Having a year under our belt recruiting to that system, you will see some pieces that fit us even better, with all due respect to who we had last year," he said.
     
Peery and his staff signed three freshmen and five transfers to the program for this year. Among the freshmen are a pair of 6-9 forwards, Trey Wood (Anthem (AZ) HS) and Filip Fullerton (Southridge (OR) HS), and a 6-4 guard, Kyle Greeley (West Salem (OR) HS), who led the state in scoring at 27.8 points per game. The junior transfers include forwards Sal Nuhu (6-8, Hutchinson (KS) JC), Robert McCoy (6-7, San Diego CC) and Rashaad Goolsby (6-7, Phoenix College), and guards Michael Nuga (6-2, Eastern Florida JC) and Juwan Williams (6-5, Panola (TX) CC).
     
That group of newcomers are expected to contribute significantly this season.
     
"The strength of our team will be our depth at each position and the interchangeable parts. We have recruited guys that can play multiple positions," said Peery. "Our weakness will be that we will have some inexperience early on, but I also think our talent level has taken a step up.
     
"The style of play will be the same," said Peery, referring to a team that ranked third in the nation in scoring last year (85.2 ppg), and second in steals (9.8) and turnovers forced (18.1). "I think we will be able to ramp it up even more. I think our depth will be very good. I like our length and athleticism and our speed has taken a step up."
     
The key will be bringing it all together in the opening two months of practice.
     
"We have spent a lot of time talking about the off-the-court stuff - anything we can do to be closer and a better, more unified group. When we hit the floor we need to carry over some of those things we learned about each other. Truly we have a chance to be a better defensive team, guarding in the half court, and an even better offensive rebounding team though we had good stats in that area last year," Peery said.
     
If those things prove to be true, the Vikings have an exciting season ahead.
     
"We have a much more likable schedule (with more games in a true home) but that doesn't immediately translate into more wins. Now we have to remember all the things that will get us to where we need to be and what got us to 20 wins last year."
     
A shiny, new Viking Pavilion will be a good place to start.
 
2018-19 SEASON NOTES
 
WOODS PICKED TO PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
Portland State's Holland "Boo Boo" Woods, the Big Sky Conference Freshman of the Year in 2017-18, already has another accolade before playing a single game of his sophomore season. Woods was named to the Big Sky's Preseason All-Conference Team today in a vote of league media.
     
In his first season as a Viking Woods averaged 10.5 points and a Big Sky-leading 5.6 assists per game. He also averaged 1.5 steals to rank fourth in the conference, and 2.7 rebounds.
     
The 6-foot sophomore from Phoenix, Arizona's Apollo High School took over as starting point guard for the Vikings in game 10 of the season and never looked back. He directed the Viking offense to 85.2 points per game, which ranked third in the nation.
     
Woods is the only sophomore on the Big Sky's Preseason All-Conference team and joins a formidable group. Included are Montana senior guards Ahmaad Rorie and Michael Oguine, who led their team to the Big Sky Championship last season. Rorie was first team All-Big Sky last season and has been named the league's preseason MVP. Oguine was last season's Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year and a second team selection.
     
Junior Jerrick Harding of Weber State was also a first team All-Big Sky choice last season. Senior Tyler Hall of Montana State was a second team selection and senior Jordan Davis of Northern Colorado was a third team selection. They round out the All-Big Sky Preseason Team.
 
2018-19 Preseason All-Big Sky Conference Team
Ahmaad Rorie, SR, G, Montana (MVP)
Jerrick Harding, JR, G, Weber State
Tyler Hall, SR, G, Montana State
Jordan Davis, SR, G, Northern Colorado
Michael Oguine, SR, G, Montana
Holland Woods, SO, G, Portland State
 
WHAT IS PEERY PRESSURE?
Portland State Head Coach Barret Peery emphasizes a full-court pressure defense that forces turnovers and creates transition opportunities. Then, on the offensive end, his team relentlessly attacks the offensive glass. The results proved out quite well in 2017-18. Here are the analytics of those two areas.
• The Vikings forced 18.1 turnovers per game and had a +5.4 turnover margin (1st in the nation).
• The Vikings averaged 14.5 offensive rebounds per game (2nd in the nation) while opponents averaged 10.2 offensive rebounds.
• In all, the difference in total turnovers (184) and total offensive rebounds (145) meant 329 extra possessions compared to opponents (9.7).
• It is no wonder the Vikings had 361 more field goal attempts and 199 more free throw attempts than their opponents last year and 85.2 points (3rd in the nation).
 
