EASTERN WASHINGTON EAGLES (6-6, 0-1) at PORTLAND STATE VIKINGS (3-7, 1-1)

Thursday, December 30, 2021, 7 p.m. • Viking Pavilion (3,094), Portland, OR
Live Stream: ESPN+ • 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

Big Sky Conference play resumes this week as the Portland State Vikings host a pair of home games against league foes at Viking Pavilion. PSU takes on Eastern Washington on Thursday night, then Idaho on New Year's Day. Both games tip off at 7 p.m. and air on ESPN+.
     
The Vikings got an early start to Big Sky play on the first weekend of December, going 1-1 in a pair of road games. That has them tied for fourth place in conference as play re-starts.
     
Portland State has dropped four straight games since a Dec. 2 win over Idaho State. That leaves the Vikings at 3-7 overall.
     
However, beginning with the Eastern Washington game, the Vikings play six of the next eight league games at home. That should give them an opportunity to turn their fortunes and get into a good position in the league standings. PSU has played only one game at home since Nov. 23.
     
Through 10 games, the Vikings have been a talented defensive group, leading the Big Sky in steals (9.6), turnovers forced (16.5) and field percentage defense (.407), and rank second in points allowed (67.5). To get off their losing streak, the Vikings will need to improve on the .371 field goal shooting and 63.8 points per game over the four-game losing streak.
     
Going into this week's games, SR F James Jean-Marie (12.9 ppg) and JR G Marlon Ruffin (12.8 ppg) have been PSU's top offensive threats. Jean-Marie also averages 9.8 rebounds to rank second in the Big Sky. Other offensive highlights include FR G Paris Dawson's stellar free throw shooting (28-31, .903) and the shooting of JR G Ian Burke (.581 FG%, .529 3-pt FG%).
     
Eastern Washington (6-6, 0-1) was an NCAA Tournament team last year after winning the Big Sky Tournament title. The Eagles come off a 16-8 season, including 12-3 in Big Sky play. However, they have had a massive turnover as former Head Coach Shantay Legans left to coach at University of Portland and numerous players also departed through the NCAA Portal. Still, the Eagles have started well under new coach David Riley. The Eagles have a 6-5 non-conference record with one conference loss to Southern Utah. They are 4-4 in road games.
     
PSU and EWU have one common opponent. The Eagles beat CSUN on the road, 67-64 in overtime, on Nov. 19. The Vikings lost to the Matadors, 69-66 on the road, on Dec. 18.
     
Portland State and Eastern Washington did not meet last year as the games were canceled due to COVID-related issues.
 

COMING UP

Portland State hosts Idaho on Saturday at Viking Pavilion in a 7 p.m. start. Next week includes a single game at Southern Utah on Thursday, Jan. 6. All Big Sky Conference games can be seen on ESPN+.
 

PORTLAND STATE AND THE BIG SKY CONFERENCE

Portland State embarks on its 26th campaign in the Big Sky Conference this week. PSU joined the league in 1996-97, reinstating a once-dormant (for 15 seasons) basketball program.
    
The Vikings have won Big Sky Conference regular season titles in 2004-05 and 2007-08. They won Big Sky Tournament titles in 2007-08 and 2008-09, advancing to the NCAA Tournament each season. Since then, PSU's best finish in the Big Sky has been third place.
    
After two games this season, Portland State is 203-211 all-time in Big Sky Conference games, 215-226 including Big Sky Tournament games. PSU is 140-72 in home games, 69-142 in road games and 6-12 in neutral-site games.
    
First-year Head Coach Jase Coburn, hired last April, is PSU's seventh Head Coach in the Big Sky era and 14th all-time in its 61st competitive season.
    
The Vikings were picked to place seventh in the Big Sky Conference in the preseason coaches poll, eighth in the preseason media poll.
 

GAME NOTES: PORTLAND STATE vs. EASTERN WASHINGTON

• ALL-TIME SERIES: The teams did not meet last season as the games were canceled due to COVID-related issues. An extremely close series over the years, it is now tied 27-27 all-time... Eastern Washington leads the Big Sky Conference series, 26-24... Portland State leads 15-8 in Big Sky games played in Portland... the Eagles swept the season series in 2019-20... they have won three in a row and six of the last eight meetings.
• LAST SEASON: Dec. 31 and Jan. 2 at Viking Pavilion: Games canceled.
• COACHES: Vikings Coach Jase Coburn (Arizona State, 2006) is in his first season as Head Coach. He has spent eight previous seasons on the Park Blocks as an Assistant and Associate Head Coach... David Riley (Whitworth, 2011) is in his first year as head coach at Eastern Washington but his 11th season in the program.

