Complete preseason notes in pdf

Portland State Basketball begins its full preseason practice schedule this weekend in preparation for the 2012-13 season. The Vikings will spend Friday through Sunday practicing in Newport, OR, then return home to resume regular practices at the Stott Center next week.
    
The Vikings are led by fourth-year Head Coach Tyler Geving whose team had a 17-15 finish last year, 10-6 and third place in the Big Sky Conference. Geving has two returning starters and eight returning letterwinners on his roster.
    
Portland State opens its schedule with an exhibition game on Nov. 2 against Concordia (OR). The game will be the second in a doubleheader with the Viking women at the Stott Center. The women's game begins at 6 p.m. with the men tipping off at 8:05 p.m.
    
The Vikings begin their counting preseason schedule on Nov. 9, hosting Pacific (OR). It will also be a doubleheader with the women and tip off at 8:05 p.m. That game will be the first 14 home games for Portland State. The Vikings also play 14 on the road in 2012-13.
    
Big Sky Conference play opens at home against Idaho State on Dec. 20. PSU follows on Dec. 22 by hosting Weber State. That begins an expanded 20-game Big Sky schedule. The league has added two new full-time members in North Dakota and Southern Utah in 2012-13.

A LOOK BACK
The Portland State Vikings went 17-15 in 2011-12, its best record since a 23-10 campaign in 2008-09. The Vikings 10-6 mark and third place finish was also a best since going 11-5 and placing second in 2008-09.
    
The Vikings were led by a pair of first team All-Big Sky Conference performers in Chehales Tapscott (14.1 ppg, 9.3 rpg) and Charles Odum (19.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg).
    
Senior guards Lateef McMullan (9.4 ppg, 2.9 apg) and Michael Harthun (8.6 ppg, 48 3-pt FG) are the only returning starters from that team. However, returning forward Renado Parker (9.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg, .568 FG%) and guard Gary Winston (6.5 ppg, 35 3-pt FG) were also primary contributors.

QUICK NOTES FOR 2012-13
THE COACH: Head Coach Tyler Geving begins his fourth season in 2012-13. The Vikings have improved each year he has been at the helm from 13-19 to 14-16 to 17-15. Most significant, the Vikings were 10-6 in the Big Sky Conference in 2011-12, placing third. PSU has twice reached the semifinals in the Big Sky Tournament under Geving (2010 and 2012)... in 2011-12, Geving set personal marks for most wins (17), most Big Sky wins (10), best Big Sky finish (3rd) and best home winning percentage (.769)... Geving spent four seasons as an assistant at PSU before being named Head Coach... the fourth-year Head Coach is assisted by Andy McClouskey (3rd year, Oregon State, 1982), Eric Harper (8th year, Central Washington, 1995) and Anthony Owens (4th year, Great Falls, 2006). Former Viking player Mickey Polis is the Director of Operations (4th year, Portland State, 2009).

BALANCED ATTACK: Portland State does not have a freshman on the roster in 2012-13. But, the Vikings do have a balanced roster with five sophomores, five juniors and five seniors.

THE BROOM: Every Big Sky Conference season series that Portland State played in during the 2011-12 season resulted in a sweep. PSU swept five opponents, going 2-0 against Eastern Washington, Idaho State, Northern Colorado, Northern Arizona and Sacramento State. PSU was swept by Weber State, Montana and Montana State. The Vikings went on to beat Montana State in a Big Sky Tournament quarterfinal, then lost to Weber State in the Big Sky semifinal.

WINNING WAY: Portland State is six games over .500 all-time against current members of the Big Sky Conference (156-151). Here are the all-time records: PSU has winning records vs. Idaho State (27-15), Northern Arizona (21-17), Northern Colorado (13-3), Sacramento State (24-10), Eastern Washington (20-18) and Southern Utah (1-0). PSU has losing all-time records against Montana (20-28), Montana State (19-28), Weber State (11-30) and North Dakota (0-2)... The same is true in Big Sky games: PSU is 132-130 all-time in Big Sky Conference games against current Big Sky schools. PSU has winning records against Idaho State (23-11), Northern Arizona (19-16), Northern Colorado (9-3) and Sacramento State (23-9). PSU has losing records against Montana (11-21), Montana State (16-20), Weber State (11-26) and Cal State Northridge (no longer a BSC member, 3-7). PSU and Eastern Washington are tied (17-17).

