M: at Portland State

[SDHornet]

The Hornets (7-4) head up the coast to play Portland State (4-7) this weekend to tip off Big Sky play. The Vikings are coming off of a home win over CSU Fullerton, but were on a 5 game losing streak prior to that. PSU has been on the wrong end of a lot of close games this season so I’m expecting this game to be a close one.

The Vikings have some size and balance and are led in scoring by forwards Cameron Forte (15.2 ppg, 7.8 rpg) and Isaiah Pineiro (12.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg). A pair of guards are also averaging double digit scoring and it looks like the Vikings go deep into their bench every game.

Comparison: Hornets - Vikings
Points/Game: 76.1 - 75.8
Rebounds/Game: 37.5 - 37.7
Assists/Game: 16.9 - 17.0
Turnovers/Game: 12.1 - 12.8
Points Allowed/Game: 69.6 - 75.9

 

[josephpoint]

The hornets have experienced success at Portland State in the recent past and need to take care of business on the road in Portland and all Big Sky venues away from hornet Gym. Play Hornet basketball on the road in the nearest venue 450 miles away tomorrow and then much further beyond that this year and it will be a great Road to Reno where the Hornets will be the local team.

Go Sac State!!

 

[mattman_121]

We have won 2 in a row at Portland State after losing seven consecutive.

Portland State does have a couple of local kids on their team. Isaiah Pineiro played at Placer High School and one year at Sierra College. De'Sean Parsons played at Grant High School.

One thing to watch out for is how well Sac State does on the defensive glass, so far this year they have been very bad and offensive rebounding is a strength of Portland State (mainly Forte and Spickerman).

Bryce White has been back for the last couple of games for Portland State after being hurt and Braxton Tucker is out for the season.

Forte is their man scorer (left handed) and he does all his work on the block, he shoots practically every time he touches the ball. He forces a lot of shots and turns the ball over a ton. A lot of his points come off of offensive rebound putbacks. If you can keep him off the offensive glass you can shut him down. He didn't start the last game against CSU Fullerton and that has given more opportunity for Pineiro who played really well, he is undersized but very skilled down in the low post.

On the perimeter their guards haven't played well this year and they have shot the 3 ball very badly. The transfer Robinson has been their only reliable 3 point shooter this year.

On defense they play a man to man that likes to pressure the ball in the half court although they don't turn people over much.

This is a really important game for Sac State because they have the always tough Montana road trip looming. Montana is probably the second best team in the conference, especially with Mario Dunn being back, and Montana State is playing good this year, although looks like they might start conference play 0-2 (currently down at the half).

 

[The Green Hornet]

The Vikings are 2 point favorites, but USA Today has the Hornets ranked 212th and PSU 280th; could be a close one. I think the Hornets take it if they stay out of foul trouble and can keep their best players on the court for the entire game.

Doesn't look like Hornsby dressed; that's not going to help.

Hornets trail at the half by only 33 to 25, but it seems like we should be down by 20. Graves can't hit anything; Barlett is keeping us in it - Graves should just pass off to him. Barlett w/9, Strings w/7 and Eric S. w/5.

Demps isn't playing now either since about mid-first half and didn't start the 2nd half. Wu isn't playing much either; wonder what's going on? The flu? PSU can't shoot now, so the Hornets are back in it and trail only 36 to 33 at under 16.

Under 4 minutes to go and the Hornets trail by 5, 58 to 53. It's amazing we've been able to tie them a couple times without Hornsby, Demps or Wu playing.

Hornets lose their conference opener 76 to 68 to the Vikings. Too much fire power on the bench for Sac St and we could never get the lead and really struggled to keep pace w/them. A lot of good playing time experience tho for several who don't play that much; may come in handy later. I think we'll pound them at the Nest on Jan. 23rd tho.

 

[sacstateman]

Demps tried his best to go but couldn't shake whatever he's got...Wu played some in the second half but wasn't too effective...tough loss...I hope whatever kept Nick out is not serious as he didn't dress but he was on the bench...Demps was definitely sick as I believe Wu was too...Eric, Dreon and Justin did everything they could to keep us in the game...I don't think Marcus was completely well either (he looked a step slower than usual)...You're right about the other guys getting valuable experience, Trevis and Jiday played the most minutes of their careers and looked pretty good too....back to the drawing board....

 

[sacstateman]

Well, according to Katz, Demps has a nagging injury...He and Wu looked a step slow last night as did Graves...

 

[josephpoint]

Tough loss.

hopefully the team is 100 percent on the trip to Montana.

The Hornets seem to get off to a very slow start in the first half and then pour it on in the second half. Be great to see the team get off to better starts in the first half and continue doing well in the 2nd as they seem to do game after game.

So Hornets!!

 

[SDHornet]

That sucks to hear about the injuries/illnesses hitting this team right as BSC play is kicking off. I didn’t get to watch this game but figured it was a winnable game since it’s the easiest roadie in the BSC (logistically speaking). Tough loss.

Hornets have a rough stretch with the Montana road trip this weekend followed with Weebs coming to town. It’s more than likely the Hornets start BSC play with a 1-4 record. Pretty big hole to dig out of. :|