| 10 March 2011
The Portland State Vikings will take on Seattle University tonight in Seattle, marking the final game of the season and the last time five seniors will suit up, leaving a young and potential laden team full of promise for head coach Tyler Geving.
The Vikings stand at 13-16 overall but their record to end this season has little to do with what the team has actually achieved and progress made.
Just two seasons ago, the Vikings were poised to enter Oregon basketball legitimacy after the team made it through the Big Sky tournament and into the big dance, the NCAA Tournament. But NCAA investigations and alleged player academic issues caused the team to be penalized with ineligibility for NCAA tournament and any postseason play for a two season span.Despite such a debilitating decision, Geving has been able to attract solid local recruits and keep the squad motivated and competitive. Getting this group of players and recruits to buy in to Portland State's long term pa is no small feat for Geving and his staff, as it would be so easy for them to throw in the towel after the harsh NCAA decision.
There have been many sore points for the Vikings this season including the four game road losing streak at the beginning of February and the early season blow out loss to Southern Methodist University. They have managed just one win on the road this season.
Yet, the positives far outweigh any failures the Vikings have experienced.
Senior Melvin Jones’ inspiring personal triumphs makes his in game leadership, three point shooting (38.6% and 68 total 3 pointers made on the season) and leading the Vikings in scoring numerous games, that much better. Averaging the most minutes per game and starting all but one of his 29 games played, Jones went from drifter to team leader and has plans to go to grad school after his time at Portland State University.
Then there is Chris Harriel , the dynamic sophomore guard that scored 23 in the Vikings 102-98 victory over Lamar early in the year and the team leader on defense with 40 steals on the season. And Paul Guede, the senior out of London, England (who may still return to play another year of eligibility) who had several big rebounding games including a career high 8 against Southern Methodist.
The Vikings average 72.0 points per game and as a team, shoot 43.6% from the field.
Over all, the year for Geving and those that return next year serves as an excellent stepping stone back to relevancy. There have been many big wins, great close games the Vikings have closed out well, and a resiliency displayed game after game revealing a team that will never give up.
Whether Portland State wins or loses their last game of the season tonight is now beside the point.
With a young core group of young men seemingly willing to buy into coach Tyler Geving’s system and many new and returning players, tonight may indeed serve as just the beginning for this team.
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