PORTLAND STATE VIKINGS (16-14, 10-8) vs. NORTHERN ARIZONA LUMBERJACKS (16-12, 10-9)

Thursday, March 5, 2020, 7:05 p.m. Viking Pavilion (3,094), Portland, OR
Live Stream: Pluto TV Channel 532, pluto.tv, WatchBigSky.com Play-by-play: Matt Richert Analyst: Devon Pouncey
Live Stats: www.ViksLive.com
Complete notes and stats in pdf

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THE OPENING TIP

Portland State continues its strong push toward the Big Sky Conference Tournament this week with its final two regular season games at home. The Vikings host Northern Arizona on Thursday, then Senior Night against Sacramento State Saturday at Viking Pavilion.
     
The Vikings currently hold fourth place in the Big Sky Conference as they will host fifth-place NAU (10-9). The winner of the game is guaranteed the fourth or fifth seed in the Big Sky Conference Tournament (based on tie breakers) and will avoid a first-round game. The loser will be no worse than a tie for fifth. However, following Saturday night's final regular season games, that same loser has the potential to fall to sixth or seventh (PSU plays Saturday, NAU does not). Dropping below fifth would mean playing a first-round game on Wed., Mar. 11. This Thursday's game could also be a potential preview of the fourth/fifth quarterfinal round game on Thursday, Mar. 12 depending on the outcome of games this week.
     
PSU (16-14, 10-8) comes into the week having won a season-best four games in a row. Last week was particularly special as the Vikings won at Idaho State and Weber State, sweeping that road trip weekend for the first time since 2006. The Vikings also swept the season series from perennial powerhouse Weber State for the first time since 2006. And for the first time ever they have won two in a row in Ogden.
     
Exceptional play has come from many sources during the Vikings' late-season run. They have dialed up the offense, averaging 88 points per game in the four-game winning streak. PSU has scored 81 or more in six straight and eight of the last nine games. Last week, JR G Holland Woods (23.0 ppg, 5.5 apg, 3.0 spg) and SR C Sal Nuhu (14.5 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 2.5 bpg) were especially effective. Off the bench, SR G Lamar Hamrick (14.0 ppg, 55% FG) was a big contributor and SR F Rashaad Goolsby had a career-high 18 points and nine rebounds in the win at Weber State.
     
In addition to a four-game winning streak, the Vikings are 9-3 at home this season.
     
NAU (16-12, 10-9) comes into the game with a 6-7 road record. The Lumberjacks beat the Vikings in a close game in Flagstaff, 84-82, on Jan. 25.
     
Thursday's game with Northern Arizona is a 7:05 p.m. tip-off at Viking Pavilion. The game will be live streamed on Pluto TV Channel 532, www.pluto.tv and www.WatchBigSky.com. Live statistics can be found at www.ViksLive.com.
 

THE BIG SKY CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT

The Big Sky Conference Tournament takes place Mar. 11-14 at CenturyLink Arena in Boise, ID. First-round games are on Wednesday, March 11. The top five teams in league play earn a bye into the quarterfinals on Thursday.
 

THE UPCOMING BIG SKY SCHEDULE

• t1. Montana (14-4) - 3/5 UNC, 3/7 SUU
• t1. Eastern Washington (14-4) - 3/5 ISU, 3/7 WSU
• 3. Northern Colorado (13-5) - 3/5 at UM, 3/7 at MSU
• 4. Portland State (10-8) - 3/5 NAU, 3/7 SAC
• 5. Northern Arizona (10-9) - 3/5 at PSU
• 6. Montana State (9-9) - 3/5 SUU, 3/7 UNC
• 7. Southern Utah (8-10) - 3/5 at MSU, 3/7 at UM
• 8. Sacramento State (8-11) - 3/7 at PSU
• 9. Weber State (7-10) - 3/2 ISU, 3/5 at UI, 3/7 at EWU
• 10. Idaho State (3-14) - 3/2 at WSU, 3/5 at EWU, 3/7 at UI
• 11. Idaho (3-15) - 3/5 WSU, 3/7 ISU

 

2020 Big Sky Conference Men's Basketball Championship Schedule

 

Wednesday, March 11, 2020, live streamed on Pluto TV, WatchBigSky.com

• Game 1 – No. 8 Seed vs. No. 9 Seed, 9:30 a.m.          
• Game 2 – No. 7 Seed vs. No. 10 Seed, approx. Noon
• Game 3 – No. 6 Seed vs. No. 11 Seed, approx. 2:30 p.m.

