FIVE QUESTIONS: An Exchange with the Vikings Blog

Early in the season -- Ian Ruder, host of the Portland Oregonian’s Vikings Blog -- asked me to exchange five questions and answers with him as a preview to the Portland State vs. Montana men's basketball game. He sent me five questions. Those questions and my answers are posted on Ruder's Vikings Blog.

In turn, I asked Ian six questions about the Portland State Vikings, a talented and experienced team currently in third place in the Big Sky at 4-2, and solidly in the hunt for the conference crown.

My questons and Ian’s answers are posted below. As always, reader comments are welcome.

1. Grizzly Journal -- With the Vikings solidly in the hunt for the Big Sky Crown, which single player has contributed most to the team's 4-2 record, and how does he compare against others at his position in the conference? Is he an mvp candidate?
RUDER: Balance has been the big word for the Vikings this year. Deonte Huff and Jeremiah Dominguez are both performing at all-conference levels and play the most minutes on the team, but to this point I don't think either is an MVP candidate. That said Huff has to be among the most well-rounded three's in the league, even if he is undersized. Coach Ken Bone has shown that he has confidence in 12 of the 13 players on the roster and, with the exception of the injured Dupree Lucas, who may not play, I wouldn't be surprised to see him play them all.

2. Grizzly Journal -- Before the season tipped off, Portland State Coach Ken Bone said Viking senior post  Scott Morrison had to have an mvp-quality year, both for his and the teams' success. Is Morrison on pace to fulfill his coach's expectations? How? If not, who?
RUDER: The jury is still out. In PSU's last two games and in this week's practices, Morrison has been aggressive on both sides of the ball and has keyed the team's success. Prior to that he went through a stretch where he was ineffective and saw his playing time reduced. Morrison's sometimes passive play obviously frustrates Bone and there seems to be a little tension between the two. That Bone really likes the athletic game of sophomore forward/center Julius Thomas further complicates the situation. The one thing that is for sure is that when Morrison plays well, he adds a new dimension to PSU's team.

3. Grizzly Journal -- What kind of team presents matchup problems for the Vikings? With what style (pace, etc.) of play must the Vikings succeed in order to win?
RUDER: Honestly, I think that PSU's biggest problem comes from within. The Vikings have been inconsistent in stretches this year, not playing to their capability and letting less talented teams beat them (see EWU). When this team is clicking on all cylinders, they will be tough for any BSC team. As to pacing, the Viks have the players to run and the players to execute a halfcourt offense. Can they do it consistently? That is the question.

4. Grizzly Journal -- Give us a brief scouting report on the Grizzlies from the Vikings' perspective. What do the Viks need to accomplish in order to win?
RUDER: I would think the Vikings would want to be the aggressors Thursday to take advantage of the team's superior depth and athleticism. PSU has a surplus of big bodies to throw at Hasquet, Strait and Qvale and I think Murray and Huff (and freshman Justynn Hammond) will be tough matchups on the perimeter. Tinkle's reliance on the bigs should play to PSU's strengths, whether they can execute will be the question. Opposing teams have had success shooting over the diminuitive Dominguez (5-foot-6) and I would think Cameron Rundles and Matt Martin would be more valuable against him than Ceylon.

5. Grizzly Journal -- Has any single player been an unexpected VP for the Vikings this year? How, specfically, has he strengthened the team?
RUDER: Junior college guard Andre Murray has to be the big surprise. The 6-2 junior has pogo sticks for legs and a big body that make him surprisingly effective on the glass (5.7 rpg in conference) and allow him to do some impressive things going to the basket (12.7 ppg in conference). His continuing emergence has made the loss of last year's Newcomer of the Year, Dupree Lucas, much more manageable. Transfer point guard Jeremiah Dominguez has also been solid.

6. Grizzly Journal -- What kind of facility is Stott Center? Does it present difficulties for visiting teams? Is PSU's fan support a major factor in the Vikings’ home-court success?
RUDER: An anecdote: Thursday's game will be the first televised from the Stott Center in a long time and whereas you might think administrators are pumped, I'm pretty sure they are biting their nails that people will see the facility and lose respect for PSU. It is that bad. A remodel four or five years back made it much nicer, but it still has to be near the top of the list of worst facilities in D-1. Add in the normally sparse attendance, and well there you go. Attendance has improved in the last three years though and the Montana game is usually the best attended of the year.