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Scott Morrison

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forestgreen

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Viking Veteran Morrison Hopes For The Other Bookend To His Career:

http://www.goviks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?temp_site=NO&DB_OEM_ID=19300&ATCLID=1357987

As he embarks on his final tour around the Big Sky Conference, Portland State center Scott Morrison would love to have a matching set of bookends for his Viking career.

The senior from Vancouver, BC came to Portland State as a freshman in 2004-05. He spent the majority of that season as the starting center on the Vikings’ first-ever Big Sky Championship team. Portland State went 19-9 that year and 11-3 to win the Big Sky title. As a complementary player on that team, Morrison averaged 5.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and blocked 29 shots.

“I had seen the team’s record before (I came to Portland State),” said Morrison. “I didn’t even expect to play (as a freshman). We had a bunch of seniors who knew how to get the job done. They worked hard and showed everyone else how to work hard. They were the ones that set the tone my freshman year.”

Now, in his fourth and final year at Portland State, Morrison is more than complementary. In fact, he is a team veteran and leader. Last year, the 6-11, 250-pounder had increased his output to 11.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and blocked a school-record and Big Sky-best 70 shots. The Vikings contended in the Big Sky, going 19-13 overall and finishing fourth in the conference standings.

Along with Morrison’s growth in the Viking program – he is Portland State’s all-time shot-blocking leader (147), and is on pace to rank in the top ten all-time in games played, points and rebounds – he has become a key player for his native Canada. This past summer, he was selected for the second time to play for Team Canada at the World University Games. Morrison anchored a team that took the bronze medal, scoring 15 points and grabbing 13 rebounds in the third-place game against Japan.

Fast forward to the first week of 2008 and Morrison sees the need to be a key player on this Viking team. His play will have a big impact on whether he gets the other bookend - a second Big Sky Championship trophy.

Portland State hasn’t been as consistent as it would like through the preseason, but have picked up some quality wins. Morrison is averaging 10.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, one block and shooting .619 from the field. Now 7-7, 0-1 in the Big Sky Conference, they open league play at home on Thursday against Sacramento State.

“Does (this team) have it? Is it here today or tomorrow? No.” said Morrison. “But it can be there in a couple of months. My freshman year we didn’t make March Madness (by losing the Big Sky Tournament). So, that would be my goal and the ideal way to close out the season and end my career.”

Basketball is a team effort, so in order for Morrison to achieve that goal he needs help from returning starters Deonte Huff, Dupree Lucas and new point guard Jeremiah Dominguez.

So far, Huff has been the most consistent Vikings, averaging 12.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per games.

“He works hard and that’s what it is,” said Morrison. “He goes out and wants the ball on offense and defense. He gets most of his (points and rebounds) on just aggression and hard play. He’s able to be among the top players in the Big Sky.”

Said Morrison of the Vikings’ first-year point guard: “I think ‘Miah is a phenomenal ball handler and he really disrupts guards in the full court.” So far, Dominguez has proven that by leading the Big Sky Conference in steals (27) and the Viking team in scoring (12.5) and assists (3.4).

Morrison knows the Vikings will be one of the teams to beat as Big Sky Conference action heats up this month. Portland State, along with Montana and defending champion Weber State, have been tabbed as the favorites in the league title chase.

“Coach Bone is a lot more offensive-minded and we are able to put a lot more points on the board. Each player has a little more individual freedom,” he said. “Coach (Heath) Schroyer kind of held the reins a little tighter.”

Morrison also likes that, although he is the only fourth year player on the team, teammates like Lucas (three years) and Huff and Dominguez (two years), have now been in the system a while.

The basketball future of Scott Morrison will be determined in the next few months. But right now he has his eyes on the other bookend to wrap up his Viking career.
 