SHOOT 'EM UP: For the first time in five years, the Vikings did NOT lead the Big Sky Conference in scoring in 2011-12. However, at 76.0 points per game, they were a close second to Weber State (77.4) and scored more points than 2010-11 (72.3). PSU did lead the Big Sky in field goal percentage (.483), which was the team's best mark in seven years... the Vikings ranked 13th in the nation in field goal percentage and 26th in scoring.

SHOOTING IS EVERYTHING FOR THIS TEAM: The Vikings were 16-1 when shooting a higher percentage than their opponents in 2011-12, 1-13 when opponents outshoot them.

THEY'RE GONE NOW: Portland State lost three starters to graduation from 2011-12: Charles Odum, Chehales Tapscott and Nate Lozeau. All three were significant contributors. Odum averaged 19.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists and shot .529 from the field and .833 at the line. Tapscott averaged 14.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, shot .526 from the field, had 43 blocked shots and 56 steals. Lozeau averaged 7.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and shot .568 from the field. Tapscott and Odum were both first team All-Big Sky Conference honorees.

2012-13 VIKING BASKETBALL SEASON PREVIEW
The 2012-13 version of the Portland State basketball team wants to replicate the progress of its predecessor, but knows it will have to come through different methods.
    
The Vikings of 2011-12 improved by three games overall to 17-15, and five games in Big Sky Conference play, to 10-6 and third place. They were guided by the superstar efforts of Charles Odum and Chehales Tapscott - both first team All-Big Sky Conference performers. But those two have graduated, and rather than the big numbers they produced, the 2012-13 Vikings are going to have to share the wealth among a number of players and continue their defensive improvement.
    
Fourth-year Head Coach Tyler Geving will have to get those results for PSU to take another step forward. And despite the loss of Odum, Tapscott and starting center Nate Lozeau, Geving has the talent to do so.
    
Rather than relying on two players to get 20 points every night, Geving will look forward to five or six players scoring 10-15 points each on a given night.
    
“Everybody's production is going to go up a little. I would think Lateef McMullan, Gary Winston and Michael Harthun will have a lot more production than they did last year,” said Geving. “Renado Parker should have a lot more as well. Just from the guys returning, they will make up for the loss of Charles and Chehales. It's not just one guy, it is three of four of them doing their part to make up for it.”

Adding in a solid group of junior college transfers will help as well with the size of 6-8, 275-pound Lamont Prosser, 6-8 Aaron Moore, and athletic 6-4 wingman Marcus Hall.
    
“We are more balanced this year,” said Geving. “I feel like we can go eight or nine deep. All of them can contribute and all are capable of getting double figures. From that standpoint hopefully we are a little harder to prepare for. When you have good balance like that you can spread the wealth a little bit.”
    
One area that Geving truly believes the Vikings will improve is with defense. Two years ago, PSU was a poor defensive team. Last season, the Vikings made great improvement in that area. Geving sees another step taken in 2012-13 with the addition of Hall and redshirt sophomore Dre Winston to the returners.
    
“We have the same philosophy and style of play and we have a few more options when we run an offensive set,” said Geving. “If anything, there is no reason we can't take a big step forward defensively. I think we did last year, we kind of jumped up to where we finished in the middle of the (league defensive statistics). We need to be one of the top two or three teams defensively this year.
    
“On the perimeter we have six or seven guys I feel comfortable putting in the game. They can pressure guys and get after people a little bit more. We can be more up-tempo and more aggressive on the defensive end. The good thing is, if we do get beat we've got some big guys back there who can cover you.
    
“Ideally, I want our team to be aggressive on the defensive end, get out and pressure people and make it hard for other teams to get into their sets. Then make the teams pay on our end with the up-tempo offense we have and get the game into the high 70s (at least).”

RETURNING PLAYERS
In 2012-13 Portland State will feature four returning players who had significant roles last season. SR G Lateef McMullan started every game for the Vikings last year and got better as the season progressed. He averaged 9.4 points and led the Vikings with 91 assists. PSU's success will rely heavily on McMullan's ability to get everyone involved offensively.
    
“Lateef had some good games last year. I want to see his assist-to-turnover ratio improve. His turnovers weren't bad, but assist-wise he should average between five and six per game and be more of playmaker.”
    
The Vikings' top returning post player is the seemingly unstoppable SR F Renado Parker. With inside strength and size reminiscent of Charles Barkley, Parker gets more done with a 6-5 frame than most any player you will find. He averaged 9.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and shot .568 from the field without starting a game last year. His offensive output should increase significantly in a starting role this season.
    
“Renado is a warrior inside. With his size and height, what he gets accomplished in the paint is phenomenal. I think he is capable of giving us a double-double on a consistent basis,” said Geving.
    
