One-bid leagues can often carry some of the greatest elements of college basketball on their back these days. Regionality aside, these conferences realistically only have one shot at sending a team to the big dance, so every game counts. Especially at the onset of February, and nearly halfway through the 18-game conference slate in the Big Sky, one team leads the pack.
That would be the Portland State Vikings, who, under now fifth-year head coach Jase Coburn, sit undefeated in conference play in sole possession of first place. That’s a testament to the job Coburn and company have done in the Rose City. They’ve created a culture of continuity and development in a new college basketball landscape where players don’t always stay in one place to work on their game to build something like this.
Currently sitting atop the Big Sky as one of 10 teams in the nation undefeated in conference play. The Vikings are fresh off a road sweep, which saw them secure wins at Eastern Washington (65-61) and Idaho (69-66) last week. Both games were closer than the Viking staff would have liked. But thanks to star forward Terri Miller Jr., who had strong performances in the closing minutes of each game, the team returned home with a pair of Ws. The Vikings also managed to end a nine-game losing streak at Eastern Washington, one that dated back to the 2014-2015 season.
“We are a really resilient group,” Coburn said to KATU in a recent interview. “Every time (there is adversity) this team responds and figures out a way to get it done. Idaho is really good, we have nothing but respect for them.”
Portland State continues to create milestones while overcoming adversity. Though their success shouldn’t have come as a huge surprise to fans and onlookers alike, as the building blocks were laid last year. When the program enjoyed a third-place finish in the Big Sky standings, finishing the year 19-13 overall with an 11-7 conference record.
Not only was that the best record and finish of the Coburn era, but it was also one of the program’s best finishes in well over a decade. The Vikings continue to improve each year under Coburn, so after a busy offseason in which the team managed to retain its top two players and welcome a slew of incoming talented transfers. In year five, the sky was the limit.
Media and opponents also took notice. As the Vikings were predicted to finish second in the Big Sky Preseason poll, only behind the favorites, Montana, which returned Sixth Man of the Year and Preseason Player of the Year Money Williams to lead its own fairly new cast of characters. Meanwhile, Portland State had three players grace the Preseason All-Conference list in Miller Jr., Jaylin Henderson and Tre-Vaughn Minott.
All three players arrived in Portland and found starting roles in Coburn’s squad after transferring in from bigger programs. The Vikings have been led by former Louisiana Tech teammates Miller Jr. and Henderson for two seasons now. Both landed in the Rose City for a new beginning of sorts at Portland State. With high-major skill sets in their repertoire, both saw minimal action in the Bulldogs’ system. And after following in Lewis and Clark’s footsteps heading west, I’d say that was the absolute right decision.
After some offseason development, Miller Jr. a returning Second Team All-Conference honoree, has become a frontrunner for Big Sky Player of the Year. Arriving in Portland with a rare but keen playmaking ability as a 6-foot-8 post player, his assist totals have increased this season (4.1 APG), but so have his turnovers at 3.4 a contest. Luckily, he shares those duties with his former Bulldog teammate, so he can focus on grabbing boards and scoring buckets. With the occasional dime out of the post are at the top of the key as an added weapon.
Miller Jr. has also recently displayed a newfound shooting ability this season. As the Fresno, California, native is shooting an impressive 41.7% from deep on 72 attempts on the year. That added element to his game makes him a troublesome defensive assignment, or, as his head coach described him to KATU, “a matchup nightmare.”
It sure does round out his game nicely and leads to stat lines as we saw against Sacramento State earlier this month, where he posted a 14-point, 10-rebound and 13-assist performance. Only the third triple-double in PSU history, but something Miller Jr. knows well, as the second triple-double in Vikings history also belonged to him. Which came last year with his 11 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assist in 17 minutes against Norwest Indian College.
The second half of Portland State’s two-headed scoring attack, Henderson is incredibly fun to watch, with a 47-inch vertical leap, he displays high-major athleticism when he attacks the rim and in open space. The Wichita, Kansas, native returned to Portland State after a junior year campaign where he led the team in scoring (13.0) and formed one of the most tenacious duos in the Big Sky with Qiant Myers. This season, he’s elevated his game in almost all categories. With the departure of his backcourt teammate, he now shares those playmaking duties with big man Miller Jr., while averaging 6.3 APG (2nd in the conference).
Henderson also leads the team in steals at (1.7 SPG) and trips to the charity stripe with 5.6 a game (shooting 81%). Finding most of his scoring success within the arc, he’s logged six 20+ point performances, including dropping thirty-four in a 95-90 OT win in Ogden at Weber State back on New Year’s Day. He’s a part of a balanced scoring attack which could see a twenty-piece come from several different players on any given night.
Though this team’s offense embodies every bit of their mascot’s namesake. Coach Coburn’s teams have also become synonymous with defensive intensity and full effort, too. As the Vikings currently lead the Big Sky Conference in scoring margin, rebounding margin, field goal percentage defense, blocked shots amd turnovers forced. A big part of that success perhaps belongs to their returning big man in the middle, a piece of the puzzle they almost had to plan to be without.
A hugely under-the-radar piece of roster news over the offseason was the granted waiver for one more season of eligibility for Tre-Vaughn Minott. The reigning Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year, Minott joined only two Viking alumni in winning that honor, the first since 2007-2008. And like his fellow preseason honorees, the 6-foot-10 Montreal, Quebec, native has elevated his game while also continuing to hammer down the rock with gusto every chance he gets.
Minott has also broken the double-digit scoring seal, averaging a career high 11.6 PPG while he currently leads the league in boards with 8.8 RPG. Posting five double-doubles on the year, including a rare 23 points and 20 rebounds performance in Portland State’s 96-69 win over Sacramento State.
The Vikings have only lifted conference hardware four times in their 29-year lifespan in the Big Sky. Currently experiencing a bit of a title drought, having last cut down those fabled nets in 2009. Yes back when James Cameron released the first Avatar movie.
Portland State now entrench themselves inside The Ship for something real Vikings didn’t face often, an invading force. Coburn’s squad will make a three-game homestand, starting against the visiting Montana on Thursday and Montana State on Saturday. As league leaders, with both the Grizzlies and Bobcats chomping at their heels and sitting in second and third place, respectively. This may be the most important week of the Vikings’ schedule all season.
Defending Viking Pavilion has become a part of this team’s identity under Coburn. The Vikings currently sit 7-1 at home this season with a 31-4 record at home over the last three seasons. That includes a 15-game winning streak inside the Viking Pavilion in Big Sky play (tying a school record set during the late nineties). A streak that the Grizzlies nearly derailed themselves last season. Back when they traveled to Portland and took the Vikings to OT but fell just short 79-76 behind a brilliant double-double from Miller Jr. (21 points and 11 rebounds). Williams dropped 36 points of his own in that game, with 33 coming in the second half and overtime.
All good things must come to an end, but for now these players are enjoying the run and staying grounded while doing it.
“This is one of the closest teams I’ve ever been on,” Henderson said. “We all like each other. Nobody has a problem with anyone. And that’s off the floor, but when it comes onto the floor, it’s times 10.”
And as the national attention begins to heat up, the Vikings keep a cool head.
“Be where your feet are,” Henderson added. “That’s how I was always taught. Once you start looking too far ahead — what you’ve done or what you’re about to do — you get distracted.”
They’ll finish their last home game against Idaho State on Monday to kick off the month of February.
Larry Muniz is a Mountain West Basketball beat writer for Couch Potato Sports along with West Coast mid-major coverage at Mid-Major Madness.