I still think his back is hurting him and he's playing a little soft because of it. I don't think there's that much loss of passion, but he's tiptoing around as if he's afraid the back will give out. He's got a ruptured disc back there, you know. Soft? Wasn't that him that stepped in and took that charge against SJS? He may just be saying the heck with it and taking his chances. I could be wrong about all of this. /users/31/07/37/smiles/171132.gif
 
Defcon1 said:
I still think his back is hurting him and he's playing a little soft because of it. I don't think there's that much loss of passion, but he's tiptoing around as if he's afraid the back will give out. He's got a ruptured disc back there, you know. Soft? Wasn't that him that stepped in and took that charge against SJS? He may just be saying the heck with it and taking his chances. I could be wrong about all of this. /users/31/07/37/smiles/171132.gif
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If his back is hurting, I'd totally understand the timid play. However, there were some mixed signals coming out around the time that they sat him down for the L&C game. Bone said it was to rest his back, then Scott said his back was fine. Now Bone is saying in the paper (a repeat of what he'd indicated he told Scott prior to the season) that it's time for him to step up. I wouldn't think that he'd make those comments if Scott were suffering with a back problem. Who knows, I could be way off.

I do know this... Scott should have size again tonight against Sac State just as he did against SJSU. I'd like to see a healthy dose of the ball going into Morrison. When he has size and can get the ball down low he can usually shoot around 65% from the field and with those numbers I'd rather see him put up 16 shots, rather than just 6 shots. Once they double, he's got the ability to pass and we'll find the open guy.
 
Scott's back is just fine, and has been all season.
He had a herniated disk last year, and should have red-shirted, imo.
However, there was a lot of pressure (both subtle and overt) to play, and he did so, feeling obliged to PSU and his teammates, particularly having been made captain.
He played hurt all last year, including getting 2 cortizone injections, fyi. We all should give Scott more credit for guts and courage, as he certainly wouldn't mention it, given how humble he is. However, his teammates know what he did for them.
Then Coach Bone pulled his stunt bringing AW back, confusing the team (incl. Scott), and Bone destroying the team chemistry that was developing during the pre-season games - and leaving Scott feeling "screwed."
 
martymoose said:
If his back is hurting, I'd totally understand the timid play. However, there were some mixed signals coming out around the time that they sat him down for the L&C game. Bone said it was to rest his back, then Scott said his back was fine. Now Bone is saying in the paper (a repeat of what he'd indicated he told Scott prior to the season) that it's time for him to step up. I wouldn't think that he'd make those comments if Scott were suffering with a back problem. Who knows, I could be way off.
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As GustaViking has posted on here previously, Bone doesn't actually talk to his players. It's really nice of Bone to talk to his players through the media. I'm thinking of buying Scott a subscription to the Oregonian so he can find out what his coach is thinking and expecting - without having to read his mind. /users/31/07/37/smiles/269784.gif
 
Exactly Johnny. Also, I'm sure Scott really appreciated being pulled and basically benched for the rest of the second half, just as he was starting to get his offensive game going - having started off the second half scoring 5 points, and staring to feel confident. That's the way to let him know you're behind him and support him, Ken !!

Particularly on his 22nd Birthday, with his brother, his mother, and his Grandparents having flown down to be there on his birthday and for this game. Smart thinking, Ken.

P.S.: Happy Birthday, Scott
 
Is it possible that Bone pulled Morrison to give his back some rest - given that we were well out ahead by the break?
 
Monsieur Frinque: /users/31/07/37/smiles/784240.gif Just so you know, Scott's back is not bothering him, and Scott wants to play 28 to 34 mins. a game, every single game (incl. Lewis & Clark, for the record). He feels better the more he's in the game, and he wants to post a double-double every night, incl. tonight. He is a team player and a leader, so he's not going to say anything. But he hates seeing the other starters still get 5 to 10 minutes or more playing time than he does - which still happens even against weaker teams or when the game is in the bag, incl. tonight. He doesn't understand it, and it hurts, given what he'd like to do, and what he's done for this program.

However, he's a team player first and foremost - to a fault, many of us feel, as we'd all like to see him be more selfish - but he's not going to say much about it, as the team success matters more to him. However, he, and most others I think, believe the team is much stronger with him out there playing big minutes. Ken Bone obviously doesn't, which says everything I think needs to be said about Bone's coaching abilities
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Scott has always been a winner, because he makes the players around him better, and the team a winner by his presence. However, it can be frustrating (and it certainly always has been for me) that he doesn't demand the ball more, and be more selfish. But you can't argue, imo, with the team results he's achieved by his selfless play.

Again, though, I can tell you he dearly wanted to play 25 or 30 mins., and put up a double-double on Sac. State, and would have loved to personally "pad" his stats. and his average, and his career points. It hurts him inside, even though you may not see it on the outside. Scott doesn't often let you glimpse inside, or show his emotions, which is why he may appear to many of us that he's not intense or wanting to win. Trust me, he cares hugely - and his teammates know it, and look up to him. But Bone's been jerking him around for almost 3 years now (and now in the media), and we can only hope it will stop.
 