PSU's other returning starter is smooth-shooting SR G Michael Harthun. The 6-3 guard led the Vikings with 47 three-pointers in 2011-12 and was one of the top shooters in the league with a .425 mark from distance. Harthun averaged 8.6 points, but expects to see that number go up with more opportunities in the coming year.
    
“We need Mike to make jump shots,” said Geving. “He needs to be a shooter and not hesitate.”
    
SO G Gary Winston was one of the top freshmen in the Big Sky Conference last season, averaging 6.5 points, 1.8 assists and shooting .417 from three-point range. Winston is a combo guard who can direct the floor, but may be more valuable as a spot-up shooter.
    
Four other letterwinners return that saw limited action last season.
    
SR F Martin Whitmore went into the season expected to be a key perimeter shooter for the Vikings. But an elbow injury in the preseason exhibition game cost him the first four weeks of the season. Whitmore never got his touch back and averaged only 2.3 points in 20 games. Expect him to have a much better season in 2012-13 as his size (6-5) allows him to get a lot of open looks. He also offers value as a rangy perimeter defender.
    
SR F Michael Harvey played in 23 games in 2011-12, averaging 1.3 points and 1.1 rebounds. He has the athleticism to see playing time increase as well.
    
One of the Vikings' most intriguing players is SO C Brandon Cataldo. After missing almost two full years with a leg injury, Cataldo finally got back on the court as a redshirt freshman last year. At 6-10, he offers the size that Portland State needs inside. He also has good shooting, passing and rebounding skills. He must continue to improve his conditioning if he wants to better his 1.7 points and 1.6 rebounds per game.
    
“He is going to play a lot more this year than last year and it will be a learning process early on,” said Geving. “But if he will keep developing, I truly believe his junior and senior year he has a chance to be a great player in this league.
    
A guard trying to break through for more playing time is SO Joel King. A walk-on, King saw action in five games in 2011-12.
    
Redshirt SO G Dre Winston may move into an important role this year. Winston, who played his freshman season at Washington State, is a talented point guard likely to backup McMullan.
    
“Andre could be one of the best defensive players in the league. He is lightning quick,” said Geving.

NEWCOMERS
Geving supplemented his roster with four signings for 2012-13. Key to the upgraded roster are JR C Lamont Prosser, JR F Aaron Moore and JR G Marcus Hall. JR G Tim Douglas, a transfer from the University of Portland, will redshirt in 2012-13 due to NCAA transfer rules.
    
Prosser, an early signee with Portland State last fall, should provide the big body inside that the Vikings need. The 6-8 center was a first team All-Region IX selection at Sheridan (WY) JC last year.
    
“Lamont is a really good inside scorer with his back to the basket. He is tough and I think his good junior college career will translate well into our league,” said Geving.
    
Moore is an athletic forward who, at 6-8, brings good size and depth to either the 3 or 4 spot. He was first team All-Foothill Conference at San Bernardino Valley JC averaging 14.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game.
    
“Aaron is a very talented offensive player and a good rebounder. We need him to be a great rebounder after losing (league-leader) Chehales Tapscott,” said Geving.
    
Hall provides a multi-talented swingman to the mix - a player that Geving likened to former Viking star Deonte Huff. At 6-4, Hall can play the 2 or the 3. He was named the Northern California Player of the Year, the co-MVP of the Central Valley Conference and the CVC Defensive Player of the Year in 2011-12. Hall led Fresno CC to a 33-3 record and the California Community College Athletic Association State Championship.
    
“Marcus is a great defender, rebounder and good athlete,” Geving said. “He is the type of guy you can put on the other team's top player. He will bring good energy and effort on the defensive end.”

THE SCHEDULE
The Vikings' 2012-13 schedule features an expanded 20-game Big Sky Conference slate and a Stott Center visit by the Oregon State Beavers. In all, the Vikings will have 14 home games and 14 road games prior to the Big Sky Conference Tournament.
    
The matchup with OSU highlights the preseason for the Vikings. PSU will host the Beavers for the first time ever at the Stott Center on Dec. 12. The last time Oregon State came to Portland to play the Vikings was Dec. 12, 2001 with that game taking place at the Rose Garden. Two other appearances in Portland took place at Memorial Coliseum in 1976 and 1980.
    
In addition to the game with Oregon State, the Vikings have a formidable preseason slate. After an opening home game against Pacific (OR) on Nov. 9, the Vikings will travel to Oregon (Nov. 12), Portland (Nov. 21), Oklahoma State (Nov. 25) and Loyola Marymount (Dec. 1) leading into the OSU game.
    
