Even following the Vikings’ 85-69 defeat to California State Fullerton Saturday that halted their winning streak at nine games, securing the right to host the Big Sky Tournament is a mere formality for Portland State. The Vikings still own a two-and-a-half game lead over Northern Arizona and Weber State in the Big Sky standings with three conference games remaining on the schedule. While the loss to the Titans may have slightly diminished the Vikings’ momentum by stopping the team’s winning streak before it ever reached double figures, the loss does no damage to Portland State’s bid to finish the season atop the Big Sky. Away matchups against Montana and Montana State are scheduled for the Vikings this week, while Portland State will finish up the regular season at home against Eastern Washington March 4. In order to clinch the right to host the Big Sky Tournament, the Vikings need to win only one of these remaining games or hope that Weber State comes up short in one of its final two games. “Right now there is a 99-percent chance of hosting the Big Sky Tournament,” said athletic director Torre Chisholm. “Hosting the tournament will do a lot for recognition.” Chisholm said he held discussions with his colleagues around the Portland State Athletic Department office concerning the Vikings probability of competing in the tournament, and even hosting it, prior to the beginning of the season back in November. The athletic director felt so confidently about Portland State hosting the Big Sky Tournament he began searching for available dates at the Rose Garden months ago. Chisholm also had faith in the women’s basketball team, making arrangements around the same time to host the women’s Big Sky Tournament. Unlike the vast majority of Big Sky schools, Portland State will be unable to host the Big Sky Tournament inside the confines of its home gym at the Peter W. Stott Center. Chisholm said his understanding is that this was a stipulation Portland State was forced to agree to before gaining entrance into the Big Sky Conference in 1996. Chisholm said he suspects the Stott Center is an unsuitable site to host the tournament because of its size restrictions, as it only sits 1,500 fans, and the prospects of poor broadcast quality due to the gym’s configuration. “It’s not the same home-court advantage,” Chisholm said of playing at the Rose Garden. “We have a great home-court advantage that we are giving up. But playing at the Rose Garden adds a level of panache to the event.” That panache Chisholm mentions will need to extend quite far to meet his expectations for the tournament, that is if the Vikings secure the right to host the post-season competition. Based on the attendance figures from Portland State hosting the Big Sky Tournament in 2005, Chisholm expects to draw at least 4,000 fans per night and hopes to eclipse 5,000 Viking fans in the Rose Garden for each night of action. And if Chisholm’s plans to underwrite student tickets come to fruition, 500 Portland State students will attend the tournament cost free each night. While Portland State has seen a recent spike in attendance, specifically with the men’s basketball game selling out against Weber State on Feb. 16, Chisholm said drawing fans is still an issue-and one he does not completely understand. “I’ve been very disappointed with our fans,” Chisholm said. “We’ve been playing high-level basketball. And everyday we talk around the office about what we need to do in marketing, but, at some point, they need to support their team.” If the Vikings squeak out one more victory to earn the right to host the Big Sky Tournament and defend their home floor with a conference title, Chisholm will be one step closer to achieving an aspiration for Portland State athletics. “One of my goals is to set a pattern of participating in the NCAA’s at least once every four years,” Chisholm said. “The Big Sky (championship) is just a step to where we want to be. The real recognition will come if we go to the NCAA Tournament.”
Close to playing host
Even following the Vikings’ 85-69 defeat to California State Fullerton Saturday that halted their winning streak at nine games, securing the right to host the Big Sky Tournament is a mere formality for Portland State.
The Vikings still own a two-and-a-half game lead over Northern Arizona and Weber State in the Big Sky standings with three conference games remaining on the schedule. While the loss to the Titans may have slightly diminished the Vikings’ momentum by stopping the team’s winning streak before it ever reached double figures, the loss does no damage to Portland State’s bid to finish the season atop the Big Sky.
Away matchups against Montana and Montana State are scheduled for the Vikings this week, while Portland State will finish up the regular season at home against Eastern Washington March 4. In order to clinch the right to host the Big Sky Tournament, the Vikings need to win only one of these remaining games or hope that Weber State comes up short in one of its final two games.
“Right now there is a 99-percent chance of hosting the Big Sky Tournament,” said athletic director Torre Chisholm. “Hosting the tournament will do a lot for recognition.”
Chisholm said he held discussions with his colleagues around the Portland State Athletic Department office concerning the Vikings probability of competing in the tournament, and even hosting it, prior to the beginning of the season back in November.
The athletic director felt so confidently about Portland State hosting the Big Sky Tournament he began searching for available dates at the Rose Garden months ago. Chisholm also had faith in the women’s basketball team, making arrangements around the same time to host the women’s Big Sky Tournament.
Unlike the vast majority of Big Sky schools, Portland State will be unable to host the Big Sky Tournament inside the confines of its home gym at the Peter W. Stott Center. Chisholm said his understanding is that this was a stipulation Portland State was forced to agree to before gaining entrance into the Big Sky Conference in 1996.
Chisholm said he suspects the Stott Center is an unsuitable site to host the tournament because of its size restrictions, as it only sits 1,500 fans, and the prospects of poor broadcast quality due to the gym’s configuration.
“It’s not the same home-court advantage,” Chisholm said of playing at the Rose Garden. “We have a great home-court advantage that we are giving up. But playing at the Rose Garden adds a level of panache to the event.”
That panache Chisholm mentions will need to extend quite far to meet his expectations for the tournament, that is if the Vikings secure the right to host the post-season competition.
Based on the attendance figures from Portland State hosting the Big Sky Tournament in 2005, Chisholm expects to draw at least 4,000 fans per night and hopes to eclipse 5,000 Viking fans in the Rose Garden for each night of action. And if Chisholm’s plans to underwrite student tickets come to fruition, 500 Portland State students will attend the tournament cost free each night.
While Portland State has seen a recent spike in attendance, specifically with the men’s basketball game selling out against Weber State on Feb. 16, Chisholm said drawing fans is still an issue-and one he does not completely understand.
“I’ve been very disappointed with our fans,” Chisholm said. “We’ve been playing high-level basketball. And everyday we talk around the office about what we need to do in marketing, but, at some point, they need to support their team.”
If the Vikings squeak out one more victory to earn the right to host the Big Sky Tournament and defend their home floor with a conference title, Chisholm will be one step closer to achieving an aspiration for Portland State athletics.
“One of my goals is to set a pattern of participating in the NCAA’s at least once every four years,” Chisholm said. “The Big Sky (championship) is just a step to where we want to be. The real recognition will come if we go to the NCAA Tournament.”