 

Thursday, March 12, 2020, live streamed on Pluto TV, WatchBigSky.com

• Game 4 – No. 1 Seed vs. Game 1 Winner, Noon         
• Game 5 – No. 4 Seed vs. No. 5 Seed, approx. 2:30 p.m.
• Game 6 – No. 2 Seed vs. Game 2 Winner, approx. 5:30 p.m.
• Game 7 – No. 3 Seed vs. Game 3 Winner, approx. 8 p.m.

 

Friday, March 13, 2020, televised on Eleven Sports, live streamed on Pluto TV

• Game 8 – Game 4 Winner vs. Game 5 Winner (Semifinals), 5:30 p.m.
• Game 9 – Game 6 Winner vs. Game 7 Winner (Semifinals), approx. 8 p.m.

 

Saturday, March 14, 2020, televised on ESPNU

• Game 10 – Championship Game, 6 p.m.

 
All times listed are Mountain
 

GAME NOTES: PORTLAND STATE vs. NORTHERN ARIZONA

THE SERIES: Portland State leads the all-time series, 27-25, and the Big Sky Conference series, 25-24... the Vikings lead 17-6 in Big Sky Conference games played in Portland, including the last three.
Jan. 19, 2020 at Flagstaff, Northern Arizona 84, PSU 82: Northern Arizona never led until the final three minutes, but that was all that mattered. A career-high 25 points from Luke Avdalovic, including several key three-pointers in the second half, helped the Lumberjacks come back. At one point, he scored 11 straight points for the 'Jacks including three three-pointers in a row. The Vikings led by six at 76-70 with 4:10 to play after a put-back basket by center Sal Nuhu. Then, Northern Arizona ran off seven points in a row to take its first lead. NAU made 5-6 free throws and a put-back layin down the stretch. Brooks DeBisschop made the second of two free throws with 6.4 seconds to go giving NAU the 84-82 lead. The Vikings inbounded to point guard Holland Woods, who raced the length of the court to put up a runner in the lane. It bounced off the back rim and out as the final horn sounded. Nuhu scored 18 points on 8-11 field goals and grabbed 15 rebounds to tie his career high. Woods had 16 points and seven assists. Avdalovic made 9-13 shots, including 7-11 three-pointers. Bernie Andre scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for NAU.
COACHES: Vikings Coach Barret Peery (Southern Utah, 1996) is in his third season on the Park Blocks and has a 52-44 career record. Peery is 2-2 all-time against Northern Arizona... Peery's 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)... Shane Burcar is one of two interim Head Coaches in the Big Sky Conference this season, and one of four new coaches overall.
 

NORTHERN ARIZONA LUMBERJACKS

• Northern Arizona joined the Big Sky Conference in 1970. NAU has won four Big Sky regular season championships and two Big Sky Tournament titles, making two appearances in the NCAA Tournament.
• Northern Arizona was 10-21 last season, 8-12 and tied for eighth in the Big Sky Conference. Five starters and eight letterwinners return from that team. Forward Bernie Andre was named Big Sky Conference Newcomer of the Year and third team All-Big Sky.
• This season, Northern Arizona is 16-2 overall, 10-9 in the Big Sky Conference. The Lumberjacks average 71.4 points per game and allow 69.2 points. They are one of the better three-point shooting teams in the league at .361 from the field and 7.4 made per game.
• Guard Cameron Shelton is the 'Jacks top scorer at 14.4 points per game. He also averages 6.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.5 steals per game.
• Forward Brooks DeBisschop averages 11.9 points and 8.0 rebounds. He leads the Big Sky in shooting at .557 from the field.
• Forward Bernie Andre averages 10.8 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. Guard Luke Avdalovic is shooting .420 from three-point range with a team-high 50 made. 

 

SUSTAINABLE AND RECYCLABLE VIKING QUICK NOTES

WINNING LINES

• Portland State is 16-14 on the season, 9-3 at home, 6-11 on the road and 1-0 in neutral site games.
• The Vikings have won a season-best four games in a row.
• PSU has won its last two home games.
• The Vikings have won their last three road games.
• With 16 wins, PSU has double-digit wins in 16 of the last 17 seasons... the Vikings have won at least 16 for the third straight year... 16 wins ties for ninth-most in 24 seasons as a member of the Big Sky Conference.
• Last season, PSU was 15-15 after 30 games.

Home Court(s)

• Portland State opened the Viking Pavilion at the Peter W. Stott Center in 2018-19. The Stoller Family Court is PSU's fifth home court since joining the Big Sky Conference in 1996-97. Previously, the main home court was the old Peter W. Stott Center. However, the Vikings also used the Rose Garden (now Moda Center) and Memorial Coliseum occasionally over the years. In 2017-18, PSU used Lewis & Clark College's Pamplin Sports Center as a home court while the Viking Pavilion was being completed. Here is the breakdown:
  • Viking Pavilion - 28 games, 21-7, .750
  • Peter W. Stott Center - 233 games, 168-65, .721
  • Rose Garden (Moda Center) - 28 games, 19-9, .679
  • Memorial Coliseum - 19 games, 13-6, .684
  • Lewis and Clark (2017-18) - 12 games, 7-5, .583
  • 24th season - 320 games, 228-92 at home overall, .712
• Portland State has lost only 11 non-conference home games in the last 13 seasons (56-11). PSU is 29-11 against Division I schools, and 27-0 against lower division schools over that span.

