Seattle U (0-0) at Portland State (0-1, 0-0 Big Sky)

Stot Center (Portland, OR)

Tuesday November 15, 2011 7:05 pm

RADIO: 710 ESPN Seattle

Series- Tied 7-7

Last Meeting- 1971-72

Scouting Portland State:

Thanks to injuries and eligibility questions the Vikings are short-handed to start the season. They went through a tremendous roster turnover with only three players returning who played minutes last year. They finished the season last year 14-16 overall and 5-11 in Big Sky play.  They are 0-1 to start the season this year, dropping a game on the road to Denver 69-61. They started the game 2-13 from the field and never recovered. They were also just 1-8 from 3, which is a striking stat given how dangerous they have been from 3 the last few years. They only went 8 deep in the rotation in Game 1 and their starters are poised to go long minutes again tonight.

The Ones to Watch:

Charles Odum- 6’1 205 SR g- 13 ppg 3 rbds  3 assts

Second Team Big Sky last year putting up 15 points and 3.5 rebounds a game. A good deal of the scoring load will fall on his shoulders. He is quick and loves to get to the rim.

Chehales Tapscott- 6’5 215 SR F- 18 ppg  12 rbds

Tapscott is a very active forward who plays bigger than his size. He nearly averaged a double-double last season (12ppg 8rbds) and he is off to a great start this year. He is very active around the basket on both ends of the floor.

Keys to the Game:

1-     Stop the 3- The Vikings went 1-8 in their first game from downtown and they struggled to get anything else going.

2-     Find the offense- SU struggled to shoot it last year, but new faces and new weapons should help the cause.

3-      Push the Pace-Test the depth of Portland State and use the new SU depth to advantage.

Numbers to Know:

- 2- The number of Washington State University transfers on the roster- Michael Harthun (he will start tonight) and Dre Winston (he will redshirt this season).

- 2-0- The record for Portland State against Seattle U last season.

- 4- The number of new starters in the lineup anticipated for tonight.

It all starts tonight- Game 1- tune in 5 minutes before tip on 710 ESPN Seattle.

 

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