GAME NOTES - IDAHO @ PORTLAND STATE

Portland, OR - Last night was fun in Sacramento, but the most important game of the season is always the same: the next one.

After a convincing 80-67 road victory over Sac State in which they never trailed, the Idaho Vandals (7-9, 2-1 BSC) have a quick turnaround for Big Sky contest #4 of the season, taking on Portland State (9-6, 1-1 BSC) in their titular Viking Pavilion on Saturday, January 11, at 2:00 PM PST. Coming off of their first BSC victory of the season over the defending regular season champs, Eastern Washington, there is no shortage of hype from either side leading up to tip-off. 

LAST TIME OUT
The Vikings got the better of the Vandals in their two regular season meetings last year, first coming back from the holiday break to pick up a narrow 77-72 win in December in the ICCU Arena, and then wrapping up the regular season in March with a 72-57 victory over the black and gold in Portland. Due to different conference affiliations in their respective histories, Idaho and Portland State have yet to meet in the Big Sky Tournament.

FAMILIAR FACES
The Vandals and Vikings have had multiple common opponents this season, with similar outcomes between them. Portland State tipped off their season with a 92-100 loss to Washington State, then followed that up with a 131-84 drubbing of Evergreen State in their home opener. They wrapped up the week with an 85-76 win over San Diego and would also defeat Pacific 81-75 later in the non-con slate. Finally, the Vikings also have a common opponent from their conference opener, losing to the Vandals' last opponent Sac State 53-56.

SCOUTING THE VIKINGS

One of the most high-flying offenses Idaho will face to date, Portland State is currently averaging the third-most team PPG in the Big Sky with 80.1, a stat bolstered by their average scoring margin of 8.2, second-best in the conference. Fourth-year head coach Jase Coburn has led his team to consistent improvement in each year at the helm, with PSU sitting above .500 each of the last two years and being a top team in the league in multiple shooting, rebounding, and turnover categories.

Additionally, the Vikings have proven themselves to be one of the toughest draws in the Big Sky on their own court, finishing 11-2 at home last year and starting the season 5-1 to date.

You don't become a strong offensive team without having some of the top players in the conference, and senior Jaylin Henderson has emerged as one of those to start the year, averaging 14 PPG off of a 45.3% FG percentage and the fourth-most threes per game (2.1). PSU has earned much of their offensive efficiency by spreading the ball around, as evidenced by fellow senior Qiant Myers leading the Big Sky in APG (6.6) by a wide margin.

On top of this, the Vikings have controlled the boards to start the year, with both Isaiah Johnson (5.9) and Tre-Vaughn Minott (5.7) ranking in the top-8 in the conference in rebounds per-game. Minott, a physical presence at 6'9" and 245 LBs, is one of only two players in the league to average more than a full block (1.7) per game.

A largely veteran team featuring seven seniors out of ten upperclassmen, the Vikings bring an experienced, selfless squad to the court who are looking for a weekend sweep of their own.

The game will be broadcast on ESPN+, and more details can be found below

QUICK FACTS - IDAHO @ PORTLAND STATE
TIP OFF: Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 // 2:00 PM PST
VENUE: Viking Pavilion // Portland State University // Portland, OR
PSU'S LAST GAME: vs. Eastern Washington (W, 64-59)
LAST GAME vs. IDAHO: March 4, 2024 (PSU W, 72-57)

QUICK LINKS: LiveStats // ESPN+ // Radio (The Varsity Network)