 

SCOUTING THE EAGLES

• Eastern Washington University is located in Cheney. The Eagles' program has won four Big Sky Conference Championships and made three appearances in the NCAA Tournament. Eastern won the Big Sky regular season in 2019-20 and the Big Sky Tournament in 2020-21.
• Last season, Eastern Washington was 16-8 overall, 12-3 and tied for second in the Big Sky Conference. Five players return from that team and there are 13 newcomers.
• The Eagles average 76.8 points per game and allow 73.8 points. They also average a Big Sky-best 16.5 assists per game.
• Freshman forward Steele Venters leads five Eagles who are scoring in double figures this season. He averages 17.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. Venters shoots .492 from the field, .463 from three-point range and .857 at the line. He is third in the Big Sky in scoring, second in three-point percentage and three-pointers made.
• San Francisco State transfer forward Linton Acliese averages 14.3 points and a team-best 6.8 rebounds.
• Another transfer, senior guard Rylan Bergerson, averages 12.9 points and a team-best 4.2 assists.

 

WHO IS HOT

• FR G Paris Dawson was 5-5 at the free throw line at Utah State. He is 28-31 for the season, a .903 mark. he ranks second in the Big Sky Conference.
• Despite not starting for the first time this season, JR G Marlon Ruffin posted a Portland State season-high 26 points (10-15 FG, 2-3 3-pt, 4-4 FT) and five rebounds in 25 minutes at CSUN... he scored 10 points at Utah State to average 18.0 off the bench in two games... Ruffin averages 12.8 points for the season.
• JR G Ian Burke is currently shooting .581 from the field and .529 from three-point range. Burke scored a season-high 10 points (3-4 FG, 2-3 3-pt, 2-2 FT) with five rebounds and three steals at CSUN.
• SR F James Jean-Marie has six double-doubles this season. He ranks second in the Big Sky with 9.8 rebounds per game and is 20th in the nation. He leads the Big Sky in offensive rebounds per game (4.3) and ranks third in the nation.
• DEFENSE TRAVELS: Head Coach Jase Coburn likes to say, "defense travels" meaning regardless of where you play, or how much you score, you can always have a consistent defensive effort. The Vikings have had that in 2021-22, leading the Big Sky Conference steals (9.6), turnovers forced (16.5), offensive rebounds (13.6), field goal percentage defense (.407) and blocked shots (3.6). They rank second in points allowed (67.5)... the Vikings are currently 19th in the nation in offensive rebounds and 26th in the nation in steals per game.

 

ON THE REBOUND

SR F James Jean-Marie is averaging 9.8 rebounds per game to rank second in the Big Sky. The last Viking to average double figures in rebounds was Bob Sisul in 1978-79 (10.4). The highest rebounding average of PSU's Big Sky Conference era (1996-present) was 9.4 by Seamus Boxley in 2003-04.
 
Best Viking Rebounding Averages, Big Sky Era (1996-present)
1. James Jean-Marie (2021-22), 9.8
2. Seamus Boxley (2003-04), 9.4
t3. Chehalis Tapscott (2011-12), 9.3
t3. Cameron Forte (2015-16), 9.3
t5. Chehalis Tapscott (2010-11), 8.1
t5. Seamus Boxley (2004-05), 8.1
 
Most Double-Doubles, Big Sky Era (1996-present)
1. Chehales Tapscott (2012-13), 13
2. Cameron Forte (2015-16), 12
3. Seamus Boxley (2003-04), 11
4. Seamus Boxley (2004-05), 10
5. Jamie Jones (2009-10), 8
t6. Aaron Moore (2012-13), 7
t6. Brandon Hollins (2017-18), 7
t8. James Jean Marie (2021-22), 6 (tied with six others)
 

DOUBLE TROUBLE

SR F James Jean-Marie has been double trouble for opponents as his powerful inside game is complemented by a soft outside shooting touch, not to mention his dominant board work (triple trouble?).

• Jean-Marie has six double-doubles this season, eight double-figure scoring games and seven double-figure rebounding games. He averages 12.9 points and 9.8 rebounds.
• Jean-Marie has led the team in scoring three times and rebounding in every game.
• His four straight double-doubles to open the season were the most consecutive by a Viking in the Big Sky Conference era (26 seasons).
• Went for a season-high 17 points (7-17 FG, 3-4 FT) and 10 rebounds against Portland (11/23).
• Posted 16 points (3-4 FG, 1-1 3-pt FG, 9-12 FT) with 10 rebounds and a block in the win at Idaho State (12/2).
• Grabbed a season-high 15 rebounds in the loss at Iowa (11/26).