 

WHO IS HOT

• PSU OFFENSE: Portland State has been shooting and scoring at its best rate of the season. The Vikings have scored 81 or more points in eight of the last nine games. They have averaged 88.8 points during the four-game winning streak. PSU had its best shooting percentage of the season (32-56, .571) in the win at Northern Colorado (2/10), and is shooting .504 over the last six games... PSU is 45-53 at the free throw line in the last three games (.849).
• PSU DEFENSE: The Vikings have forced 93 turnovers in the last five games (18.6), scoring 108 points off turnovers (21.6)... they had 56 steals in those games (11.2), including 16 by JR G Holland Woods (3.2).
• SR C Sal Nuhu had his fifth double-double in Big Sky Conference play, and sixth of the season with 15 points (6-11 FG, 3-3 FT), 11 rebounds and two blocked shots in the win at Idaho State... Nuhu followed with 14 points, eight rebounds and three blocked shots in the win at Weber State... he leads the Big Sky Conference with 2.2 blocked shots per game.
• JR G Holland Woods has averaged 22.7 points in the last three games, shooting 23-44 from the field (.523), 5-12 from three-point range (.417) and 17-17 at the line... he is the Big Sky leader for steals with 63 (2.1)... Woods has made 19 free throws in a row overall.

 

WHO IS NOT

• Portland State is allowing the most points (76.9) in Big Sky Conference games this season (but also scoring the most at 77.9).
• The Vikings have been out-rebounded by a total of 35 in the last five games (-7.0).
• SR F Markus Golder is out with a leg injury, becoming the fourth Viking starter to miss time due to injury this season.

 

PEER-ING IN ON THE HEAD COACH

Portland State Head Coach Barret Peery is in his third season on the Park Blocks. His winning percentage (52-44, .542) ranks second among the six Viking head coaches of the Big Sky Conference era (Ken Bone, .611).

• Peery reached his 50th career win at PSU against Montana State (2/20). It took him 94 games to get to 50 wins. That is the second fastest by a Viking coach in the Big Sky era. Ken Bone needed 88 games to get to 50 wins.
• In Big Sky Conference play, Peery has had the most success against Montana State (5-1) and Idaho State (5-1). He has had the least success against Eastern Washington (2-5).
• Last week, Peery led the Vikings to an Idaho State-Weber State road trip sweep for the first time since 2006... the Vikings have won at Weber State in back-to-back years for the first time since joining the Big Sky.
• Peery led PSU to its best preseason record ever in 2017-18 at 10-3. The Vikings also had their best road record ever (10-6) that season.

 

HOME IS WHERE THE WINS ARE

The completion of the Viking Pavilion prior to the 2018-19 basketball season was transformative for the entire Portland State Athletic Program. So far, the results on the court have been better than ever. PSU is 20-7 in the Viking Pavilion (.741 winning percentage). The previous main home court, the old Peter W. Stott Center gym, produced a .721 winning percentage after reinstating basketball and joining the Big Sky Conference between 1996-97 and 2017-18. In all, PSU's four different home venues prior to the Viking Pavilion produced a .709 winning mark. 
 

BOO BOO IS REWRITING THE RECORD BOOK

Portland State point guard Holland "Boo Boo" Woods has set three new Portland State records this season, and now holds four in his career.

• Woods passed the PSU career record for assists in a Dec. 28 win against Northern Colorado. He currently ranks seventh in Big Sky Conference history in assists.
• His second Portland State career record came in a win at Montana State on Jan. 11 when he eclipsed the steals mark. Appropriately enough, he scored 30 points and hit the game-winning shot with 2.4 seconds left in that game.
• Against Montana (1/30), Woods made 21-21 free throws to establish a new school and Big Sky record for most free throws made in a game without a miss. They were also school records for most attempted and most made in a game. Woods finished with a career-high 39 points in the win.
• Ironically, Woods now holds records for free throw and field goal shooting in a game at PSU. His previous record came his freshman season, when he went 10-10 from the field in a win over Eastern Washington (2/3/18), to set a PSU mark for most field goals in a game without a miss. 
• In addition, Woods became the 19th Viking in history to pass 1,000 career points. He now has 1,333 points to rank fifth all-time. Woods has scored more points than any Viking in the past 15 years.

