PSU has four players averaging in double figures: Harriel, Odum, Tapscott, and Jones. Harriel is only a sophmore. He is the only, significant, current player on the Vikings team that will have the chance to play in the post-season.
PSU is a decent team. They have good athletes and a couple of really good shooters. There is also a lot of speed on this team. They can get up and down the floor quick. One real weakness is their experience. They are a fairly young team, with a lot of new faces. However, by this point, that really shouldn't be a huge problem. However, transition D hasn't been a high point for the Cats this year. However, The Cats have been fairly adroit when they get out and run the floor. This game might turn into a track meet.
Greiving is solely in charge of this team. Last year, he had to contend with the three headed dragon of Waters, Jones, and Thomas. Yes, they were talented, but they really didn't play well with others. There was a lot of show boatin, but very little chemistry. Now its his team. They aren't as talented as last season, but so far, they are playing better with one another, and most importantly, they still have a good deal of talent.
Odum, Jones, and Harriel each can go off for 20 on any given night, and Tapscott, one of the best 3's in the sky is a dangerous shooter. To beat the Vikings, Weber has to be tougher, limit TOs, and get good looks inside the paint. Weber needs to counter the Vikings speed with their own speed and passing abilities. Weber's best bet of opening up the outside, would be by forcing the ball inside. That scares me a bit, since Morris has terrible hands and Mahoney isn't 100%, but I think our Bigs are getting better and playing with more confidence. Also, the guards need to take the ball to the hole. Get the inside/outside game going and Weber should leave Portland with a W. If the Cats don't take care of the ball and play soft perimeter defense...this game could get out of hand fast and early. Weber can't wait till the second half, they must play 40mins.
Weber has to counter the Vikings speed by slowing down the Viking offense. Playing a soft half-court trap and mixing up the defense could be a great way to slow down the vikings. However the best bet would be to use the match up zone the Cats used against BYU and NAU. That should really limit the Vikings and slow down their offense. Speed is their biggest asset. Rahe will do everything in his power to make the game ugly. However, Weber should be able to score some points against PSU. Their defense isn't strong, better than last year, and has allowed teams with outside shooters, to get hot, and to score in bunches. Personally, on the offensive end, Weber needs to move around (the players cant be standing around waiting for things to come to them, they need to go to the ball), pass the ball with zeal, and get on the offense glass. The Cats can't play the first half, like they did against the Bengals (even though I don't think the Bengals are as bad as advertised, that team has the potential of being good).
