Gearing up

After losing in the second round of the Big Sky Conference tournament last year, the Portland State men’s basketball team hopes that returning talent and great depth will guide them on to a Big Sky championship.

With Friday marking their first practice of the season, the Vikings’ six returning members (three starters) will try to build on a 19-13 record, one of the best in the program’s 11-year history.

And the returning players definitely have something to build on. Small forward Dupree Lucas was the 2007 Big Sky newcomer of the year, while center Scott Morrison was ranked as the conference’s top shot blocker. Although forward Deonte Huff didn’t get too much recognition in terms of conference awards, he was one of the most improved Vikings by season’s end.

Quickness and depth, two keys to any team’s success, are at the forefront of the Vikings’ specialties.

“I like our depth,” said head basketball coach Ken Bone. “We have depth at every position, we have a lot of guys that could start, which means we’ll have great guys coming off of the bench. We also have good quickness, guys that can get up and down the court.”

However, Bone knows that great team speed yields other basketball fundamentals.

“One thing that we were good at was rebounding and that wasn’t because our biggest guy was getting them, but because how quick we got to the ball,” Bone said.

The Vikings’ late-tournament loss to Weber State last season whetted the appetite of the team, ensuring that each member’s eyes are on the prize this year.

“I think we can compete with anyone in the league,” Bone said. “If we can put it all together, get everyone to accept their roles and work hard, then we can win a championship.”

The loss of senior forwards Paul Hafford and Juma Kamara will affect the Vikings’ success from beyond the arc. The two accounted for 145 three-point field goals and held a combined 38.6 percent field goal percentage. Bone expects Huff and some of the new bodies to shoulder the three-point line void left behind by the former Vikings.

Huff, now a senior, is expected to pick up where he left off last season. After starting for most of the year and not producing impressive numbers (10.7 points per game, 5.6 rebounds per game), Bone decided to put him on the bench.

The demotion served Huff and the team well, as the athletic wing averaged 18.2 points, 9 rebounds and 71 percent shooting percentage from the arc in the final six games from the bench. His high-flying energy will be an attribute the Vikings plan to lean on heavily.

Probable starting point guard Jeremiah Dominguez, a transfer from the University of Portland, will also heave up a lot of three-pointers. His quickness, exceptional passing and shot off the dribble will be a welcomed addition to Bone’s stacked roster.

The Vikings’ most pressing issue is filling the forward spot opposite Huff. With forwards like Julius Thomas, Tyrell Mara, Kyle Coston and Alex Tiefenthaler, another transfer from the University of Portland, will compete for the unoccupied position. Thomas saw the most time last season, but could be considered more of a reserve to spell Morrison at center.

Bone’s expectations are high for this group, especially his seniors.

“The guy I look to step is probably Scott [Morrison]. He is a four-year guy and a senior. He had a really good summer with the Canadian team,” Bone said. “Anytime you’re a senior you’re expected to step it up and play your best ball.”

Notes: Senior J.R. Moore (6’8″, 255 lbs.) will be another big body to play minutes at center. Brian Curtis, walk-on Mickey Polis and Andre Murray will play both point guard and shooting guard. Tiefenthaler and Murray will not be available for games until next term to adhere to NCAA transfer eligibility rules.