WOOD WILL REDSHIRT 2018-19 SEASON
FR F Trey Wood is scheduled to redshirt the 2018-19 season. The 6-9 recruit from Anthem, AZ had corrective surgery on his right shoulder in mid-October and will spend the season recuperating.
 
VIKINGS PICKED FIFTH, SEVENTH IN BIG SKY PRESEASON POLLS
Big Sky Conference Coaches have picked the Portland State men's basketball team to finish fifth in this season's 2018-19 league preseason poll. Big Sky media tabbed the Vikings for seventh in the 11-team league.
 
Montana was the consensus favorite, earning 10 of 11 first-place coaches votes and 33 of 35 first-place media votes. The Griz, league champions in 2017-18, were followed by Weber State, Northern Colorado and Eastern Washington in each poll.
     
Portland State was 20-14 last season, tying for sixth place in the 12-team league with a 9-9 record. The Vikings advanced to the Big Sky Tournament quarterfinals before being eliminated and earned a berth in the CollegeInsider.com post-season tournament.
     
Second-year Head Coach Barret Peery returns two starters and seven letterwinners from last year's team. Included are Big Sky Freshman of the Year Holland "Boo Boo" Woods (10.5 ppg, 5.6 apg) as well as seniors Michael Mayhew (8.1 ppg, 66 3-pt FG) and Deante Strickland (7.7 ppg, 2.6 apg, 54 3-pt FG).
     
This season the league has been pared to 11 teams as North Dakota has moved on to the Summit League. The new league schedule will include a full double-round robin home and home schedule. That means 20 league games leading up to the Big Sky Conference Tournament, Mar. 13-16, in Boise, ID.
 
2018-19 Big Sky Conference Coaches Poll
Team, Points, last season's record
1. Montana, 100 (10) - 26-8, 16-2
2. Weber State, 90 (1) - 20-11, 13-5
3. Northern Colorado, 70 - 23-12, 11-7
4. Eastern Washington, 63 - 20-15, 13-5
5. Portland State, 55 - 20-14, 9-9
t6. Montana State, 53 - 13-19, 6-12
t6. Southern Utah, 53 - 13-19, 5-13
8. Idaho State, 50 - 14-16, 9-9
9. Idaho, 34 - 22-9, 14-4
10. Sacramento State, 27 - 7-25, 4-14
11. Northern Arizona, 10 - 5-27, 2-16
 
2018-19 Big Sky Conference Media Poll
Team, Points
1. Montana, 383 (33)
2. Weber State, 346 (2)
3. Northern Colorado, 280
4. Eastern Washington, 261
5. Montana State, 194
6. Idaho, 192
7. Portland State, 189
8. Idaho State, 176
9. Southern Utah, 128
10. Sacramento State, 115
11. Northern Arizona, 46
 
THE VIKING PAVILION
Portland State University held Grand Opening ceremonies for the new Viking Pavilion at the Peter W. Stott Center on April 9.
     
The long-awaited arena and events facility became a first-class venue for the university and the Viking Athletics program. Viking volleyball opened the Pavilion for Viking Athletics with the first official sporting events in August. The first major athletics event was on Apr. 28 when PSU hosted a Grand Opening Gala (Wine and Roses). Numerous other campus events have taken place over the past six months.
     
The Viking Pavilion, a 141,700-square foot facility seats just over 3,000 people for basketball. Seating is more than double the size of the old Stott Center main gym. The facility also has a new weight room, locker rooms, academic center and administrative offices as well as the new OHSU Sports Medicine Center. A new Viking Athletics Hall of Fame display will be completed in October. Other additions include five new classrooms, new student lounges and a new cafe also opening this fall. 
     
The $52.1 million project, which was part renovation and part rebuild, was designed by Woofter Architects/Perkins+Will. Fortis Construction was the general contractor. $19.1 million came from private gifts and PSU project funds, $7.5 million was a sponsorship from OHSU, $24 million are from state bonds and $1.5 million are from student fees. None of the funding came from general operating funds or tuition dollars. Formal fund-raising began in 2013. An official ground breaking took place on April 23, 2016.