I know were talking about basketball play, and this season. But how a bout a College degree between those bookends. What's his GPA? Profesional BB looks out of the question in the U.S. at least.
It would be nice to see alumni, FANATICS, etc... care more about the kid's education then what we can "suck" out of him now.

Good luck Scott, don't listen to people who haven't been in your shoes!~!
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Very well said. I'm not sure exactly what his GPA is (around the 2.5 to 2.8 range, I think), but it is "okay." Regarding graduation, Scott will not have enough credits to graduate. He will be about 2 courses (6 credits ?) short of graduation come June 15th. This is due in part to playing 4 years straight through without any red shirt year, and to not attending school in the summers while he worked and played basketball for Canada. Another reason I feel a red shirt year would have been in Scott's best interests. These players miss a huge amount of school with the travel requirements from November through to March, including often missing the last week or week and a half prior to exams in December and March. Most carry only the NCAA minimum of 3 courses to stay eligible during the season, as it would be very difficult to take more than that unless you are a very good student....which most of these players are not. That means that you would not be able to graduate in 4 years.

Almost all of PSU's men's basketball student athletes that I know of during the past 5 or 6 years have been "5 year students," having been JuCo transfers, or red shirting 1 year (including Seamus). As you know, this program has very few players who come out of high school (hopefully that will change, but I've seen little change in that in Bone's tenure).

Regarding Scott, hopefully he will pick up the necessary credits for graduation over the next few years, while playing basketball professionally..which is his plan. Obviously, graduation is in his best long term interests, and for PSU and the program as well, as I gather they lose scholarships if their graduation rate drops too low. Another reason I don't understand why Bone and his staff don't pay more attention to their players academic performance and can't believe their lack of interest or care in their players schooling.

I also wish Scott the best of luck, and he has been a great young ambassador for PSU and Canada.
 
DesertHawkeye said:
I know were talking about basketball play, and this season. But how a bout a College degree between those bookends. What's his GPA? Profesional BB looks out of the question in the U.S. at least.
It would be nice to see alumni, FANATICS, etc... care more about the kid's education then what we can "suck" out of him now.

Good luck Scott, don't listen to people who haven't been in your shoes!~!
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I, for one, care a great deal about such issues. Getting a degree from PSU should be the primary concern of all recruits, with interest in everything else coming second. Besides, athletics alums who feel a connection to the school as opposed to just the team or coach, are far more likely to stay involved as boosters later on in life.
 
Most college students today do not graduate in 4 years. (I didn't graduate in 4 years!) The fact that Scott will be only two courses short from graduating after only 4 years is tremendous considering he has been playing basketball. He could easily complete his degree this summer.
 
VikThunder said:
Most college students today do not graduate in 4 years. (I didn't graduate in 4 years!) The fact that Scott will be only two courses short from graduating after only 4 years is tremendous considering he has been playing basketball. He could easily complete his degree this summer.
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He could, but it's doubful he will. I think the plan is to attend as many tryout camps as possible, and try and find "a job" (if that's what you call playing basketball for a living /users/31/07/37/smiles/269784.gif ). This will take a lot of time and effort, and likely not leave much time for school, right now. A lot of the European teams want their players over there in early August, so there's a lot to do from mid-June to August.
 
Johnny Canuck said:
VikThunder said:
Most college students today do not graduate in 4 years. (I didn't graduate in 4 years!) The fact that Scott will be only two courses short from graduating after only 4 years is tremendous considering he has been playing basketball. He could easily complete his degree this summer.
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He could, but it's doubful he will. I think the plan is to attend as many tryout camps as possible, and try and find "a job" (if that's what you call playing basketball for a living /users/31/07/37/smiles/269784.gif ). This will take a lot of time and effort, and likely not leave much time for school, right now. A lot of the European teams want their players over there in early August, so there's a lot to do from mid-June to August.
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Actually he could probably finish his degree on-line from Europe. He should definitely play in Europe if he gets the chance.
 
It's great to hear that Morrison is such a good student/athlete. Maybe he can find a team in Europe after college.
Now all I ask of you Vikings is that you stop pounding us Pilots in BB Please?
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