PSU also hosts George Fox on Dec. 15 and an ESPN Bracketbuster game on Feb. 23 against an opponent to be determined.
    
Portland State looks forward to 10 Big Sky Conference home games as the league has expanded to 11 full-time members. Southern Utah and North Dakota have been added for 2012-13 and the result is the start of conference play prior to Christmas.
    
The Vikings open with Idaho State on Dec. 20, then Weber State on Dec. 22 at the Stott Center. Getting off to a good start will be important as PSU goes on the road for six of its next eight conference games.
    
PSU plays at Montana State (Jan. 3) and Big Sky defending champion Montana (Jan. 5) on its first league road trip. The Vikings come home for two against Sacramento State (Jan. 10) and Northern Arizona (Jan. 12), then go on the road for four more, including Northern Colorado (Jan. 17), first-ever league matchups with North Dakota (Jan. 19) and Southern Utah (Jan. 24) then a Jan. 28 Dam Cup rivalry game at Eastern Washington.
    
The Vikings should be able to finish the season strong as they play seven of nine games at home between Jan. 31 and Mar. 2. PSU hosts Montana on Jan. 31, then Montana State (Feb. 2). After a trip to Northern Arizona (Feb. 7) and Sacramento State (Feb. 9), the Vikings come home for five straight.
    
Portland State sandwiches an ESPN Bracketbuster game (Feb. 23) between Southern Utah (Feb. 14), Eastern Washington (Feb. 18) and North Dakota (Feb. 28), Northern Colorado (Mar. 2).
    
The regular season wraps up with road games at Weber State (Mar. 7) and Idaho State (Mar. 9).
    
In 2013, the Big Sky Conference Tournament reverts to its previous format with all post-season games at the home of the regular season champion. Seven of the league's 11 teams will get into the Big Sky Tournament rather than the previous six of nine. The league champion will have a first round bye while the other six teams will meet on Mar. 14 (2 vs. 7, 3 vs. 6, 4 vs. 5). The semifinals will pit the host against the lowest remaining seed, with the other two remaining teams meeting on Mar. 15. The Big Sky Conference Championship will take place on Mar. 16 and be televised on ESPN2.
    
“Montana and Weber State are the top two teams from last year and bring back a lot of good players,” said Geving. “Those two teams automatically you stick at the top again. I think Northern Colorado is another team that will be in the hunt.
    
“The expanded conference makes a little bit more of a challenge (travel-wise). There are two more places where, if you can get a win on the road, it will be a real good win.”

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT PORTLAND STATE AND VIKING BASKETBALL
Portland State University, located in Portland, is the largest school in the state of Oregon with 29,818 students. PSU was founded in 1946 as Vanport College - a two-year institution.
    
Athletically, Portland State began as a junior college in 1946-47, but competed in the Oregon Collegiate Conference (NAIA) beginning in 1948-49 to 1964-65. PSU became a four-year institution - Portland State College - in 1955. The Vikings won five OCC titles and competed in the NAIA playoffs twice.
    
Portland State joined the NCAA in 1965-66. The Vikings reached the College Division playoffs in 1966-67. College Division was the forerunner to Division II. Portland State was given university status in 1969.
    
During the 1970s, Portland State competed as a Division I program. The Vikings' biggest star was Freeman Williams, who still ranks as the second all-time leading scorer in college basketball history behind Pete Maravich. Williams, a Division I All-American in 1978, scored 3,249 points in his career.
    
The university dropped the men's basketball program in 1981 for budgetary reasons. It remained dormant until 1996-97 when basketball was reinstated and Portland State joined the Big Sky Conference. PSU has had seven winning seasons in its 13 years as a member, including four of the last five.
    
Portland State won the Big Sky Conference regular season title in 2004-05 (19-9, 11-3), but lost in the Big Sky Tournament semifinals, missing a chance for the NCAA Tournament.
    
In 2007-08, the Vikings won the Big Sky Conference regular season and tournament titles going 23-10, 14-2 in the Big Sky Conference. The resulting NCAA berth was the first at the Division I level for the Viking program. The Vikings lost to eventual national champion Kansas, but concluded the most successful season in school history.
    
In 2008-09, PSU once again won 23 games - matching the school record - and reached a second straight NCAA Tournament after winning the Big Sky Conference Tournament for the second year in a row.
    
With 78 wins from 2007-10, PSU had its most successful era in school history.