 

VIKINGS CAREER ASSIST LEADERS

Pos	Player	AST
1.	Holland Woods (2017-20)	511
2.	Terry Adolph (1976-78)	421
3.	Chucky Smith (1974-78)	392
4.	Derek Nesland (1996-00)	371
5.	Will Funn (2003-05)	328

 

VIKINGS CAREER STEALS LEADERS

Pos	Player	Steals
1.	Holland Woods (2017-20)	162
2.	Calaen Robinson (2015-17)	128
3.	Anthony Lackey (1998-02)	121
4.	Zach Gengler (2013-17)	120
5.	Jeremiah Dominguez (2007-09)	115

 

VIKINGS CAREER SCORING LEADERS

Pos	Player	Points
1.	Freeman Williams (1974-78)	3,249
2.	John Nelson (1962-66)	2,123
3.	Willie Stoudamire (1969-72)	1,845
4.	Seamus Boxley (2000-05)	1,498
t5.	Holland Woods (2017-20)	1,350
t5.	Anthony Lackey (1998-02)	1,304
7.	Leo Franz (1970-73)	1,245
8.	Charlie Stoudamire (1969-72)	1,179
9.	John Winters (1955-59)	1,169
10.	Derreck Brooks (1973-77)	1,155

 

BOO BOO, PART TWO

A few more highlights from Holland Woods:

• Ranks fifth in the Big Sky in scoring (17.6), second in assists (5.2), fourth in free throw percentage (.852) and first in steals (2.1).
• Has led the team in scoring 13 times and has 12 games of 20 or more points, including two games with 30+ points.
• Boo Boo has led the team in assists 24 times this season and in 76 of 95 career games.
• Made 27 straight free throws at one point this season... is on a current streak of 19 straight.

 

TRIPLE THREAT

SR G Matt Hauser has become the Vikings' top three-point shooting threat.

• Hauser is averaging 14.2 points and has a team-high 56 three-point field goals. He also averages 2.3 assists and 1.5 steals.
• Ranks 13th in the Big Sky in scoring and third in three-pointers made (2.4).
• Has led the team in scoring seven times this season and has six 20+ point games.
• Missed seven games due to an ankle sprain.

 

YAHOO FOR NUHU

SR C Sal Nuhu is on a roll in Big Sky play with five double-doubles for the Vikings. He is averaging 10.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocked shots for the season.

• Leads the Big Sky in blocked shots, ranks fifth in rebounding.
• In conference play he averages 11.1 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.3 blocks.
• Has six double-doubles this season and has led the team in rebounding 10 times.
• Missed seven games this season (six due to an ankle sprain, one due to illness).

 

VIKINGS CAREER BLOCKED SHOTS LEADERS

Pos	Player	Blocks
1.	Scott Morrison (2004-08)	187
2.	Seamus Boxley (2000-05)	128
3.	Collin Spickerman (2014-16)	117
4.	Sal Nuhu (2018-20)	115
5.	Jamie Jones (2008-10)	105

 

GOOLSBY GOALS

SR F Rashaad Goolsby has upped his game in his senior season.

• He is averaging 7.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.3 steals per game and 0.9 blocked shots per game. Last season, he averaged 4.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 0.7 steals in 18.3 minutes per game.
• In nine starts Goolsby averaged 7.2 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocked shots.
• Ranks 10th in rebounding, 15th in steals and 11th in blocked shots in the Big Sky Conference.
• Has led the team in rebounding 14 times this season and has two double-doubles.

 

TALKING THE WALKER

Graduate transfer newcomer, SR F Alonzo Walker, has started all 26 games he has played for PSU and been productive. In 23 minutes per night, he averages 9.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, has 18 blocked shots and shoots .502 from the field.

• Walker has led the team in rebounding five times and has three 10+ rebound games.

 

HAMMER TIME

SR G Lamar Hamrick has become the Vikings' key player off the bench. He averages 8.4 points, 2.9 rebounds per game and shoots .524 from the field and .444 from three-point range.

• Matched his season-high with 16 points (6-13 FG, 4-9 3-pt), four rebounds three assists and two steals in a win at Weber State (2/29).

 

INJURY ANGST

Portland State has lost four starters due to injury at some point this season.

• SR F Markus Golder is currently out with a leg injury. He has missed two games.
• SR G Matt Hauser missed seven games with an ankle sprain.
• SR C Sal Nuhu missed six games early this season with an ankle sprain, and a seventh due to illness.
• SR F Alonzo Walker missed three games with a foot injury.
• SR G Lamar Hamrick missed four games with thumb and back injuries.
• PSU has lost a total of 23 player games to injury, 19 to starters.
• 10 different players have started games with nine starting three or more games this season.
• The Vikings have used nine different starting lineups.