Men’s basketball preview

It may be a rebuilding year for the Portland State University men’s basketball team, but with a bunch of fresh faces and new recruits, it’s still shaping up to be an exciting year.

The Vikings lost three key contributing players from last year’s team, but have brought in a slew of new talent, including four transfer players, a red-shirt junior, and one true freshman. Second-year head coach Tyler Geving, a long-time assistant under former coach Ken Bone, admits he made some mistakes in his first year, but is feeling much more comfortable with his role this season.

“I put a lot of pressure on myself, a lot of expectations,” Geving said. “Relaxing is a big thing. I was a little tight last year, and I think that rubbed off on the kids.”

Portland State lost senior guard Dominic Waters, who was a second team All-Big Sky selection in 2009–10 and led the team in scoring. Waters had been one of the team’s best players over the past few seasons, and his leadership and experience will surely be missed in the locker room this year.

“When Dom was good last year, we were really good,” Geving said.

The Vikings will also be without their top two rebounders from last season, losing big-men Julius Thomas and Jamie Jones to graduation. Jones was a first team All-Big Sky selection and was a force all season inside for the Vikings, leading the team with 7.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. Jones also set a Portland State single-season record for most blocked shots, with 75.

Thomas was an all-around forward who averaged 10.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, and was an all-conference tourney selection last season. In 2009–10, Waters, Jones and Thomas accounted for 55 percent of the team’s scoring, 49 percent of the rebounds, 57 percent of the assists and 77 percent of the blocked shots.

Coach Geving will have a lot to replace this year. Fortunately, the Vikings will be returning five seniors and three starters from last year’s team, including a prospect on the national radar, 6-foot-8 swingman Phil Nelson.

Nelson started 20 games for the team last season before missing the rest of the year with a broken foot, but the sharpshooting forward is 100 percent healthy this year and is certain to improve on his already productive stat-line (12.9 points and 3.3 rebounds per game, with 48 three-pointers made). Now that Nelson is in his senior season and the leading returning scorer, a lot more will be expected of him.

“He’s got to lead by example,” said Geving. “He’s not a big vocal leader, but I expect him to play hard and come to practice with a positive attitude, because when he brings it and does what he’s capable of doing, then we have one special player on our hands.”

“I’m excited,” Nelson said. “I’ve never really been known to be the vocal type, but I want to try and take on a new role. The first thing is doing it on the court and working hard every day.”

Guard Melvin Jones will return to the starting lineup as well. The 5-foot-10-inch senior combo guard led the team in 3-pointers made with 81, shooting 42 percent from beyond the arc, and averaged 11.8 points per game.

Senior swingman Paul Guede is another returning starter, although more of a role player, he’ll be looking to expand his role this season. Guede started all but one regular season game for the Vikings last season and is perhaps the team’s best defender, regularly assigned to guard the opponent’s best player.

Portland State brings in a number of highly touted transfer players. Junior JC recruit Terry Coleman could move into the starting point guard spot. The 5-foot-11-inch Coleman played at Sullivan County CC in New York last year, where he averaged 14.1 points, 6.9 assists, 7.6 rebounds and 2.6 steals per game.

Forward Chehales Tapscott will try to compensate for the Vikings’ losses up front. The 6-foot-5-inch man showed quickness, athleticism and a physical mentality on his way to winning the 2009–10 NWAACC South Division Player of the Year at Clackamas Community College. He put up impressive numbers in the postseason for Clackamas with 28 points and 32 rebounds in a first-round game, then 26 points and 21 rebounds in a winning effort for the NWAACC championship.

Charles Odum, a 6-foot guard originally out of Lakewood, Calif., averaged 11.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.8 steals per game for the College of Southern Idaho last season. Odum will likely begin the season as the first guard off the bench, and will bring tenacity and a much-needed defensive presence on the perimeter.

“Defense and competitiveness,” says Odum. “That’s what I was recruited here to do and that’s what I’m going to do. It’s about team unity. If I’m talking loud, saying I got your back, then other guys will yell and say they got mine.”

Even with a new-look roster, Portland State expects to be one of the Big Sky’s highest scoring teams, but their primary concern will be improving on the defensive side. The Vikings led the regular season with a team scoring average of 80.7 a game, but gave up an average of 79 points a game, finishing sixth in the Big Sky with a record of 7-9 in league play and 13-19 overall.

However, with all the incoming talent adding an unknown element, the Vikings may become the dark horse team in the conference this season. Although Portland State is not eligible to qualify for the NCAA Tournament or the NIT this season because of academic violations from the past few years, the team isn’t letting that damper its expectations.

“Players had the opportunity to leave, but none of them did. That says a lot about our guys,” Geving said. “It’s going to make us a better team. I think we have a bit of a chip on our shoulder. So maybe we can ruin some (opponent’s) seasons and we can go out and win the league. We still have that to play for.”

“Every game is still a big game,” adds Geving. “And our guys are excited and ready to go compete every single night.”

Portland State will play their first game of the season on Nov. 12 at home against Pepperdine. ?