 

RESPECT THE SPECS

JR G Marlon Ruffin has found his way to Portland State with a unique look. Ruffin is one of the few collegiate players who wears glasses on the court... and his specs have style.

• Ruffin is averaging 12.8 points per game and 3.7 rebounds. He shoots .781 at the free throw line.
• Has led the team in scoring three times, has eight double-figure scoring games and one 20-point game.
• Went for 18 points (6-9 FG, 5-6 FT) in 18 minutes against Evergreen State (11/12).
• Had 18 points (7-14 FG, 3-4 FT), four rebounds and two steals at Iowa (11/26).
• Posted a season-high 26 points (10-15 FG, 2-3 3-pt, 4-4 FT) and grabbed five rebounds at CSUN (12/18).

 

MCIII

Transfer JR G Michael Carter III is becoming a stat sheet filler. He averages 8.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game. Carter averaged 14.6 points per game last year at Long Beach State.

• Carter ranks third on the team in scoring and second in assists.
• He has led the team in scoring twice and assists six times.
• Posted 14 points (5-12 FG, 2-4 3-pt, 2-2 FT) with three rebounds and three assists at Weber State (12/4).
• Racked up a season-high 20 points (5-10 FG, 2-3 3-pt, 8-12 FT) with three rebounds, three assists and two steals against Cal Poly (12/11).

 

EFFICIENCY, THY NAME IS IAN BURKE

JR G Ian Burke continues to be a reliable offensive performer on the Viking team as he is one of the team's top shooters and ball-handlers.

• In 175 minutes of playing time this season he has only five turnovers. That continues a trend as Burke has just 29 total turnovers in 63 career games at PSU. He made only nine in 22 games last season.
• He is shooting .581 from the field and .529 from three-point range this season.
• Burke is averaging 5.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game.
• Logged a season-high 10 points (3-4 FG, 2-3 3-pt, 2-2 FT) with five rebounds and three steals at CSUN (12/18).

 

SHOOTING STAR

SR F Khalid Thomas is the Vikings' top returning scorer (11.2) and rebounder (5.0) and tied for the team-lead in three-pointers last season (32).

• Thomas averages 8.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game to rank third in the Big Sky.
• Scored a team-high 16 points (6-13 FG, 4-9 3-pt) at Oregon State (11/9).
• Had 11 points and a career-high nine rebounds at Iowa (11/26).
• Matched his career-high with nine rebounds at Weber State (12/4).

 

UP WITH ALLEY

SR G Ezekiel Alley has moved into the starting lineup the past two games. A transfer from Northwest Nazarene, he has made a smooth transition from Division II to Division I.

• Alley averages 6.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 22 minutes per game.
• Alley ranks ninth in the Big Sky in assists and has led the Vikings in assists seven times.
• Had a season-high seven assists to go with eight points (4-5) against George Fox (11/17).

 

BIG GAMES OFF THE BENCH

• JR F Gio Nelson scored a career-high 13 points (5-6 FG, 3-3 3-pt) with five rebounds in a win over Evergreen State (11/12).
• FR G Paris Dawson scored 19 points (6-8 FG, 1-2 3-pt, 6-6 FT) in 21 minutes in the win over George Fox (11/17).
• SR G Ezekiel Alley made a season-best seven assists to go with eight points (4-5 FG) in the win over George Fox (11/17).
• JR G Ian Burke had seven points (2-4 FG, 1-2 3-pt, 2-2 FT), five assists, four rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots in only 14 minutes against George Fox (11/17).
• SR G Ezekiel Alley scored 11 points (5-9 FG, 1-3 3-pt) with three assists and two rebounds in 20 minutes against Portland (11/23).
• SR G Ezekiel Alley had 10 points (5-12 FG), two rebounds and three assists in 22 minutes at Weber State (12/4).
• JR G Marlon Ruffin scored 26 points (10-15 FG, 2-3 3-pt, 4-4 FT) with five rebounds in 25 minutes at CSUN (12/18).
• JR G Ian Burke scored 10 points (3-4 FG, 2-3 3-pt, 2-2 FT) with five rebounds and three steals at CSUN (12/18).
• FR G Paris Dawson had 11 points (2-5 3-pt, 5-5 FT) and four rebounds in 20 minutes at Utah State (12/21).