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Men's basketball is ready to take to the Big Sky

It is a season of opportunity for the Portland State men’s basketball team. The Vikings will enter the 2004-05 campaign as one of the favorite teams in the Big Sky Conference for the first time since the program was brought back for the 1996-97 season.

It may sound a bit far-fetched, considering last year’s 11-16 record, but the preseason accolades aren’t just hype. Consider the facts:

• Portland State was the most improved team in the Big Sky Conference last season and 25th most improved in the nation—winning six more games than the previous season.
• The Vikings return six senior letter winners, including four starters. In addition, the recruiting class is loaded with players who can start right away.
• Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year and first team
• All-League choice Seamus Boxley will lead the Vikings, along with top scorer Blake Walker, also an All-Conference pick.
• The Vikings have already been picked by one national publication to finish second in the conference.
• PSU has been chosen to take part in an ESPN Bracket Buster game next February.
• Portland State will play its most significant home schedule in five seasons with 14 home contests in the Peter W. Stott Center.

Third-year head coach Heath Schroyer (pictured at right) believes that a breakthrough will come this year. His team had most of the elements of success in 2003-2004. Portland State led the Big Sky Conference in rebounding margin (+5.4) and field goal percentage defense (.427) and ranked second in scoring defense (67.5). Meanwhile, PSU improved offensively, increasing its scoring average by nine points and its shooting percentage from .405 to .449 over the previous year.

The Vikings will return with 83 percent of their scoring and 76 percent of their rebounding from last year through seniors Boxley (6-7, F, 14.8 ppg, 9.4 rpg), Walker (6-5, G, 16.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg), Antone Jarrell (6-6, F, 8.6 ppg), Will Funn (6-2, G, 7.7 ppg, 4.0 apg), Sheu Oduniyi (6-3, G, 7.6 ppg), and Bob Kaladokubo (6-9, C, 1.7 ppg, 1.4 rpg).

Adding to that is the return of redshirt junior Keith Sconiers (6-7, F) and redshirt freshman Marier Angui (6-11, C).

When Schroyer went on the recruiting trail following last season he knew his needs included outside shooting and depth.

Those desires were amply filled in juniors Jake Schroeder (6-2, G, Snow JC, 15.5 ppg, 92 3-pt FG), Josh Neeley (6-2, G, Salt Lake CC, 10.0 ppg, 5.3 apg), Tyler Hollist (6-7, F, Snow JC, 13.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg), and freshman Scott Morrison (6-11, C, Argyle HS-B.C., 20 ppg, 15 rpg). Late additions Paul Hafford (6-4, G, N. Idaho JC) and Dan Stock (5-10, G, USAFA) may also provide a contribution in the coming year.

“We had some glaring weaknesses, but we addressed them in the recruiting process,” says Schroyer. “Our statistics showed our perimeter shooting was a weakness and we turned the ball over too much. Jake fills the hole we had with our shooting, and Josh is a great ball-handler and shooter.

“We really needed a versatile forward who can stretch the defense too, and Tyler fits that need. I’m also very excited about Scott Morrison. Anytime you get a guy with that kind of size and ability as a freshman, it’s a huge bonus.”

Portland State enters the 2004-05 year with everything it could want: experience, depth, size, shooting, defense, and complementary inside and perimeter players. The key will be maximizing the returning players’ abilities while creating a harmonious integration of the five new players who have the skills to contribute right away.

“We came here wanting to build a program,” Schroyer says. “I am starting to feel like the pieces are now in place to do great things. Now, we need to sustain our program and make positive progress every year.”